“NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth Investigates” recently featured Vigilant Aerospace Systems’ FlightHorizon DEFENDER in a report on counter- uncrewed aircraft system (C-UAS) technology and drone threats ahead of FIFA World Cup matches in Texas. The report highlighted efforts to mitigate concerns about drones that could fly over crowded stadiums or public events while carrying hazardous materials or other dangerous payloads.
FlightHorizon DEFENDER is Vigilant Aerospace’s lightweight, “smart” C-UAS system for detecting, tracking, and identifying drones over sensitive locations. As shown in the NBC DFW segment, the software issues an alert when a drone flies into a predetermined area monitored by portable radars and can differentiate between known and unknown drones.
The report examined how law enforcement and security teams can detect and respond to uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) near sensitive locations and critical infrastructure. For the demonstration, Vigilant Aerospace worked with Oklahoma State University’s Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education (OAIRE) at the university’s drone flight test range near Stillwater, Oklahoma. Using FlightHorizon DEFENDER, the team detected and tracked an approaching drone and alerted operators when it entered a defined security area.
What FlightHorizon DEFENDER Does
FlightHorizon DEFENDER identifies drones using portable radar, transponder receivers, and a drone beacon receiver. The system correlates this information to detect and identify drones, then issues an alert when they enter protected areas.
This capability is important for stadiums, military bases, airports, critical infrastructure, and temporary event locations. In these environments, the ability for authorities to identify known vs unknown aircraft is critical.
FlightHorizon DEFENDER correlates inputs from Echodyne radars, transponders, and drone beacons. These inputs help the system display drone tracks, support user-defined airspace boundaries, and generate alerts around protected locations.
Each FlightHorizon DEFENDER system is composed of a radar, portable receiver, and laptop, designed for rapid field deployment that can be used in portable, mobile, or fixed configurations. These deployment options support events, training ranges, and other sites needing timely drone awareness. The system was originally developed by the company under a US Air Force AFWERX SBIR contract.
Detecting Drone Threats Near Major Events
The NBC DFW report focused on the airspace monitoring challenge facing agencies responsible for large public events. Drones have become more available, more capable, and easier to modify, and can represent more of a threat to the public.
Legitimate drone operators are required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to broadcast identifying information. However, unauthorized or modified drones may operate without that signal. These aircraft are sometimes described as “dark drones” because they can be difficult to detect, track, and identify.
In the demonstration, portable radar supported FlightHorizon DEFENDER’s airspace display and alerting functions. The system showed the aircraft track and alerted operators when the drone entered the sensitive area, improving security.
Counter-Drone Planning Ahead of World Cup Matches
The NBC DFW segment placed the demonstration in the context of World Cup preparations in North Texas. AT&T Stadium in Arlington is scheduled to host nine World Cup matches in June and July 2026. Up to 4 million visitors are expected to visit North Texas for the events.
The report highlighted the field use of FlightHorizon DEFENDER in a realistic demonstration. The segment showed how geofencing, radar input, aircraft tracking, and alerting can support faster decisions when an unknown drone enters a restricted or sensitive location.
The segment also underscored the importance of C-UAS systems built for field conditions. For event security and similar situations, FlightHorizon DEFENDER is a low-cost option that supports rapid deployment and provides operators with timely airspace information.
Read the full “NBC DFW Investigates” report here.
About NBC 5 DFW
NBC 5 DFW, KXAS-TV, is the NBC-owned television station serving the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Together with Telemundo 39, the station provides broadcast, digital, streaming, mobile, weather, investigative, and consumer reporting for North Texas. Its investigative unit, NBC 5 Investigates, produces in-depth reporting for communities across the region.
About OSU OAIRE
The Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education (OAIRE) at Oklahoma State University supports aerospace research, testing, and collaboration. OAIRE brings together faculty, engineers, researchers, students, industry partners, and government stakeholders.
Its work includes autonomous systems, advanced air mobility, airspace integration, counter-UAS, propulsion, sustainment, aerospace policy, and related technical areas.
OAIRE’s Counter-UAS Center of Excellence supports counter-drone research, testing, and collaboration across industry, academia, and government. The center works on technologies and approaches to detect, identify, and address emerging UAS threats.
About Echodyne
Echodyne develops advanced radar systems for defense, government, critical infrastructure, and autonomous systems. Based in Kirkland, Washington, the company uses patented metamaterials electronically scanned array (MESA) technology to provide compact, solid-state radar systems for applications including counter-uncrewed aircraft systems (C-UAS), perimeter security, public safety, critical infrastructure protection, uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), and advanced air mobility (AAM) operations.
Vigilant Aerospace is the leading developer of multi-sensor detect-and-avoid and airspace management software for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS or drones). The company’s product, FlightHorizon, is based on two NASA patents and uses data from multiple sources to display a real-time picture of the air traffic around a UAS and to provide automatic avoidance maneuvers to prevent collisions. The software is designed to meet industry technical standards, to provide automatic safety and to allow UAS to safely fly beyond the sight of the pilot. The software has won multiple industry awards and the company has had contracts and users at NASA, the FAA, the U.S. Department of Defense and with a variety of drone development programs. Visit our website at www.VigilantAerospace.com