DHS Has Limited Capabilities to Counter Illicit Unmanned Aircraft Systems

DHS’ capability to counter illicit UAS activity remains limited. On November 8, 2018, the former DHS Secretary issued an internal memorandum calling for a uniform approach to DHS’ expansion of its C-UAS capability under the Preventing Emerging Threats Act. The Secretary assigned the Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans (Office of Policy) as the Department’s lead over components with authorized C-UAS missions (United States Secret Service, United States Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, and Federal Protective Service). The Secretary instructed these components to not take any actions toward C-UAS expansion until the Office of Policy completed a uniform approach for doing so.