FBI to Triple Counter-Drone Training for Local Agencies

During a media roundtable at the Drone Security and SLTT Grant Forum, officials from the FBI outlined new counter-UAS authority, training mandates, and initial operational experiences under the SAFER SKIES Act.

As new federal authorities come into force, the FBI intends to substantially grow its counter-drone training programs for state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) law enforcement agencies.

At a media roundtable held during the November 9 Drone Security Industry and SLTT Grant Forum, FBI representatives covered the agency's training initiatives, the authorization workflow, and early experiences in supporting local counter-UAS activities.

The event took place at MGM National Harbor in Maryland and was organized by the White House Task Force on the 2028 Summer Olympics, DRONERESPONDERS, and the Commercial Drone Alliance. It assembled federal officials, public safety leaders, and industry figures to address drone threats, funding, and readiness.

FBI Expands Counter-Drone Training

The FBI’s National Counter-UAS Training Center (NCUTC) is ramping up its ability to train public safety staff in counter-drone mitigation techniques.

According to statements made at the roundtable, fewer than 100 individuals completed the program last year. For the current year, the FBI aims to run 10 classes, each accommodating 32 participants, which will raise the annual training capacity to roughly 320.

Yet, boosting training capacity is just one element of the expansion. The FBI also requires a larger number of eligible agencies to finish the accreditation process before they can send personnel through mitigation training.

Officials stressed that SLTT agencies can already aid airspace security through drone detection and ground-based response teams, even if they lack mitigation authority.

How SLTT Agencies Obtain Counter-Drone Authority

The SAFER SKIES Act, passed as part of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act, extended counter-UAS authority to eligible SLTT law enforcement and correctional agencies.

Federal regulations putting that authority into practice became effective on July 1, 2026. This framework sets out requirements for agency accreditation, personnel training and certification, approved equipment, operational approvals, and federal oversight.

During the roundtable, FBI officials explained a process that includes complimentary introductory training, agency accreditation, and documented operating policies. Agencies seeking mitigation authority must also undergo additional specialized training and satisfy equipment and operational standards.

Officials described the approval process as flexible, enabling agencies to create operational plans tailored to specific security needs. An approved operational plan can remain valid for up to one year, with the option to renew. One example discussed involved protecting a correctional facility from an approaching drone.

The FBI stated that SLTT agencies had carried out approximately 60 counter-UAS operations with federal support since July. Officials also highlighted an ongoing partnership to share operational experience and enhance training and procedures. Each FBI field office has a counter-UAS coordinator to assist with these efforts.

Balancing Drone Security With Public Safety

FBI officials stressed that counter-drone operations must consider the potential consequences of mitigation actions.

"We don’t want the cure to be worse than the disease," one official said, describing the importance of selecting responses that do not create additional risks for surrounding communities.

The FBI also discussed its method for evaluating drone threats. Officials noted that drones encountered during security operations typically had not displayed signs of malicious intent. "We did not detect any with a nefarious purpose or intent to hurt people," an official said, while emphasizing that airspace protection remains important.

The agency is integrating lessons from major-event security planning into future operations. Officials described ongoing reviews of security experiences from the FIFA World Cup and stated that interagency coordination will remain central to preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

As the FBI expands training and supports more SLTT agencies, officials anticipate that local counter-UAS capabilities will continue to grow.

"The FBI is in a full court press on counter drone," an official said.