Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt announced in a statement on Monday, December 16 that he has instructed the Department of Public Safety to begin the procurement of C-UAS detection systems.
Governor Stitt has directed Tim Tipton, Commissioner of Public Safety and Homeland Security Advisor, to immediately begin procuring mobile C-UAS detection systems to support state and local law enforcement, giving them the ability to detect and identify UAS activity.
Whilst he recognized the positive impact drones and UAS have in Oklahoma, Governor Stitt emphasized the need to “ensure Oklahomans are protected from those who would use this technology to harm others.”
Commissioner Tipton noted the “unsettling” nature of the widely-reported recent drone activity in New Jersey and around the US. He noted that Oklahoma itself has only reported a handful of incidents, but that this procurement of mobile C-UAS detection systems allows the state to be “ready in case the need arises.” He further emphasised that he is “glad Governor Stitt takes this threat seriously and will equip the Department of Public Safety adequately.”
Currently, Federal Law classifies drones as a form of aircraft, meaning they are protected from being shot down by local law enforcement agencies without certain permissions. The procurement of mobile detection systems will now allow the Department of Public Safety to monitor and identify UAS without destroying them, and if they are deemed a threat to Oklahoma’s critical infrastructure then appropriate next steps can be made.
This latest move to expand C-UAS capabilities follows from several recent initiatives in the State of Oklahoma, with the Oklahoma National Guard (OKNG) hosting representatives from state, education and the defence industry to discuss C-UAS systems on November 7. Oklahoma is also home to several agencies dedicated to C-UAS, including the Counter-UAS Center of Excellence at Oklahoma State University, and the Joint Counter Small UAS University (JCU) at the Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill.
