From Tech Surveillance to Counter-Drone Innovation

In honor of Veterans Day, this special episode of DroneCast celebrates those who serve — not just on the frontlines, but also in the critical missions that protect our nation every day. Host Joe Kearns welcomes DJ Smith, a recently retired 31-year veteran in public safety who served as the Unmanned Aerial CUAS Program Coordinator for the Virginia State Police and now joins Amazon Global’s SPEAR STT organization.

From his early days experimenting with drones to becoming a national leader in counter-drone defense, DJ shares how dedication to safety, education, and innovation drives his mission. He discusses how counter-drone technology is evolving to defend against emerging threats, why legislative reform is vital for local enforcement, and how real-world testing in Virginia — and now his work in the private sector — are setting a new standard for airspace security.

DJ also highlights how collaboration between agencies mirrors the teamwork and discipline found in military service — proving that protecting our homeland extends beyond the battlefield. This episode is a powerful reminder that service takes many forms, and innovation is the next frontier of defense.

What You’ll Learn:

How counter-drone legislation impacts state and local enforcement capabilities
The importance of detection, tracking, and decoding in modern CUAS operations
How Virginia is pioneering real-world drone detection and airspace awareness
Why correctional facilities could be the testbeds for mitigation tools
How remote ID and decoding could reshape national drone policy
The role of education in bridging the knowledge gap for law enforcement and the public
Why counter-drone technology and DFR programs must evolve together
How data-driven insights can guide smarter legislative carve-outs

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Episode Highlights:

[00:06:11] Education is the First Line of Defense – DJ explains that the biggest challenge in counter-drone work isn't technology—it’s education. Misconceptions persist among hobbyists, law enforcement, and even legislators, making it vital to teach what ‘safe and legal flight’ really means.
[00:09:56] Legislative Limitations on Detection – Smith outlines how current laws restrict agencies to passive detection only, preventing them from decoding or identifying most drones. He discusses how this limits situational awareness and why federal carve-outs are needed.
[00:16:16] Virginia’s Real-World Testing – DJ describes how the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation deployed mobile detection trailers statewide to create a snapshot of airspace activity—revealing hundreds of weekly drone flights, most undetected by standard tools.
[00:23:29] The Case for Mitigation Carve-Outs – Correctional facilities, Smith argues, offer controlled environments ideal for testing mitigation tools safely. He details how drones are used to smuggle contraband, even weapons, into prisons—underscoring the urgency for legislative change.
[00:25:31] The Economic Stakes of Drone Espionage – From shipyards to chemical plants, DJ warns that industrial espionage via drones costs the U.S. billions annually. He calls for detection rights at critical infrastructure sites to protect intellectual property.
[00:31:47] Lessons from 9/11 – Smith emphasizes the need for a national reporting system for drone incidents, drawing parallels to intelligence gaps before 9/11. He argues that connecting small signals can prevent large-scale security threats.
[00:32:44] The Future of Detection and Mitigation – DJ outlines the evolution of advanced decoding, AI-driven identification, and soft cyber takeover as the next frontier for CUAS technology—balancing security and safety in shared airspace.