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The Growing Threat of Unauthorized Drones at Sporting Events: A Call for Advanced Counter-UAS Solutions


Ravens-Bengals Drone Incursion 1-11-2025

The Rising Risk of Drone Disruptions

The Steelers vs. Ravens NFL playoff game delay on January 11th, 2025 due to an unauthorized drone flying over M&T Bank Stadium has once again highlighted a growing and dangerous issue: the increasing presence of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in restricted airspace. While this incident caused only a temporary pause in the game, it exposes a major security vulnerability that could have far more severe consequences.

In recent years, unauthorized drone incursions at major sporting events have surged, raising significant security concerns. During the 2023 NFL season, a staggering 2,845 unauthorized drones entered restricted airspace over stadiums, disrupting games and forcing heightened security measures, including the November 16, 2023 incursion (pictured) during the Ravens-Bengals game on Thursday Night Football, also at the M&T Bank Stadium.


This is not simply a threat to the United States; internationally, in August 2024, a drone disrupted a college football game at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, prompting authorities to seize several electronic devices in an ongoing investigation.


Even the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris were not immune—members of the Canadian women’s soccer team were caught using a drone to spy on New Zealand’s training session, leading to suspensions and sanctions. These alarming incidents underscore the urgent need for advanced Counter-UAS (C-UAS) solutions to safeguard high-profile events and protect public safety from the growing threat of rogue drones.


Unauthorized drones over crowded venues pose a significant national security and privacy threat, ranging from potential terrorist attacks to cyber and electronic warfare. Whether operated by careless hobbyists or bad actors with malicious intent, these drones present a clear and present danger that must be addressed with advanced C-UAS technology.

Ravens-Bengals drone incursion on 11-16-2023
Ravens-Bengals drone incursion on 11-16-2023

Why Unauthorized Drones Are a Serious Threat

Potential for Terrorist Attacks

Drones can be weaponized, carrying explosives, chemical agents, even a gun, turning them into airborne threats capable of causing mass casualties. A crowded stadium presents an ideal high-profile target for bad actors aiming to maximize damage and media attention.


Espionage & Cyber Threats

Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras, radio frequency (RF) sniffers, or even hacking tools can intercept sensitive communications, disrupt broadcast signals, or collect intelligence on high-profile individuals attending the event.


Airspace Disruption & Collisions

A drone in the wrong place at the wrong time could collide with helicopters, police surveillance aircraft, or even cause mass panic if fans perceive it as a threat. In the case of the Ravens-Steelers game, the FAA quickly intervened, but what if the drone had been carrying a payload designed to cause harm?


Drone Swarm Attacks

A coordinated swarm of drones could overwhelm traditional security measures, launching attacks from multiple angles, jamming signals, or even deploying electromagnetic pulse (EMP) devices to disable infrastructure.


The Need for Advanced Counter-UAS Solutions

At Galaxy Unmanned Systems LLC, we have been at the forefront of Counter-UAS technology through our autonomous airship platforms. Our unmanned C-UAS airships are capable of persistent situational awareness, RF detection, and electronic warfare to neutralize drone threats before they become a danger​. The C-UAS Airship provides security through:


Persistent Aerial Coverage – Our airships hover thousands of feet above stadiums, providing uninterrupted situational awareness for up to 60 hours without refueling​.


Multi-Layered Drone Detection – Using DHS integrated RF scanners, electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) sensors, and radar, our airships can detect drones before they enter restricted airspace.


Tactical Deployment – In extreme cases, our system can even be integrated to deploy interceptor drones or direct law enforcement to neutralize rogue UAS threats in real time​.



The Future of Stadium Security: We Must Act Now

The drone incident at M&T Bank Stadium should serve as a wake-up call. The increasing accessibility of drones, coupled with their potential for harm, means that stadiums, large-scale events, and critical infrastructure need immediate protection against this evolving threat.


Galaxy Unmanned Systems is actively working to integrate our C-UAS airship technology into major event security plans​. With Super Bowl games, political rallies, and concerts drawing massive crowds, we must take proactive steps to prevent a potential catastrophic drone attack.


The next drone intrusion might not just delay a game—it could change everything.


Now is the time to secure the skies.





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