DHS Orders Drone-Catching Nets for 2026 World Cup

Fortem Technologies’ DroneHunter interceptor system will be deployed to ‘protect events’ in 11 states.

Jack Daleo

Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 07:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Fortem’s hexcopter-based DroneHunter system uses a net to capture a second drone. [Credit: Fortem Technologies]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has placed a multimillion-dollar order with Fortem Technologies for drone-catching nets and counter-uncrewed aircraft systems (C-UAS) to secure U.S. venues during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This security measure is critical to protect the more than 1 million expected spectators and "high-value targets" from the significant threat posed by malicious drones at the global event.
The DHS order is part of a broader, multi-agency federal investment in C-UAS technologies and expanding legal authorities to detect, track, and mitigate drone threats at major events and across the U.S.

See a mistake? Contact us.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has placed a “multimillion-dollar” order for drone-catching nets that will be stationed at U.S. venues scheduled to host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June and July.

Utah-based Fortem Technologies, the recipient of the DHS order, estimated that more than 1 million spectators will visit the U.S. for the global spectacle, making it “one of the most complex security undertakings” for a sporting event. The company—which was previously enlisted to provide counter-uncrewed aircraft systems (C-UAS) support during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar—said that thousands of people packed into stadiums make “high-value targets” for nefarious actors.