US Recalibrates Drone Security with New Counter-UAS Policies

Homeland defense strategy shifts to more proactive and empowered defense against drone threats

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The U.S. government is rapidly updating its approach to drone security, moving beyond outdated protocols to a more proactive and empowered defense strategy. Recent events, including a misidentified threat over Fort Bliss involving party balloons and a temporary FAA airspace closure near El Paso, have underscored the urgency and complexity of this evolving challenge.

Why it matters

The new counter-UAS strategy represents a significant shift in authority, empowering commanders to take defensive actions beyond traditional installation boundaries to protect assets and personnel. This change reflects the recognition that the U.S. has lagged behind adversaries like China in drone production and deployment, prompting a major $1 billion investment in the 'Drone Dominance Program' to rapidly field hundreds of thousands of weaponized drones by 2027.

The details

A key element of the new strategy is a shift in command authority, allowing commanders to 'unambiguously apply their authority to mitigate threat UAS.' This move away from restrictive rules towards a more flexible, responsive defense posture is formalized in a Department of War (DoW) Fact Sheet. The Pentagon's 'Drone Dominance Program' aims to rapidly field these new capabilities, with the first phase, 'The Gauntlet,' beginning on February 18th at Fort Benning, Georgia. Detecting and identifying drones remains a significant challenge, with small, inexpensive UAVs presenting difficulties due to their minimal signatures and potential for autonomous flight. To address this, the FBI has established the National Counter-UAS Training Center (NCUTC) to train state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies, while the Army's Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF 401) is streamlining governance and accelerating the delivery of innovative solutions.

  • The first phase of the 'Drone Dominance Program,' called 'The Gauntlet,' began on February 18th, 2026 at Fort Benning, Georgia.
  • In December 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) updated its 'Covered List,' prohibiting the import of UAS and critical components from certain countries.

The players

Department of War (DoW)

The U.S. government agency responsible for formalizing the new counter-UAS policy in a fact sheet.

Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF 401)

An Army task force playing a crucial role in streamlining governance and accelerating the delivery of innovative solutions to address drone threats.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

The U.S. government agency that updated its 'Covered List' in December 2023 to prohibit the import of UAS and critical components from certain countries.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

The agency that recently tested a 20-kilowatt directed-energy LOCUST laser weapon at Fort Bliss, demonstrating the potential of these technologies for counter-UAS operations.

National Counter-UAS Training Center (NCUTC)

Established by the FBI at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, to train state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies in drone detection, identification, threat assessment, and coordinated response.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The Pentagon expects to field hundreds of thousands of weaponized, one-way attack drones by 2027 as part of the 'Drone Dominance Program.'