The Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate has joined nearly 200 federal national security experts in a new three-year interagency initiative aimed at countering the growing threat posed by weaponized drones, according to a December 22 DHS press release.
The collaboration was launched during a November summit in Alexandria, Virginia, bringing together representatives from nearly 50 federal agencies to coordinate efforts to counter unmanned aircraft systems.
The initiative centers on Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF 401), which was established in August to protect U.S. military forces abroad while also supporting efforts to secure U.S. airspace, civilians, and potential targets at home. Agencies represented at the summit included the Department of Homeland Security, Department of War, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Aviation Administration, and Transportation Security Administration.
“No one agency can solve this on their own,” Army Brigadier General Matt Ross, commander of JIATF 401, said during the summit.
Daniel J. Tamburello, senior advisor at DHS’ Science and Technology Directorate, said advanced small unmanned aircraft systems have proliferated rapidly in recent years, expanding beyond state actors to include criminal organizations and individual actors.
“The new generations of sUAS represent an extremely serious threat to the homeland,” Tamburello wrote in a blog post following the summit.
According to DHS, the task force will focus on improving communication and data sharing between agencies to enhance situational awareness, track small unmanned aircraft systems, and take authorized actions when appropriate.
The Science and Technology Directorate has conducted counter-drone research and testing for several years, including kinetic mitigation testing in North Dakota, and will share its scientific expertise with federal partners as part of the initiative.
Officials said the effort will also emphasize training for federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies to improve coordination and response capabilities. DHS described the initiative as a whole-of-government approach to addressing drone-related threats in an affordable and sustainable manner.
