DHS Builds Interagency Counter-UAS Readiness for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is preparing to secure the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, an event expected to bring more than 15,000 athletes and countless fans. Although most events will take place in California, the Olympic torch relay will span all 50 states, broadening the geographic footprint for planning and security. Planning began after the FIFA World Cup, with DHS and partner organizations drawing on lessons from that event, including the value of state and local partnerships, drone mitigation, and command-center hubs. The preparation timeline gives government and industry time to identify capability gaps, but the scale of the event makes coordination across jurisdictions a central challenge.

The reported DHS counter-UAS effort is valued at $1.5 billion, and approximately $250 million in fiscal year 2027 funding is planned to expand state and local capacity. Those figures point to a substantial focus on drone detection and mitigation, but the source identifies no open solicitation or procurement contact. Companies should therefore treat the funding plan as an indication of potential demand—not as a currently available contract opportunity—and monitor agency announcements and relevant state and local procurement channels. Anduril, Booz Allen, and GDIT are identified as awardees in the broader counter-UAS effort, providing an indication of industry participation without establishing a specific new award in this signal.

Agency officials have emphasized that preparation involves more than acquiring technology. Amy Szestak, special agent in charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Office of Administration, said, “We’re already all working together to make sure that LA ‘28 is secure,” noting that relationships are in place to discuss resourcing and event response. She also highlighted a lesson from the World Cup: agencies need plans and communications that bring all relevant participants to the table. For vendors, this underscores the procurement relevance of interoperable data, shared operating procedures, and technology that can fit into multi-agency command and coordination environments—not just standalone detection or mitigation products.

Resource planning and common terminology are additional operational concerns. FEMA is considering how a hurricane or earthquake could constrain resources needed for the Games, and is planning for potential multi-regional resource adjudication. Kim Guymon-Lemoult of FEMA’s Response Directorate described the work as sharing information and codifying plans in advance. Ryan Riccucci, a senior adviser at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said national security events can be more manageable because they are scheduled and may allow specific waivers, while officials also noted that different organizations can use different terms or definitions for the same concepts. Contractors can use this planning window to demonstrate affordable, scalable capabilities that support detection, mitigation, information-sharing, and local readiness across a wide operational footprint.

• DHS is preparing security technology and counter-UAS capabilities for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, building on lessons from the FIFA World Cup.
• The reported counter-UAS effort is valued at $1.5 billion; approximately $250 million in FY2027 funding is planned to expand state and local capacity.
• More than 15,000 athletes and countless fans are expected, while the torch relay will extend across all 50 states.
• Anduril, Booz Allen, and GDIT are identified as awardees in the broader counter-UAS effort; this signal does not identify a new award or open solicitation.
• Agencies are emphasizing coordination, interoperable information, communications, and inclusion of all relevant stakeholders in event planning.
• FEMA is considering how hurricanes or earthquakes could constrain resources and is planning for potential multi-regional resource adjudication.
• U.S. Secret Service officials cite state and local partnerships, drone mitigation, and command-center hubs as lessons from the World Cup.
• Vendors should assess fit with affordable drone detection and mitigation, interoperable data, and capabilities that support state and local readiness; monitor future procurement notices rather than treating planned funding as an active solicitation.