Fortem Technologies has received a multimillion-dollar order to provide counter-drone protection for U.S. venues during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as part of a broader Department of Homeland Security effort to secure the tournament.
The company will deploy its net-equipped DroneHunter interceptors to detect, intercept and capture unauthorized drones operating near match venues. According to Fortem, it is the only kinetic counter-UAS system selected under the Department of Homeland Security procurement for the event.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, organized by FIFA, will be the largest in the tournament’s history, featuring 48 teams competing across 16 host cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Eleven U.S. cities are scheduled to host matches between June and July, with more than one million international visitors expected to attend.
Fortem previously deployed its systems during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. For the 2026 event, the company’s package will include its DroneHunter interceptor drones, TrueView R30 ground-based radar units for detection and tracking and SkyDome command-and-control software to coordinate responses.
Small commercial drones have increasingly been identified by security officials as potential tools for surveillance, disruption or attack, particularly in densely populated venues such as stadiums. Countering such threats in crowded environments presents challenges, as traditional mitigation methods such as signal jamming can interfere with legitimate communications, while kinetic systems risk generating falling debris.
Fortem’s DroneHunter system uses a net-based capture mechanism designed to disable and remove drones without destroying them in midair. The approach is intended to reduce the risk of debris falling into crowds and to avoid interference with stadium communications networks.
The award forms part of a wider Department of Homeland Security investment in counter-drone capabilities ahead of the World Cup and events linked to the United States’ 250th anniversary. In January, DHS announced the establishment of a new Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Counter-UAS, alongside $115 million in counter-drone funding.
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Post Image Credit: Fortem Technologies
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