Accounting Transformation & Controls Director

DroneShield leads response to rising airport drone threats with new counter-drone White Paper and security assessment initiative. White Paper: Best Practices for Counter-Drone Deployment at Civil Airports // PHOTO: DroneShield BY DroneShield DroneShield, a global leader in counter-drone technology, announced the release of its latest White Paper: Best Practices for Counter-Drone Deployment at Civil Airports, alongside a strategic collaboration with SRI Group, an independent aviation security and technology advisory company led by former U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Deputy Administrator John Halinski. The White Paper: Best Practices for Counter-Drone Deployment at Civil Airports, was developed to help airports and regulators worldwide understand the scale of the drone threat, the technology available now, and the best practice frameworks available to address it. DroneShield authored the paper to advance global dialogue and policy on protecting airspace, due to civil aviation being increasingly at risk. But the Company's role does not end with thought leadership. To ensure that airports can take meaningful next steps, DroneShield is partnering with SRI Group to provide independent, vendor-neutral Counter-UAS Threat & Risk Assessments. SRI Group, led by John Halinski, brings unmatched credibility to this initiative. As former Deputy Administrator of the U.S. TSA and a 25-year U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Halinski has overseen aviation security operations worldwide, reformed risk-based security strategies, and worked directly with international aviation stakeholders. Under his leadership, SRI Group developed the Counter-UAS Threat & Risk Assessment platform that delivers the strategic intelligence airport leadership requires to identify critical vulnerabilities, prioritise mitigation investments, and build compelling business cases for counter-drone programs that protect passengers, preserve operational integrity, and address evolving airspace threats. Airports have long prioritised safety above all else, yet the proliferation of drones is creating new and complex challenges in maintaining secure skies. Recently in September 2025, Copenhagen Airport, Scandinavia's busiest aviation hub, was forced to shut down for nearly four hours after unidentified drones infiltrated its airspace. The closure resulted in 77 flight cancellations and 217 delays, causing significant financial losses for airlines through flight diversions, passenger accommodations, and operational disruptions. "DroneShield is doing more than publishing a paper - they are creating a pathway for airports to act," said John Halinski, Principal at SRI Group. "By offering airport leadership access to independent Counter-UAS Threat & Risk Assessments, DroneShield is ensuring that decisions are based on objective data and operational realities. It shows a real commitment to the safety of airports and the passengers they serve." At the upcoming Airports Council World Annual Assembly, Conference and Exhibition in Canada, DroneShield will host SRI Group at its stand, where airport executives can initiate the drone threat assessment process. Qualified leaders will then receive a tailored assessment and recommendation report from SRI Group, providing actionable insights to move counter-drone programs forward. "This is about more than technology, it's about leadership," said Oleg Vornik, Chief Executive Officer of DroneShield. "With the release of Best Practices for Counter-Drone Deployment at Civil Airports and our collaboration with SRI Group, we're not only driving awareness but delivering the tools and insights airports need to protect themselves from aerial threats." Assessments can be accessed at https://droneshield.vesselscale.com/intake-form The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) announced a new partnership with Altana, the network for trusted trade, to enhance supply chain assurance across the Green UAS Certification and Blue UAS Recognized Assessor programs. Axon announced that the Campbell Police Department in California received a groundbreaking waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration for beyond visual line of sight operations as part of its Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program. This approval is the first of its kind to include nighttime operations and allows Campbell PD to fly missions using Dedrone by Axon's cutting-edge DedroneBeyond technology without the need for visual observers. Xplorate has achieved a historic milestone with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) granting approval for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations across an extraordinary 58,000 square kilometers of Queensland's Surat Basin. This new authorization, issued under CASA.BVLOS.0097, represents one of the largest and most complex BVLOS approval ever awarded in Australia, and covers an area larger than the entire country of Switzerland. The 2025 UAS Summit & Expo concluded with record-breaking participation and industry engagement, reinforcing its role as the largest and most influential gathering in the global UAS sector. The event welcomed over 750 attendees, 50 exhibitors and 80 speakers. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) addressed attendees virtually at the 19th annual Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Summit and Expo in Grand Forks. He announced Grand Forks Air Force Base will serve as the home of the new Point Defense Battle Lab, which will play a pivotal role in countering the type of small drone warfare being instigated by adversaries.

AUVSI and Altana partner to bolster supply chain security for Green UAS and Blue UAS programs. BY AUVSI The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) announced a new partnership with Altana, the network for trusted trade, to enhance supply chain assurance across the Green UAS Certification and Blue UAS Recognized Assessor programs. AUVSI President and CEO Michael Robbins announced the partnership during his keynote at AUVSI Defense 2025, emphasizing the need for continued momentum amid the ongoing government shutdown. "Even as appropriations lapse and some government operations are delayed, our industry cannot stand still," Robbins said. "We are continuing to lead where others can't; advancing trusted autonomy, hosting national defense conversations, and forging partnerships that strengthen the U.S. industrial base." Through this partnership, AUVSI will integrate Altana's AI-powered product network directly into the Green UAS program, providing real time, multi-tier value chain verification of National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) compliance for commercial drone platforms. The collaboration supports AUVSI's role as a Recognized Assessor for the Blue UAS program, advancing efforts to de-risk supply chains and accelerate adoption of domestic manufacturing of critical technologies. "Our partnership with AUVSI is a critical step in strengthening American industrial security, accelerating the deployment of trusted, secure uncrewed systems, and building the resilient defense ecosystem and trusted supplier network our nation requires." said Evan Smith CEO of Altana. As AUVSI Defense 2025 convenes defense, government, and industry leaders in Washington this week, the Association continues to demonstrate industry leadership; building partnerships and advancing the trusted industrial base, even as government operations remain on hold.