Chief Charles L. Werner (Ret., Emeritus)
Director, DRONERESPONDERS
Editor-at-Large, Homeland Security Today
The drone race is on—and we’re falling behind. While our adversaries surge ahead, rapidly integrating advanced unmanned systems into their defense and security strategies, the U.S. risks losing critical ground. The stakes couldn’t be higher: unmanned vehicles are no longer just tools—they are force multipliers that can decide the outcome of missions, save lives, and secure our nation’s borders, skies, and seas.
That’s why I’m proud to introduce Homeland Security Today’s newest subject matter vertical: Unmanned Vehicles (UV). This dedicated space will spotlight the latest advances in unmanned aerial, ground, maritime, and subsea technologies, and serve as a technology bridge between innovators and homeland security professionals who need these tools in the field—today.
The pace of innovation is breathtaking:
- Drone swarms capable of coordinated search, rescue, and reconnaissance.
- Drone as a First Responder Programs responding to incidents immediately and making communities safer.
- AI-analytics for real-time threat detection of violence, weapons, and terrorist activities.
- Heavy lift drones capable of logistical movement of equipment and fighting wildfires.
- Long-endurance hybrid UAVs patrolling vast borders, coastlines, and responding to extremely large and difficult terrain.
- Unmanned ground vehicles for response to hazardous materials and to provide multi-discipline tactical support.
- Autonomous maritime craft safeguarding ports, waterways, and shipping lanes.
- Smart Cities integration interconnecting with Smart Cities initiatives.
Our mission is to accelerate the adoption of these game-changing capabilities, close the technology gap with our adversaries, and ensure every agency—from local public safety to federal homeland security—has the knowledge and tools to integrate unmanned systems effectively, responsibly, and securely.
This is more than a new content vertical. It’s a call to action. We have the technology. We have the expertise. Now we must have the urgency.