FEMA Opens $250 Million in New Grant Funding for Counter-Drone Capabilities
Why It MattersFederal money for local counter-drone detection widens the monitored airspace around major events and critical infrastructure, tightening constraints on drone and low-altitude operators near those sites.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has opened $250 million in new funding through its Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) Grant program. The grants allow cities, counties and states nationwide to buy counter-drone technology already in use in Seattle, such as drone radar trailers.
FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton said unlawful drones are "a real and growing danger to our communities, critical infrastructure, and major public events," and that the grants will let states and territories build capabilities to detect, identify, track and monitor drone threats before they cause harm.
Washington State and King County had already received tens of millions of dollars in federal funds ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup games. Federal authorities seized hundreds of drones that violated airspace restrictions in World Cup cities, including Seattle. Michael Healander, CEO of Airspace Link, the company that operates the FAA's B4UFly system, said about 700 drones were seized across all locations and that 95% of them were operated by careless or unaware pilots. He said the threat of attacks by terrorists or criminals using drones is growing.
