# Federal Agencies Coordinate Counter-Drone Testing

On November 9, 2026, five federal departments announced a memorandum of understanding to coordinate counter-UAS technology evaluation, testing, data sharing, and deployment. The FAA has a central role in reviewing aviation safety, including expedited assessments and airspace deconfliction; the agreement does not identify a solicitation, funding amount, contract value, or procurement schedule. Separate related procurement activity includes the JIATF-401 counter-drone IDIQs with a combined ceiling of $4.15 billion and DHS counter-drone IDIQs valued at $1.5 billion.

- Companies offering detection, tracking, mitigation, testing, or integration capabilities can use the MOU’s focus on aviation safety, interoperability, and coordinated data sharing to shape capability demonstrations and proposals.
- The MOU is a market signal, not a contract opportunity. No MOU text, solicitation, or schedule was released, so firms should distinguish the coordination announcement from the separately reported IDIQ opportunities.
- Counter-UAS providers should be prepared to explain how their systems can be tested and operated without compromising civilian aviation; the FAA may recommend mitigations or impose airspace restrictions.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Public Safety, Transportation
**Topics:** Emergency Response, Contracting Vehicles
**Published:** November 11, 2026

### Government Entities
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- Department of Defense (DoD)
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Department of Transportation (DOT)
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

### Vendors
- AeroVironment ()

### Key Quotes
> This agreement builds on the work already underway with our federal partners and establishes a consistent process to ensure counter-drone technologies can be used without compromising aviation safety.
> — Bryan Bedford, FAA Administrator

> You need to stop and rethink what you have completely [and] that needs to be economically feasible, too.
> — Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of Homeland Security

### Sources
- [Five Federal Agencies Agree to Coordinate Counter-Drone Technology, Aviation Safety – MeriTalk](https://www.meritalk.com/articles/five-federal-agencies-agree-to-coordinate-counter-drone-technology-aviation-safety) - MeriTalk
- [Midterm results won’t impact counter-drone efforts, DHS secretary predicts | FedScoop](https://fedscoop.com/dhs-midterm-results-drone-defense-markwayne-mullin) - FedScoop
- [Agencies agree to counter unauthorized drones without compromising civilian safety, under new MOU | DefenseScoop](https://defensescoop.com/2026/11/09/agencies-agree-to-counter-unauthorized-drones-without-compromising-civilian-safety-under-new-mou) - DefenseScoop