RF-controlled drones
A radio link carries flight commands from the operator to the aircraft. The onboard flight controller carries out those commands.
C-UASAirborne counter-unmanned aircraft systems
Closing the Gap in America's Vulnerability to RF-Silent Drone Attacks
A Critical Gap in Homeland Drone Defense
Drones have evolved from radio-controlled systems into sophisticated autonomous, RF-silent, fiber-optic, and map-guided threats. Existing C-UAS systems rely on jamming, spoofing, or communication takeover cannot defeat them. Traditional interception creates falling debris, uncontrolled impacts, and catastrophic collateral damage.
Aeros C-UAS airborne platform to close that gap. Persistent Airship-Based Airborne Counter-UAS (PABA C-UAS) is designed to integrate detection, tracking, identification, and capture-based mitigation for homeland security teams protecting major events, airports, and critical infrastructure.
“What we’re using now isn’t going to work in the future.”Markwayne Mullin · U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security
Emerging drone threats to the homeland
The threat evolves faster than the architecture built to stop it.
The risk to a venue or critical facility depends on both the aircraft and the environment where it operates. Security planning has to account for a range of aircraft designs and flight behaviors.
Autonomous and map-guided flightRF-silent and GPS-independent designsFiber-optic-controlled systemsComplex urban airspace
Drone control, navigation, and autonomy
Radio-frequency (RF) control describes how commands reach a drone. GPS guidance describes how it uses satellite signals to navigate. One aircraft can use both.
GPS-guided drones
Satellite signals help the aircraft estimate its location. The flight controller can use that position to follow a planned route or hold its position.
New-generation drones
Newer designs can automate more of the flight onboard. Some rely less on continuous operator input and can use a mix of navigation sources.
Layered sensing
Why conventional defenses can leave gaps
The gap
Many existing tools were designed around a particular signal or aircraft behavior. A system can perform well against one type of drone and still leave gaps when aircraft designs or operating environments change. A detection alert also needs a reliable track and enough evidence to identify the aircraft.
The layered approach
Layered sensing gives teams independent observations to compare. Agencies can evaluate the full process from detection, tracking, and identification through a coordinated, authorized response.
Public statements
Warnings from government officials
Public remarks on drone threats to major events, civilian aviation, and public safety.
November 9, 2026Rethink counter-drone defenses for major events
At the Drone Security Industry and SLTT Grant Forum, Mullin called for affordable counter-drone technology that keeps pace with emerging threats.
You need to stop and rethink what you have completely
Markwayne MullinU.S. Secretary of Homeland Security
November 9, 2026Drone incidents can endanger crowds
Kowalski said federal planning accounts for the risk that a malicious drone incident could trigger panic and endanger people at a large event.
Devin KowalskiAssistant Director, FBI Critical Incident Response Group
November 9, 2026Rogue drones threaten the flying public
Duffy called for closer coordination among federal agencies to address rogue drones and protect civilian aviation.
Sean P. DuffyU.S. Secretary of Transportation
October 11, 2026Drone swarms pose a threat to protective security
In a joint 60 Minutes interview with Director Sean Curran, Quinn discussed how the agency is preparing for threats from multiple drones operating together.
Swarms are a huge problem and a big threat
Matthew QuinnDeputy Director, U.S. Secret Service
Integrated architecture
Elevated awareness, integrated response.
Aeros is integrating an elevated sensing and command system built on an FAA type-certified manned airship platform, with its C-UAS system in advanced engineering and prototype integration.
01
Persistent elevated presence
An airborne platform is designed to place sensing and command above the obstructions that shorten ground-level warning time.
02
Multi-sensor awareness
Radar, EO/IR and sensor fusion are designed to support early detection, tracking and visual identification. Airborne command and control is designed to give authorized teams a shared view of an incident.
03
Non-explosive capture and recovery
Aeros is developing physical capture and controlled recovery to reduce debris risk. Operational mitigation requires the applicable authority and approvals.
- 01Detect & trackElevated sensor geometry
- 02IdentifyEO/IR and sensor fusion
- 03CoordinateCommon operating picture
- 04MitigatePhysical-interceptor concepts
Government solutions
Persistent airborne awareness for public safety.
Aeros is developing Persistent Airship-Based Airborne Counter-UAS (PABA C-UAS) to help federal, state and local agencies protect major events, transportation hubs and critical infrastructure.
Protection scenarios
Solutions by setting
01 / 04
Protecting Airports
Assess how airborne sensing could complement an airport’s existing monitoring. Discuss alert sharing, coordination with airport operations, and airspace requirements for an evaluation.
