Anti-Drone Systems: What Works at Every Protection Level | Airsight

Anti-Drone Systems: What Works at Every Protection Level | Airsight

The United States is pouring more than $4 billion into counter-drone capabilities in 2026 alone. The Department of Homeland Security has launched a dedicated Program Executive Office for UAS and Counter-UAS, FEMA is distributing$500 million in counter-drone grants to state and local agencies, and the Pentagon just completed safety testing on a high-energy laser designed to shoot down drones from the ground. Anti-drone systems are no longer a military niche. They are becoming standard infrastructure for airports, stadiums, prisons, and law enforcement agencies across the country.

We believe the organizations that invest in the right anti-drone system now will be the ones best positioned when the next threat materializes. But choosing the right system requires understanding what each technology does, how systems are layered together, and how much protection your facility actually needs. This guide breaks down anti-drone systems by function, protection level, and cost, so you can make an informed decision backed by the same framework we use to help our own customers.

What Is an Anti-Drone System?

An anti-drone system is any combination of technologies designed to detect, track, identify, and, where legally authorized, mitigate unauthorized unmanned aircraft. The term covers everything from a single RF sensor mounted on a rooftop to a full-spectrum command-and-control platform integrating radar, cameras, radio frequency analyzers, and electronic countermeasures.

The distinction between detection and mitigation matters more than most buyers realize. Detection means identifying that a drone is present and tracking its location. Mitigation means actively stopping it, whether by jamming its radio link, spoofing its GPS signal, capturing it with a net, or disabling it with directed energy. Under US law, only federal agencies and newly authorized state and local law enforcement can legally operate mitigation equipment. The SAFER SKIES Act, signed into law as part of the FY2026 NDAA, expanded these authorities to state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies for the first time, but with strict requirements for federal training and certification.

For most organizations, the practical starting point is detection. You cannot defend against what you cannot see. A detection-first approach builds the situational awareness foundation that makes mitigation effective if and when it becomes legally and operationally appropriate.

Types of Anti-Drone Devices by Function

Anti-drone devices fall into two categories: sensors that detect and effectors that respond. Understanding each type is critical for building a system that matches your threat profile.

Detection technologies include:

• Radio Frequency (RF) sensors analyze the radio signals drones use to communicate with their operators. RF detection is the most commo