US DHS to launch environmental assessment of C-UAS nationwide operations

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is due to publish on 7 March 2025 a proposed action for“a Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the Nationwide Operation of Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems.”

The purpose of the Proposed Action is, according to the DHS, to support RDT&E of C-UAS technologies and to deploy C-UAS in operational settings to detect, identify, monitor, track, and mitigate (DIMT-M) (passively and actively) threats posed by UAS, including across the radio frequency spectrum.

“The Proposed Action is needed to enhance DHS’s ability to use C-UAS technologies, monitor emerging threats, protect DHS’s missions, and defend the Nation from UAS threats and malicious activity effectively and reliably,” said the proposed announcement. “The use of C-UAS would support existing and emerging mission requirements of the various Components within DHS and facilitate their services and strategies essential to the Nation’s security, safety, and emergency response.

“Within DHS, the use and application of C-UAS are actively being researched and tested to better understand C-UAS capabilities to support DIMT-M activities. DHS conducts C-UAS activities nationwide, with some recurring in certain locations based on testing and demonstration needs. : Additionally, authorized Components may use C-UAS technologies for operational use, trainings, and demonstrations nationwide, including along the southwest and northern borders. Under the Proposed Action, DHS and its Components would continue ongoing RDT&E activities, but on a nationwide scale. The Proposed Action also includes the nationwide use and operation of C-UAS, outside of a testing environment, to conduct training and operational activities, such as law enforcement and security. The Proposed Action includes all elements related to the training, operation, maintenance, and use of CUAS, including mitigation. This would allow DHS to continue its current testing of C3UAS while also enabling DHS and its Components to use C-UAS in an operational setting to support mission requirements.”