The Daily Scoop Podcast
Episode: Ahead of the World Cup and Olympics, DHS offers grants for counter-drone tech
Host: Billy Mitchell
Date: November 3, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Billy Mitchell highlights the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) new grant program designed to help states and local governments deploy counter-drone technologies in preparation for major upcoming international events like the FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics. Additionally, the podcast covers a technological milestone: defense company Anduril’s first live flight test of its prototype drone for the Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. DHS Launches Grants for Counter-Drone Technology

(00:18 – 04:35)

• Purpose of the Grants:
  DHS is offering grant funding to non-federal partners (state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, plus first responders) to acquire technology for detecting and tracking unauthorized or malicious drones, addressing growing national security threats tied to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

• Funding & Awards:

  • DHS estimates allocating $250 million in FY2026 to this program, with further funding expected.
  • 12 awards will be given, each with a 36-month performance period.
  • Individual award amounts will vary and decisions will be made within 30–60 days of application.

• Technology Limitations Due to Regulations:
  Awardees cannot use grant funding for “Enhanced Detect, Track and Identification (DTI) systems” that involve intercepting or decoding drone signals due to privacy laws and airspace regulations.

  “Awardees will not be permitted to use the federal funding to purchase what's known as Enhanced Detect, Track and Identification systems…including those that capture, record, intercept, demodulate, decrypt or decode signals between UAS and ground control stations.”
  — Billy Mitchell (02:42)

• Rising Drone Threats:
  There has been an increase in drone-related risks such as surveillance, disruptions, or attacks, prompting the military to ramp up investment in defensive and sensor technologies.

• Risk-Based Prioritization:
  Projects are scored based on the effectiveness of proposed training and equipment, with priority for events of national significance (like the World Cup and Olympics).

  “Funding is allocated to projects based on the risk associated with the project location multiplied by effectiveness of the project.”
  — Billy Mitchell (03:56)

• Legal Background & Broader Funding:
  The grant program was enabled by the "One Big Beautiful Bill" signed by President Donald Trump in July, allocating:

  • $500 million for counter-UAS at the state and local level
  • $625 million for World Cup security
  • $1 billion for Olympics security
  • $450 million for border security under the Stone Garden Grant Program.

2. Defense Technology Update: Anduril’s Flight Test for Air Force CCA Program

(04:36 – 05:59)

• Anduril’s Breakthrough Test:
  Anduril conducted the first live flight test of its drone prototype (YFQ44A) for the Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, which focuses on integrating unmanned fighters with manned jets.

• Significance:

  • Live tests advance knowledge about flight performance, autonomous controls, and mission system integration.
  • Anduril follows General Atomics, who conducted a similar test in August.

• Competition & Next Steps:
  The CCA program is highly competitive, with contracts also awarded to General Atomics, Shield AI, and RTX.

• Strategic Goals:
  The Air Force aims to purchase up to 1,000 CCA drones with fielding before 2030.

• Memorable Quote from Air Force Secretary:

  “This milestone demonstrates how competition drives innovation, accelerates delivery. These flights are giving us the hard data we need to shape requirements, reduce risk and ensure the CCA program delivers combat capability on pace and scale that keeps us ahead of the threat.”
  — Secretary of the Air Force Troy Menk (05:38)

• Role of CCA Drones:
  These “robotic wingmen” are meant to fly alongside manned sixth and fifth generation aircraft to conduct offensive strikes, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On the Motivation for Counter-Drone Grants:

  “DHS estimates that $250 million will be obligated for the program in fiscal 2026 alone and more money is expected to flow.”
  — Billy Mitchell (01:43)

• On the Context of Broader National Security Funding:

  “That legislation also has provisions that pledge $625 million for security and other costs related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and $1 billion for security planning and other costs related to the 2028 Olympics.”
  — Billy Mitchell (04:20)

Timestamps of Major Segments

• 00:18 – 04:35: DHS counter-drone grant program explained, funding specifics, legal limitations, and context of large event security planning.
• 04:36 – 05:59: Anduril’s CCA drone flight test for the Air Force, program competition, and future drone warfare plans.

For more federal government and technology news, visit fedscoop.com.