White House Olympics task force, industry leaders tout drone security planning for LA28

Federal, state, local and industry officials met near Washington, D.C., to focus on counter-drone planning for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and lessons from FIFA World Cup 2026. The forum also highlighted $250 million in FY 2027 C-UAS grant funding now open to all 56 states and territories.

Why it matters: - Large events like the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will depend on drone detection and response to protect spectators, athletes and critical infrastructure. - The forum connected federal policy, grant funding and operational planning at a moment when counter-drone capability is expanding nationwide. - Officials used FIFA World Cup 2026 as a planning model for LA28 security.

What happened: - The White House Task Force on the 2028 Summer Olympics co-hosted the second annual Countering the Threat: Drone Security Industry and SLTT Grant Forum outside Washington, D.C. - DRONERESPONDERS and the Commercial Drone Alliance partnered on the event. - Federal, state, local and industry leaders attended to discuss drone threats, major event security planning and critical infrastructure protection. - The forum focused on keeping the skies safe for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

The details: - Attendees received a briefing on the Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Grant Program. - The program was created under the Working Families Tax Cut Act, signed by President Donald J. Trump. - The grant program provides $500 million over two fiscal years to help communities detect, identify, track and mitigate drones that threaten public safety. - DHS awarded the first $250 million in FY 2026 to the 11 states hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 matches and the National Capital Region. - The remaining $250 million is available in FY 2027 to all 56 states and territories. - The FY 2027 funding expands the focus to lasting nationwide detection and response capabilities. - Speakers included Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, White House National Security Council Senior Director for Counterterrorism Dr. Sebastian Gorka, White House Task Force Deputy Executive Director Nick Forni and FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton. - Representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration, DHS, the Department of Transportation, the Department of War, the FBI, the FCC and FEMA also took part. - Event, industry and regional partners joined the discussions. - FEMA briefed attendees on the FY 2027 C-UAS grant funding opportunity. - State and local leaders shared planning updates, opportunities and available resources. - Participants reviewed operational lessons from FIFA World Cup 2026 on enabling safe drone use while countering threats. - Federal officials discussed the balance between safety, security, economic growth and innovation.

Between the lines: - The forum shows the administration is treating drone security as a core part of its broader “Decade of Sport” planning. - The grant structure suggests a shift from event-specific support in FY 2026 to broader long-term capability building in FY 2027. - The focus on bringing together public safety agencies and industry reflects an effort to turn grant dollars into deployable, local response capacity. - Lisa Ellman, CEO of the Commercial Drone Alliance, said the second-year forum is a pivotal moment for the industry and called for government, industry and public safety to build airspace security that lasts beyond the Olympic closing ceremonies. - Chief Charles Werner, retired director of DRONERESPONDERS, said the forum gave state, local, tribal and territorial agencies direct answers on FY 2027 C-UAS grants and strengthened ties across public safety, federal partners and industry.

What's next: - States and territories can pursue FY 2027 C-UAS grant funding to expand drone detection and response systems. - Federal, state and local partners are expected to keep refining LA28 security planning using lessons from FIFA World Cup 2026. - The White House Task Force on the 2028 Summer Olympics will continue coordinating federal efforts for Olympic-related events. - DRONERESPONDERS and the Commercial Drone Alliance are positioned to keep serving as conveners for public safety and industry stakeholders.

The bottom line: - The U.S. is moving drone security from a niche concern to a central element of major-event planning, with LA28 driving coordination, funding and operational preparedness.**