Company Showcases Role of Remote ID in National Security at Executive-Level Homeland Security Demonstration
Pierce Aerospace Joins Homeland Security Demonstration
Pierce Aerospace took part in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) technology demonstration held July 24–25, 2025, at the CBP Unmanned Technology Operations Center in Summit Point, West Virginia.
The event included senior DHS leadership, component heads, and selected industry representatives. Among them was DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who has pushed for the expansion of C-UAS capabilities across federal and local levels. The demonstration highlighted advanced technologies aimed at addressing the growing risks posed by unauthorized drones.
“It was an honor to participate as the only dedicated Remote ID Provider to the DHS C-UAS Industry Day,” said Aaron Pierce, CEO of Pierce Aerospace. “Secretary Noem and DHS Leadership took the time to engage with us and learn about how we’ve utilized our Remote ID systems as a critical and fundamental layer to achieving success in the C-UAS mission.”
Remote ID as a Key C-UAS Tool
Pierce Aerospace showcased its Remote ID technology, which helps detect and identify drones and their operators. This ability to distinguish between friendly and unknown drone activity is essential in crowded or high-risk airspace.
“Our ability to provide target discrimination is vital, and we successfully demonstrated the value of our capabilities to senior executives alongside some of our C-UAS teammates,” said Pierce. “We’ve been developing these capabilities since 2017 and this event marked a dramatic escalation in the seriousness with which senior government leaders are taking C-UAS. We applaud DHS executives for dedicating an entire day in the field learning how these technologies work.”
The demonstration came shortly after the White House released two Executive Orders: Unleashing American Drone Dominance and Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty. These orders highlight the importance of Remote ID and propose federal grant programs to support law enforcement and other agencies in acquiring drone detection, tracking, and identification (DTI) tools.
Support for Law Enforcement and Critical Infrastructure
According to Pierce, Remote ID is not just a future concept—it is ready now.
“Law enforcement can utilize our Remote ID solutions today. Our sensors and software are core DTI technologies with widespread application in law enforcement, private security, public venues, airports, critical infrastructure, stadiums, and more,” said Pierce.
He added, “Our capabilities aid law enforcement with the interdiction of unauthorized drone operators. And we can do that at low risk without any cumbersome regulations. In the C-UAS stack, our ability to detect both drones and their operators is the primary and most common means of mitigating concerning drones and their operators. We can also help characterize airspace risks, enabling authorized end users to mitigate threat drones via complementary integrated C-UAS technologies. Our Remote ID capabilities are the foundation for C-UAS.”
GAO Report and DHS Contract Reinforce Importance of Remote ID
A June 2024 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO-24-106158) stated, “DHS officials said that Remote ID is a key piece of counter-drone technologies as it enables law enforcement to gain additional threat discrimination around critical infrastructure.”
This federal endorsement builds on earlier momentum. In 2024, DHS awarded Pierce Aerospace a $10 million SBIR Phase III IDIQ contract for Remote ID systems. The agency began deploying the company’s YR1 Remote ID Sensors to support national security missions.
About Pierce Aerospace
Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, Pierce Aerospace focuses on delivering Remote ID technology to support safe drone integration. The company is involved in multiple FAA and ASTM committees and has received funding from the U.S. Air Force and the State of Indiana. Pierce Aerospace was recognized with Techpoint’s Mira Award for innovation and won AUVSI’s Excellence Award for Remote ID.
For more information, visit www.pierceaerospace.net.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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