Major Changes to U.S. Drone Regulations - Detection, Tracking and Disabling

The Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), passed by Congress and sent to President Trump for signature as of mid-December 2025, introduces major changes to U.S. drone regulations through the SAFER SKIES Act (Sections 8601-8607).

For the first time, this law allows trained state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies to detect, track, and mitigate (including disabling or seizing) drones that pose a credible threat to covered sites. These sites include:

• Stadiums hosting large events (like NFL games)

• Critical infrastructure

• Prisons

• Major public gatherings (such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup)

Previously, only federal agencies like the DoD, DHS, FBI, and Secret Service held such counter-drone powers.

Local agencies must complete federal training, use only approved technologies, and operate under strict DOJ, DHS, and FAA oversight, with mandatory reporting of actions.

The NDAA also creates new felony penalties, including up to five years in prison for serious drone violations in restricted airspace or using drones to commit other crimes (like delivering contraband to prisons). It establishes the SkyFoundry program to boost domestic U.S. drone manufacturing and tightens restrictions on Chinese-made drones and components for defense uses.

These regulations aim to enhance security amid rising drone incidents but raise concerns for recreational and commercial pilots about operating near protected areas.

Source: DroneXL.co article "NDAA 2026: Local Police To Gain New Powers To Take Down Your Drone" by Haye Kesteloo, published December 15, 2025.