Back in May I wrote that I thought expanding law enforcement drone use would become "a hot topic" for independent operators this year. It's happening faster than I expected. On July 1, a new DOJ/DHS rule quietly went into effect implementing the SAFER SKIES Act. For the first time, state and local police and corrections agencies — not just federal agencies — can get certified to detect, track, and in some cases disable or seize a drone they consider a credible threat near critical...

Three things happened in the drone world over the past few weeks that every commercial operator should have on their radar. First, Part 108 — the BVLOS rule we've all been waiting on — finally moved to OIRA for final review on July 10. That's the last stop before publication. OIRA's targeting a July release, but their review window can run up to 90 days, so I wouldn't be surprised if this slips into late 2026 or even early 2027. I've been telling clients not to build business plans around a...

In the past year, I've seen a shift in the regulatory landscape regarding drones. It has shifted from a "warn and educate" policy to a "enforce and deter" policy. There have been new layers added to the existing regulations, namley the "DETER" program, instituted in January of 2026. "DETER" stands for "Drone Expedited and Targeted Enforcement Response" and "supports President Trump’s Executive Order on Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty, which calls for stronger enforcement of drone...