DroneHunter Gets the World Cup Gig While DJI Gets the Boot: Your Weekly Airspace Tea

This is you Drone Technology Daily: UAV News & Reviews podcast. Fortem Technologies has secured a multimillion-dollar contract from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to deploy its DroneHunter interceptors as the sole kinetic counter-drone provider for the 2026 FIFA World Cup across eleven U.S. host cities, according to Fortem's February 12 announcement. This net-capture system, paired with TrueView radar and SkyDome software, physically seizes rogue drones to avoid debris risks, building on its successful Qatar deployment. Meanwhile, DHS reports testing high-energy lasers and kinetic solutions in El Paso and North Dakota, part of a $1.5 billion counter-drone investment amid rising border smuggling threats. Regulatory shifts dominate: The American Drone Security Act's grace period ended December 22, 2025, banning new Chinese-made drones like DJI models from federal use and FCC approvals, per UCANR and DroneTrust updates, though existing units remain legal. The Federal Aviation Administration eyes finalizing Part 108 rules by mid-2026 for routine Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations, introducing Operations Supervisors and manufacturer compliance declarations, as outlined by DroneTrust. In applications, Austrian ski resorts leverage DJI drones for snowmaking optimization since winter 2025, per AeroMorning, enhancing efficiency in enterprise settings. For consumer and pros, prioritize NDAA-compliant alternatives meeting 60 percent U.S. components. Fortem CEO Jon Gruen notes, "The threat posed by small drones is one of the most consequential shifts in security of our lifetime, but we've proven how to stop it." Safety tip: Always verify Remote ID compliance and scan for no-fly zones via apps before launch. Practical takeaway: Audit your fleet for 2026 compliance and train on BVLOS protocols. Looking ahead, these trends signal explosive growth in secure airspace management, with BVLOS unlocking delivery and inspection markets. Thanks for tuning in, listeners. Come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production—for me, check out Quiet Please Dot A I. For more http://www.quietplease.ai Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.