SOF Week is an annual conference for the international SOF community, co-sponsored by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and the Global Special Operations Forces Foundation (GSOF). SOF Week brings together elite warfighters and dignitaries from across the world, and includes live capabilities demonstrations. This high-profile event is held in downtown Tampa, FL, and the dense urban landscape presents a unique opportunity for unauthorized drone flights from bad actors and the curious public. The need for a broad coverage area creates distinct challenges when protecting such an event from drone threats.

The SOF Week Planners commissioned Dedrone to provide counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS) protection for SOF Week 2024. Dedrone deployed their DedroneRapidResponse trailer, and provided drone and pilot detection, identification, and tracking through the fusion of radio frequency, radar, and pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera sensors. The DedroneRapidResponse trailer was set up directly outside of the Tampa Convention Center in a location that provided optimal viewing and coverage of the airspace. The system was monitored from the event’s security operations center (SOC) using DedroneTracker.AI software, and to allow for real-time updates to USSOCOM, GSOF, and the Tampa Police Department.

The DedroneRapidResponse trailer was operational for SOF Week 2024 from May 6th – 9th. During the four-day period, the system detected over 350 drone signatures and assessed dozens of drone flights for potential threat to the event. The Dedrone system captured both temporary flight restriction (TFR) and 400ft maximum altitude limit violations. The integration of the DedroneTracker.AI software into SOF Week’s SOC allowed for the unauthorized drone flights and violations to be instantly reported to USSOCOM, GSOF, and Tampa Bay Police personnel creating both a safer airspace, and a safer event for all those attending. The Tampa Police Department was notified on three separate occasions and were able to make contact with two of the offending pilots due to precise pilot location being provided by the Dedrone team.