American Drone Leadership Summit 2026: Strengthening Airspace Safety Through Collaboration

Washington, DC — July 31, 2026

At the American Drone Leadership Summit, leaders from across government, industry, and public safety gathered to discuss how the United States can maintain drone dominance while ensuring secure, equitable access to the national airspace. For the public safety community, this year’s event underscored one message above all: collaboration between public and private sectors is essential to protect both critical missions and commercial innovation.

Public Safety at the Forefront

Representing DRONERESPONDERS, Director Chief Charles Werner moderated the breakout panel “The Changing Landscape of Airspace Awareness.”

The discussion brought together experts including Jeff Cole (Hidden Level), Brett Feddersen (D‑FEND Solutions), Grant Jordan (SkySafe), and Chief Cathy Lanier (NFL) — each offering unique perspectives on how evolving technologies are reshaping airspace visibility and security.

Panelists explored how counter‑UAS (C‑UAS) systems are becoming indispensable for protecting sensitive areas and events, while also ensuring that legitimate drone operations — from emergency response to package delivery — can coexist safely. The conversation highlighted the growing need for real‑time situational awareness, data sharing, and interoperable detection networks that empower public safety agencies without stifling commercial progress.

Lessons Learned from World Cup C‑UAS Operations

One of the most anticipated discussions of the day came from the breakout panel “Airspace Sovereignty and C‑UAS Updates,” moderated by Lisa Ellman, CEO of the Commercial Drone Alliance. The panel featured senior leaders directly involved in national‑level airspace security: COL Scott McLellan (JIATF‑401), Steve Willoughby (DHS Program Executive Office for UAS & C‑UAS), Matt Whitehead (White House National Security Council), and Mike Torphy (FBI).

Panelists shared lessons learned from the successful deployment of counter‑UAS capabilities during the FIFA World Cup planning cycle, emphasizing how early coordination, unified command structures, and interoperable detection technologies were essential to protecting high‑visibility venues without disrupting legitimate drone operations. They highlighted how federal, state, and local agencies worked alongside private‑sector partners to establish layered airspace defense, enabling rapid threat identification while preserving continuity for commercial drone delivery and critical public safety missions.

Public‑Private Partnerships: The Path Forward

Throughout the summit, multiple panels echoed a common theme: public‑private partnerships are the cornerstone of a safe and thriving drone ecosystem.

Speakers emphasized that collaboration between federal regulators, local agencies, and private innovators is the only way to balance airspace sovereignty with operational freedom. By aligning priorities, stakeholders can safeguard communities, protect infrastructure, and enable commercial drone delivery — all while preserving the ability of first responders to operate without interference.

A Shared Vision for Safe Integration

For DRONERESPONDERS, the summit reaffirmed the importance of education, coordination, and technology integration across the public safety UAS community. As Chief Werner noted, “Airspace awareness isn’t just about detection — it’s about trust, transparency, and teamwork.”

The American Drone Leadership Summit continues to serve as a vital forum for advancing that vision: a future where drones enhance safety, efficiency, and resilience across every level of society.

About the Commercial Drone Alliance

The American Drone Leadership Summit was organized by the Commercial Drone Alliance (CDA), a leading industry association dedicated to advancing the safe and responsible integration of drones into the national airspace. CDA brings together stakeholders from government, enterprise, and public safety to foster collaboration and policy alignment.

This year’s summit, themed “Drone Dominance and Airspace Sovereignty: One Year Later,” featured panels exploring how technology, regulation, and partnership can coexist to strengthen U.S. leadership in unmanned systems. CDA’s commitment to uniting public and private voices continues to drive progress toward a secure, innovative, and inclusive drone ecosystem.