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Sports Leagues Back Bill Allowing Police to Disable Drones at Stadiums
The NFL, MLB, NCAA, and NASCAR are supporting a new bipartisan bill in Congress, the DEFENSE Act, which would grant state and local law enforcement the power to disable unauthorized drones at major sporting events. Currently, only federal agents can take such action at select high-profile events like the Super Bowl, leaving thousands of games without immediate protection.
Introduced by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV), the bill aims to prevent potential threats, including drones carrying explosives or biological weapons. The NFL alone reported over 2,800 drone incursions in 2023, with multiple games disrupted by unauthorized drone activity. The legislation would apply to events with over 30,000 attendees, such as NFL, MLB, NCAA Division I football games, and major auto races.
If passed, the bill would require counter-drone training for law enforcement and establish approved mitigation methods, including jamming, netting, or intercepting rogue drones.
Source
Secret US Drone Flights Over Mexico Target Fentanyl Labs
The US has ramped up secret CIA drone surveillance over Mexico to locate fentanyl labs, a covert program that began under the Biden administration but has been significantly expanded by President Trump.
While the drones are not authorized for airstrikes, intelligence gathered is shared with Mexican authorities. The Trump administration has pushed for stronger action against cartels, deploying more surveillance resources and considering cartel designations as terrorist organizations.
Mexico has expressed concerns about sovereignty but maintains cooperation. Meanwhile, US military surveillance along the border has also increased, and officials indicate that broader counterterrorism measures could be implemented if intelligence sharing does not yield results.
Source
Wichita Police Launches Drone Transparency Dashboard
The Wichita Police Department has introduced the Interactive Drone Transparency Dashboard, a new website that allows the public to track the department’s drone usage citywide.
The initiative aims to enhance public safety and promote transparency by providing access to a map displaying the last 25 drone flights, including flight details and reasons for deployment. Since adopting drones in July 2024, WPD has acquired 10 units to assist in crime investigations and emergency responses, helping officers operate more efficiently while minimizing risks.
Source
Bayraktar AI-Powered Turbo Drone Takes Flight
Baykar has tested the Bayraktar TB2T-AI, an upgraded version of its TB2 drone featuring advanced AI and a turbo engine. The improvements allow it to fly higher (over 30,000 feet) and faster (160 knots) while increasing its payload capacity and endurance.
Equipped with three AI computers, the drone can autonomously identify and track targets, recognize terrains, optimize flight routes, and perform automated takeoffs and landings. The AI also ensures the drone can return to base on its own, enhancing operational efficiency for complex missions.
Source
BYU Develops Low-Cost Radar System to Track Drones
BYU researchers have developed an innovative, low-cost radar-based drone tracking system. The system uses a network of small, ground-based radars that work together to detect and track drones in low-altitude airspace. The collected data is combined into a real-time air traffic picture, providing improved situational awareness for drone and piloted aircraft operators.
The technology, which can be integrated with airport radar systems, could help prevent collisions, assist commercial drone delivery services, and enhance airspace management. Designed to be cost-effective and scalable, the system could be deployed in urban, military, and rural settings, ensuring safer drone operations.
Source
Russia Launches Massive Drone Attack on Ukraine
Russia launched its largest drone strike on Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, deploying 267 drones in a massive overnight attack. Ukraine's air force shot down 138 of the drones, while 119 disappeared from radar. The attack caused damage in multiple regions, including Kyiv, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Poltava, and Dnipropetrovsk.
The strike occurred just before the third anniversary of Russia's invasion and amid US-Russia negotiations on ending the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the assault as "aerial terror" and praised Ukraine’s military and emergency responders.
In addition to drones, Russia also launched missile attacks, causing fires and casualties, including one death and multiple injuries in Kryvyi Rih. Zelensky reported that in the past week alone, Ukraine has faced nearly 1,150 drones, 1,400 aerial bombs, and 35 missiles.
Source
Discover More with Flight Reader
Unleash the full potential of your DJI drone flight logs. Flight Reader gives you access to more detailed data than any other app—all while keeping your logs secure and offline.