02 / 04
Public Events
Explore how a shared view of drone activity could support incident command at major sporting events, concerts, parades, and festivals. Review coordination among event organizers and public safety agencies.
03 / 04
Critical Infrastructure
Review how airborne awareness could complement monitoring at energy, water and communications facilities, as well as ports and other transportation sites. Consider how incident reporting would fit existing continuity plans.
04 / 04
Venues
Plan for recurring events at stadiums, arenas, and convention centers. Evaluate how venue security teams could share alerts with local responders and authorized agency partners.
Use cases by organization
Different missions.
A shared need for earlier awareness.
Explore how airborne C-UAS could support your organization’s existing safety, security and incident response plans.
Federal agenciesHomeland and transportation security
Evaluate persistent airborne awareness for transportation hubs, critical infrastructure and major national events.
- Multi-agency situational awareness
- Technical evaluation and integration
State agenciesStatewide readiness and coordination
Plan how state law enforcement, aviation and emergency management can share airspace awareness with regional partners.
- Regional readiness and exercises
- Support for critical sites and events
Local agenciesUrban venues and public events
Assess how an elevated view could support venue security, emergency operations and coordination with authorized partners.
- Major events and dense urban areas
- Incident awareness and escalation
Venue operatorsStadium and arena readiness
Assess how airborne monitoring could fit security plans for stadiums, arenas and convention centers during routine operations and major events.
- Venue readiness exercises
- Alert sharing with local responders
Critical infrastructure operatorsSecurity at essential facilities
Assess how airborne drone awareness could complement existing security at energy, water, communications and transportation facilities.
- Alerts for facility security teams
- Incident and continuity planning
Sporting associationsEvent security across host venues
Plan how leagues, federations and tournament organizers could share drone alerts with host venues and public safety agencies.
- Tournament and season planning
- Consistent escalation procedures across events
LA28 planning scenario
The 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles provide a scenario for assessing how agencies could coordinate airspace awareness across venues, transportation corridors and critical infrastructure.
Major-event readiness
A disciplined path to deployment.
For Los Angeles 2028 and other major events, any deployment remains subject to authorization, evaluation, procurement and interagency planning.
- Now
Advanced engineering & integration
Airship-platform, sensor, command-and-control and interceptor integration.
- Next
Demonstrate & evaluate
Instrumented flight demonstration and federally supervised evaluation pathways.
- Then
Plan & deploy
Authorization, operational planning and procurement for mission-specific deployment.
Agency engagement
From briefing to evaluation.
- 01
Mission briefing
Discuss your mission, the environments you protect and what your team needs to know sooner.
- 02
Technical review
Review sensor integration, command and control, and how your existing systems would receive and share incident data.
- 03
Demonstration planning
Set test objectives for detection, identification, interoperability and recovery safety. Review the approvals needed for a controlled demonstration.
Regulatory references
Aircraft approvals and counter-drone authority
References for agencies evaluating an airborne C-UAS demonstration or planning for authorized operations.
FAA Authorization
FAA type certification covers the approved aircraft design. Demonstration planning should also address the airworthiness of the proposed aircraft configuration and the airspace requirements for the planned flight.
Section 124.9 addresses advance coordination with the Department of Transportation and FAA for covered C-UAS operations. Review the coordination requirements for the proposed activity and airspace with the responsible authorities.
6 CFR Part 124
Part 124 implements the SAFER SKIES Act framework under 6 U.S.C. § 124n for eligible state, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement and correctional agencies. It addresses operator training and certification, authorized technology, operating plans, coordination, reporting, and privacy.
Authorized Technologies List
Identifies authorized technology categories.
Authorized Systems List
Identifies specific makes and models that have completed interagency evaluation, with applicable operating restrictions.
Discuss your agency’s evaluation objectives and proposed demonstration.
InquireAeros C-UAS
Resources
Overview materials and reference links for public safety and homeland security agencies.
01Aeros C-UAS overview
See the video introduction and the operating premise behind Aeros’ airborne architecture.
02Agency evaluation
Review the steps from mission briefing through technical review and demonstration planning.
03Regulatory references
Find official FAA references and the current 6 CFR Part 124 text.
Report unsafe drone activity
Report dangerous or suspected criminal drone activity promptly to local law enforcement. For suspected violations of FAA flight rules, use the FAA’s reporting guidance.
Briefing requests
Start with your mission.
Share your agency, general use case and evaluation timeline. Choose General Inquiry on the Aeros contact page and mention “Government C-UAS briefing.”
Contact Aeros