Deescalation Drone Pilot Program Act of 2025

This legislation mandates the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish a pilot program for the use of nonlethal deescalation unmanned aircraft by law enforcement agencies. The program's primary focus is to assess the potential deployment of these drones during active shooter events , aiming to enhance safety by increasing the engagement distance between officers and threats. Key components of the pilot program include reviewing and validating nonlethal weapons, developing comprehensive training protocols for operators, and establishing robust operational and safety guidelines. The FAA is directed to collaborate with existing unmanned aircraft system test ranges and various law enforcement entities, including Federal, State, and metropolitan agencies, to carry out this program. Following the pilot's conclusion, the Administrator must submit a report to Congress detailing the results and outlining a process for law enforcement to seek permission to operate these drones. Subsequently, the FAA will initiate rulemaking to create a formal approval process for both law enforcement operation and manufacturer testing, with a crucial requirement that all participating nonlethal deescalation unmanned aircraft must be manufactured in the United States .