Try it free today!
The NFL, MLB, NCAA, and NASCAR are supporting a new bipartisan bill in Congress, the DEFENSE Act, which would grant state and local law enforcement the power to disable unauthorized drones at major sporting events. Currently, only federal agents can take such action at select high-profile events like the Super Bowl, leaving thousands of games without immediate protection.
Introduced by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV), the bill aims to prevent potential threats, including drones carrying explosives or biological weapons. The NFL alone reported over 2,800 drone incursions in 2023, with multiple games disrupted by unauthorized drone activity. The legislation would apply to events with over 30,000 attendees, such as NFL, MLB, NCAA Division I football games, and major auto races.
If passed, the bill would require counter-drone training for law enforcement and establish approved mitigation methods, including jamming, netting, or intercepting rogue drones.
Source
Secret US Drone Flights Over Mexico Target Fentanyl Labs
The US has ramped up secret CIA drone surveillance over Mexico to locate fentanyl labs, a covert program that began under the Biden administration but has been significantly expanded by President Trump.
While the drones are not authorized for airstrikes, intelligence gathered is shared with Mexican authorities. The Trump administration has pushed for stronger action against cartels, deploying more surveillance resources and considering cartel designations as terrorist organizations.
Mexico has expressed concerns about sovereignty but maintains cooperation. Meanwhile, US military surveillance along the border has also increased, and officials indicate that broader counterterrorism measures could be implemented if intelligence sharing does not yield results.
Source
Wichita Police Launches Drone Transparency Dashboard
The Wichita Police Department has introduced the Interactive Drone Transparency Dashboard, a new website that allows the public to track the department’s drone usage citywide.
The initiative aims to enhance public safety and promote transparency by providing access to a map displaying the last 25 drone flights, including flight details and reasons for deployment. Since adopting drones in July 2024, WPD has acquired 10 units to assist in crime investigations and emergency responses, helping officers operate more efficiently while minimizing risks.
Source
Bayraktar AI-Powered Turbo Drone Takes Flight
Baykar has tested the Bayraktar TB2T-AI, an upgraded version of its TB2 drone featuring advanced AI and a turbo engine. The improvements allow it to fly higher (over 30,000 feet) and faster (160 knots) while increasing its payload capacity and endurance.
Equipped with three AI computers, the drone can autonomously identify and track targets, recognize terrains, optimize flight routes, and perform automated takeoffs and landings. The AI also ensures the drone can return to base on its own, enhancing operational efficiency for complex missions.
Source
BYU Develops Low-Cost Radar System to Track Drones
BYU researchers have developed an innovative, low-cost radar-based drone tracking system. The system uses a network of small, ground-based radars that work together to detect and track drones in low-altitude airspace. The collected data is combined into a real-time air traffic picture, providing improved situational awareness for drone and piloted aircraft operators.
The technology, which can be integrated with airport radar systems, could help prevent collisions, assist commercial drone delivery services, and enhance airspace management. Designed to be cost-effective and scalable, the system could be deployed in urban, military, and rural settings, ensuring safer drone operations.
Source
Russia Launches Massive Drone Attack on Ukraine
Russia launched its largest drone strike on Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, deploying 267 drones in a massive overnight attack. Ukraine's air force shot down 138 of the drones, while 119 disappeared from radar. The attack caused damage in multiple regions, including Kyiv, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Poltava, and Dnipropetrovsk.
The strike occurred just before the third anniversary of Russia's invasion and amid US-Russia negotiations on ending the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the assault as "aerial terror" and praised Ukraine’s military and emergency responders.
In addition to drones, Russia also launched missile attacks, causing fires and casualties, including one death and multiple injuries in Kryvyi Rih. Zelensky reported that in the past week alone, Ukraine has faced nearly 1,150 drones, 1,400 aerial bombs, and 35 missiles.
Source
Discover More with Flight Reader
Unleash the full potential of your DJI drone flight logs. Flight Reader gives you access to more detailed data than any other app—all while keeping your logs secure and offline.
Try it free today!
