The persistent threat posed by drones has become a defining challenge in modern-day conflict. Both state and non-state adversaries are increasingly deploying low-cost drones for surveillance, counterintelligence, and even direct attacks, disrupting national and homeland security. This threat is particularly evident along the U.S. southern border where drones are used for activities such as drug and human smuggling. These unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) range from commercial off-the-shelf products to sophisticated, agile systems capable of bypassing traditional security measures.
To counter these evolving threats, federal agencies have embraced Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) technology. Equipped with advanced sensors and other high-tech equipment, C-UAS provides real-time situational awareness, enabling authorities to detect, track, and neutralize drone threats making America safer and stronger.
In early 2025, the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) hosted a landmark event at the 9 Mile Training Center in Sanderson, Texas. Spanning a vast 400,000-acre expanse of rugged terrain, the facility provided a unique environment for testing and evaluating C-UAS capabilities. Nearly 200 local, state, and federal government and industry professionals gathered for the highly anticipated event, united by a shared mission: to confront rapidly evolving drone threats with cutting-edge technology, real-world testing, and indispensable collaboration.
This event showcased the future of C-UAS: a diverse array of drones, command-and-control systems, and advanced sensors, all tested side by side in real-time scenarios. Participants faced new and emerging threats, including first-person-view drones and radio frequency-dark platforms equipped with spoofing devices and mirroring tactics—technologies increasingly employed by adversaries worldwide.
Over the course of the four-week event, teams executed 446 UAS flights, evaluated 25 systems, and ran 830 intensive test scenarios. The resulting data provided insights into system limitations and opportunities for improvement, shaping operational readiness, informing strategic acquisition planning, and accelerating C-UAS innovation.
More than a test, the event promoted partnerships with other federal entities including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), and U.S. Army Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR). The collaborations brought operational expertise, manpower, and specialized assets, enabling the testing of new platforms such as UAS rocket-assisted takeoffs and AeroGuard’s Autonomous Drone Interdiction System, which captures and disposes of UAS threats.
The impact of the event extended beyond the test range. Representatives from DHS, SOCOM, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Customs and Border Protection, and the Texas Department of Public Safety visited the site, highlighting the urgency and excitement surrounding C-UAS innovation.
“As the threat grows more complex, these efforts are critical to national resilience,” said Bede “BJ” Lopez, 9 Mile Program Lead. “By aligning innovation with mission-critical needs and strengthening the UAS defense posture, the program is protecting the homeland—and securing America’s leadership in C-UAS technologies at home and abroad.”
Through initiatives like this, DSS and its federal partners are advancing the frontiers of C-UAS technology, ensuring the United States remains at the forefront of counter-drone innovation and defense.