DPS Secures $3.2M for Drone Mitigation Technology

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has secured about $3.2 million in federal funding to acquire drone detection and mitigation technology ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, when Dallas and Houston will serve as host cities.

The funding was awarded to Texas by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and is intended to strengthen public safety and aviation security efforts tied to large events, according to the department. The new technology will support the Department of Public Safety’s Aircraft Operations Division in monitoring airspace around major venues, critical infrastructure and restricted airspace in Dallas and Houston, as well as other future large-scale events across the state.

The system will be capable of both stationary and mobile deployment, allowing operators to monitor airspace from fixed locations or while moving. The department said the technology will use radio frequency monitoring and federally mandated remote identification signals to identify and track unmanned aircraft systems in real time.

In addition to detection, the system will provide mitigation capabilities intended to safely disrupt or take control of unauthorized drones that may pose a risk to public safety, emergency response or critical infrastructure, the department said. The agency said those operations will be conducted in compliance with federal law and oversight.

The funding comes through the federal Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Grant Program, administered by the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency. The program provides funding to enhance state and local capabilities to detect, identify, track, monitor and mitigate unmanned aircraft systems. For Fiscal Year 2026, the federal agencies prioritized $250 million for states hosting FIFA World Cup events and the National Capital Region.

Department operators will complete specialized counter-unmanned aircraft systems training conducted by the FBI. The training will focus on lawful mitigation operations, use of the system and coordinated response during high-profile events, according to the department.

DPS has not identified a vendor, procurement vehicle or implementation timeline for the new technology.