No Weaponized Drones Captured at FIFA World Cup, Confirms White House

WHO:

Yahoo News Canada - White House Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Counterterrorism Sebastian Gorka stated that the Trump administration recently held a meeting of senior officials on the severity of potential drone threats.

Reuters - White House Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Counterterrorism Sebastian Gorka

WHAT:

Reuters - A White House official stated that no weaponized drones were seized among 700 unmanned aerial devices recovered at U.S. FIFA World Cup venues and fan zones.

Yahoo News Canada - Sebastian Gorka said, “No weaponized drones were seized,” during a drone industry conference in Washington, D.C.

Yahoo News Canada - Gorka mentioned that the Homeland Security Department plans to soon release an after-action report on the counter-drone efforts during FIFA.

Yahoo News Canada - Gorka mentioned that software solutions are key to keeping drones out of prohibited airspace.

101 WIXX - The incidents involving drones were attributed to hobbyists and others unaware of flight restrictions imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration, rather than criminal actions.

101 WIXX - Sebastian Gorka stated, “They’re just doing things that are dumb, but that we have to mitigate.”

101 WIXX - On World Cup match days, all aircraft operations, including drones, were prohibited within a radius of three nautical miles and up to 3,000 feet (914 meters) above ground level around the soccer stadiums unless specifically authorized by air traffic controllers.

101 WIXX - The FAA imposed temporary flight restrictions to bar drones around World Cup sites, with drones barred within a one-nautical-mile radius and up to 1,000 feet above ground level at fan gatherings.

Reuters - No weaponized drones were seized among 700 unmanned aerial devices interdicted at U.S. FIFA World Cup venues and fan zones.

Yahoo News Canada - The Trump administration is intensely focused on drone threats.

WHERE:

Reuters - U.S. FIFA World Cup venues and fan zones.

WHEN:

Yahoo News Canada - The Homeland Security Department plans to soon release an after-action report on the counter-drone efforts during FIFA.

Yahoo News Canada - The Homeland Security Department plans to soon release an after-action report on the counter-drone efforts during FIFA.

HOW:

Reuters - The information was provided during a drone conference.

A White House official confirmed that among the 700 unmanned aerial devices recovered at U.S. FIFA World Cup venues and fan zones, no weaponized drones were seized. Sebastian Gorka reiterated this point during a drone industry conference in Washington, D.C., stating, “No weaponized drones were seized.” He also noted that the Homeland Security Department plans to release an after-action report on the counter-drone efforts during FIFA in the near future.