VirTra to Showcase Drone Defense Training for Corrections at Conference

The simulation-based marksmanship training aims to help officers prepare for aerial threats without relying on live-fire exercises.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 3:39pm

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VirTra, a provider of use-of-force and firearms training simulators, announced it will demonstrate its next-generation Drone Defense Training System for corrections professionals at the American Correctional Association (ACA) Winter Conference in Long Beach, California. The training aims to help officers detect, track, and respond to unauthorized drones attempting to breach facility perimeters or deliver contraband.

Why it matters

Correctional facilities are facing an increasing threat from drones used to smuggle in drugs, weapons, and other contraband. Simulation-based training can help officers prepare for these aerial threats without the risks and costs associated with live-fire exercises.

The details

VirTra's drone defense scenarios simulate realistic drone flight paths, variable distances, low-light conditions, and other environmental factors officers may encounter around secure facility perimeters. The training enables officers to practice visual identification of drone threats, target tracking, and precision marksmanship.

  • The ACA Winter Conference will take place from February 5-8, 2026 in Long Beach, California.
  • According to testimony, there were 479 drone-related incidents at U.S. federal prisons in 2024, up from 23 incidents in 2018.

The players

VirTra

A global provider of judgmental use-of-force and firearms training simulators for law enforcement, military, educational, and commercial markets.

John Givens

The CEO of VirTra.

U.S. Department of Justice

Government agency that provided testimony on the growing threat of drones at U.S. federal prisons.

FBI

Government agency that provided testimony on the growing threat of drones at U.S. federal prisons.

Senate Judiciary Committee

The U.S. Senate committee that heard testimony on the drone threat at federal prisons.

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What they’re saying

“Correctional facilities are facing an evolving security landscape as the use of commercial drones continues to grow, introducing new risks related to contraband delivery and unauthorized surveillance that challenge traditional perimeter defenses.”

— John Givens, CEO, VirTra (GlobeNewswire)

What’s next

VirTra will demonstrate its Drone Defense Training System at the ACA Winter Conference in Long Beach, California from February 5-8, 2026.

The takeaway

Simulation-based marksmanship training can help correctional officers prepare for the growing threat of drones used to smuggle contraband into secure facilities, without the risks and costs associated with live-fire exercises.