Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Test Bed Program

Test Bed Program Overview

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Requirements and Capabilities Analysis (RCA) Office has established its first two Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) technology test beds at Miami International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport. These test beds will be used to assess C-UAS technology effectiveness and suitability in operational airport environments.

The test beds are continuously testing, validating, and verifying C-UAS technology effectiveness and suitability in field settings. The test beds are constantly evolving to mitigate UAS threat changes and variations in the technology marketplace.

Test Bed Program Objectives

TSA’s C-UAS technology testing cycle enables TSA to employ a variety of technology solutions across multiple operational testing environments in order to evaluate and compare system effectiveness under varying conditions.

1

Determine the effectiveness and suitability
of C-UAS technology by validating
and verifying technologies performance in
differing airport environments and
comparing against vendor claims.

2

Identify the most crucial operational factors
in determining technology effectiveness,
to further requirements development and
communicating enhancements to vendors.

3

Develop an annual C-UAS Security
Technology Catalog to summarize current C-UAS
commercial marketplace options, operational
testing data, and emerging market trends.

Selecting Technology for Assessment

In selecting equipment for testing, TSA considers suitability based on the multimodal capabilities it is responsible for protecting, including aviation environments, surface transportation venues, and critical infrastructure. The C-UAS test beds will be continuously refreshed with new C-UAS technologies to keep pace with the rapidly evolving UAS technology market and threat.

Vendor Engagement

Please direct all vendor engagement inquiries to: TSA_UAS@tsa.dhs.gov

 

C-UAS Technology Working Group

Co-chaired by TSA and the FBI, the C-UAS Technology Working Group (WG) was established with a formal charter under the UAS Executive Committee UAS Security Senior Steering Group. The WG’s 30+ member agencies include DOD, DOJ, FAA, and all appropriate DHS agencies. The WG’s 160+ members collaborate to help ensure that interagency and industry stakeholders have access to and share technology testing results, share resources, and establish C-UAS technology testing standards across the interagency. This increased information sharing will also help ensure data is interpretable and useable for stakeholders.

Objectives of the C-UAS Technology Working Group:

  1. Develop a common strategy for standardizing testing in multiple operational environments.
  2. Establish a standardized process for sharing testing data across the interagency.
  3. Establish a standardized process for establishing C-UAS technology test beds that meet interagency requirements.
  4. Develop a standardized process for disseminating requirements to industry to facilitate the rapid growth of C-UAS technology.

U.S. government partners who have equities or relevant experience in the C-UAS Technology WG objectives may reach out to TSA_UAS@tsa.dhs.gov to request to learn more about the WG or become a member.

C-UAS Security Technology Catalog (In Development)

TSA will develop and disseminate a C-UAS Security Technology Catalog which will include the following information:

  • Tested attributes and deployment considerations
  • Effective range, probability of detection, probability of false alarm
  • Installation and operational guidance
  • Speed of operation, data accessibility and storage
  • CONOPS recommendations

Once published, the catalog will be updated annually and shared with appropriate stakeholders.

Surface Transportation Security Technology Catalog

TSA has developed a Surface Transportation Security Technology Catalog (STSTC) which highlights security technologies applicable for surface transportation and public area applications. Updated annually, the STSTC consists of evaluation summaries for products that have been laboratory and field tested by TSA since 2007. The STSTC is intended as a resource for TSA and its stakeholders that enables a greater awareness of technology and helps decision makers to make more informed technology investment decisions.

The 2022 Catalog contains: 15 years of technology assessment data from lab and field testing; 37 summaries from Security Technology Demos since FY16; 45 Commercially Available Technologies; 28 Legacy Systems.

To request a digital or hard copy of the Surface Transportation Security Technology Catalog please email: TSAMPAC@tsa.dhs.gov