Net Capture Counter-Drone System Selected for 2026 World Cup

The Department of Homeland Security has selected Fortem Technologies as the sole provider of kinetic counter-drone solutions to protect U.S. venues during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The primary mitigation tool of this multimillion-dollar order is the DroneHunter® hexcopter interceptor, which utilizes a patented net-based capture system. This approach is designed to safely remove hostile drones from the air without creating falling debris, endangering spectators, or interfering with local communications, making it uniquely suited for dense stadium environments where zero-tolerance for collateral damage is required.

The procurement includes a comprehensive suite of airspace security tools, featuring ground-based TrueView™ R30 radar units for drone detection and tracking, as well as SkyDome® command-and-control software for autonomous response.

Small drones, once considered hobbyist toys, are now recognized by security officials as serious tools for surveillance and disruption. Traditional countermeasures like radio-frequency jamming often fail against autonomous drones and can disrupt legitimate communications, while “kinetic kill” systems pose risks to spectators below. The DroneHunter system avoids these pitfalls by physically capturing and towing the threat away.

The upcoming event is set to be the largest in history, featuring 48 teams across 16 host cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. With over one million international visitors expected, the security operation represents one of the most complex undertakings ever mounted for a professional sporting event.

This multimillion-dollar order follows Fortem’s previous deployment at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, marking the second consecutive time the company’s technology has been tapped for the tournament.
As a leader in airspace security, Fortem Technologies specializes in these rapidly deployable systems, which can be repositioned as the tournament moves across the eleven U.S. host cities through June & July.

This investment is part of a broader initiative by the Department of Homeland Security to bolster domestic counter-UAS capabilities. This includes the recent establishment of a new Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Counter-UAS, backed by $115 million in dedicated funding.

Jon Gruen, CEO of Utah-based Fortem, commented, “It’s an honor for Fortem to once again protect the FIFA World Cup, this time on our home turf. The threat posed by small drones is one of the most consequential shifts in security of our lifetime. But it’s a threat we know how to stop – and we’ve already proven it on one of the world’s biggest stages.”