The DEFENSE Act: Drone Protection for Stadiums

The introduction of the Disabling Enemy Flight Entry and Neutralizing Suspect Equipment (DEFENSE) Act on February 20, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle against unauthorized drone activity at major sporting events and mass gatherings. This bipartisan legislation, championed by Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), has united stakeholders across the sports industry for a common cause: safeguarding our stadiums and protecting millions of fans. D-Fend Solutions joins the NFL, MLB, NASCAR, the NCAA, and the SEC in endorsing this important and timely bill.

The Escalating Drone Risk: A Call to Action

Alarming statistics and recent incidents stress the urgency of this legislation:

• The NFL security chief Cathy Lanier reported a 4,145% increase in unauthorized drone incidents during NFL games, from 67 in 2018 to 2,845 in 2023 (ESPN, 2025).
• High-profile disruptions include the January 28, 2024 AFC Championship Game (Baltimore Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs) and a January 11, 2025 wild-card playoff game (Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers).
• Our D-Fend Drone Incident Tracker has documented over 60 stadium-related drone incidents globally over the past four years.

These incidents highlight the urgent need for drone protection for stadiums, as drones can carry explosives or biological weapons, which poses a severe risk to fan safety. Senator Cotton emphasized this concern, stating, “We can’t take the risk of fan lives because some of these drones can be equipped to carry explosives or most chillingly can be equipped with some kind of biological weapon.”

Empowering State and Local Law Enforcement: A Game-Changing Approach

The DEFENSE Act proposes a much-needed significant shift in counter-drone authority:

• Provides a means to extend counter-drone allowances to state and local law enforcement for a wide range of sporting events.
• Covers all NFL, MLB, NCAA Division I football games, NASCAR, IndyCar, and Champ Series races.
• Fosters counter-drone training and the usage of approved technologies.

This expansion is crucial given the limited federal resources available for most games. In 2018, Congress gave specific DHS and DOJ components the authority to counter drones as part of a five-year “pilot” program, a program now in its seventh year without explicitly expanding this authority to state and local law enforcement. Therefore, today, that legislation only cites these select federal law enforcement officials as having the authority to disable drones and limited to very few approved major events like the World Series and Super Bowl. 

This bill intends to expressly equip state and local law enforcement with the tools necessary to protect these events “in real-time, rather than waiting for federal intervention,” as emphasized by Senator Cotton. He stated, “Our bipartisan bill would enable state and local law enforcement to better mitigate threats posed by drones to the safety and security of these high-attendance events.

Integrating Technology and Policy

At D-Fend Solutions, we applaud Senators Cotton and Rosen’s DEFENSE Act as a positive step towards a comprehensive counter-drone policy framework. Our commitment to RF-Cyber, non-jamming, non-kinetic takeover C-UAS technology complements the Act’s goals and spirit, offering:

1. Evaluated safe and effective air-domain awareness and advanced detection capabilities that can identify drone make, model, and operator location.
2. When allowed by complementary or amended existing or future legislation or regulations, non-kinetic, takeover mitigation technology that safely lands rogue drones without collateral damage.
3. Seamless integration with existing security infrastructure, enhancing overall situational awareness.

Holistic Security Strategies for Sporting Events

Beyond drone-related incidents, sporting and entertainment events face a diverse range of security challenges. The DEFENSE Act addresses this by allowing approved counter-drone technologies and training to law enforcement agencies.

Effective safety and security require a holistic approach:

• Threat Intelligence: Leveraging open-source intelligence to monitor known threats and track keyword-based risks tied to sporting events.
• Real-Time Detection: Utilizing modern risk intelligence solutions to identify and assess emerging risks quickly.
• Collaboration: Working closely with law enforcement and federal agencies to enhance overall security efforts.

A United Front for Fan Safety

The DEFENSE Act marks an essential step towards enhancing stadium security and protecting fans from harmful drones. Senator Cotton emphasized the importance of this legislation, stating, “Americans should be able to enjoy outdoor sporting events without fear of drone attacks.” This act aims to create a robust defense against rogue drones while preserving the excitement and integrity of live sporting events.

At D-Fend Solutions, we are committed to working closely with sports leagues, law enforcement, and policymakers to ensure the safety and security of fans worldwide. As the drone landscape evolves, so too does our technology. This continuous improvement ensures that we stay ahead in protecting stadiums and the millions who attend these events, supporting the DEFENSE Act’s mission to empower state and local law enforcement with effective counter-drone measures.