Drone Operations
Drone Operations Built for Mission Success
Over 70% of public safety drone programs operate without standardized tactical SOPs or playbooks.
Source: Executive Research Forum, 2023
Summit Defense’s Drone Operations Solutions equip teams with the training, technology, and tactics to use drones effectively, legally, and safely. Our approach covers every phase: selecting the right platforms, training pilots, developing standard operating procedures, and ensuring compliance with FAA regulations. The result is an operational capability that enhances decision-making, reduces costs, and expands what your team can accomplish in the field.
Whether you’re a law enforcement agency, utility provider, emergency manager, or private-sector operator, our programs are designed to fit your mission. From building new drone units to upgrading existing programs, we deliver scalable, field-tested solutions that help you maximize performance and minimize liability.
At Summit Defense, we don’t just deploy drones — we build operational excellence. With our expertise, your team gains the confidence, discipline, and skill to dominate the airspace for every mission.
Of public safety drone programs operate without standardized SOPs or playbooks.
Of enterprises using drones lack cybersecurity safeguards for control links or data feeds.
Of agencies using drones have not integrated them into broader site defense strategies.
Of agencies report difficulty integrating drones into existing command and control systems.
Tactical Drone Operations Program Development
What We Do: We design and deliver full-spectrum drone programs for tactical units such as SWAT, sniper/overwatch, barricade/hostage response, SAR, fugitive task force and warrant service, BOSAR, and intelligence collection. Each program includes TTP development, training, and technology integration to ensure safe, reliable, and decisive use of drones in high-stakes operations.
How It Enables Your Operations: Tactical teams gain an aerial advantage—improving situational awareness, extending reach, and reducing risk to personnel in dangerous environments.
Impact: Save lives by reducing operator exposure, enhance mission success rates, and cut costs by preventing operational failures or injuries.
Commercial Drone Program Development
What We Do: We build end-to-end drone programs for critical infrastructure operators and security leaders integrating drones into their resilience strategies. Programs support surveillance, incident response, inaccessible site inspections, real-time reporting, and perimeter monitoring. From policy to training, we ensure compliance, safety, and operational effectiveness.
How It Enables Your Operations: Organizations extend coverage, respond faster, and protect critical assets with reliable aerial support.
Impact: Reduce inspection costs, lower downtime, enhance worker safety, and strengthen insurance and compliance posture.
Operational Planning & Response Playbooks
What We Do: We develop tailored TTPs, SOPs, and drone-specific response playbooks. These plans guide steady-state operations, high-risk missions, and incident response, ensuring teams know exactly how to act when speed and precision matter most.
How It Enables Your Operations: Teams operate with clarity, coordination, and confidence—whether during planned missions or sudden crises.
Impact: Minimize response delays, prevent costly missteps, and reduce liability through documented, tested procedures.
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Hands-On Training & Education
What We Do: We provide immersive, scenario-based training programs for drone operators and decision-makers that go far beyond classroom instruction. Real-world environments and stress-tested scenarios ensure skills translate directly into mission capability.
How It Enables Your Operations: Operators and leaders build confidence, precision, and readiness under real-world conditions—turning drones into operational assets, not liabilities.
Impact: Avoid training-related mishaps, reduce insurance premiums with certified training programs, and improve operational outcomes across the board.
Airspace & TFR Coordination
What We Do: We deliver coordination and process support for Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs), including national defense security events (§99.7), disaster/incident restrictions (§91.137), special security events (§44.185), and FAA-imposed requirements. Our team ensures compliance and seamless integration into mission planning.
How It Enables Your Operations: Secure, authorized airspace operations are maintained without risk of regulatory violation or mission disruption.
Impact: Prevent fines and regulatory penalties, reduce mission delays, and ensure continuity of operations during high-stakes events.
Operational Advisory & Retainer Services
What We Do: We provide ongoing support to manage and sustain comprehensive drone operations programs. Services include policy development, interagency coordination, training, “Blue List” procurement advisory, technology integration, and rapid incident support. We also provide regular intelligence reporting and continuous monitoring.
How It Enables Your Operations: You gain a trusted partner ensuring your drone programs evolve with technology, remain compliant, and operate at peak performance.
Impact: Save money on procurement, protect lives and property through proactive oversight, and strengthen enterprise resilience against drone-related risks.
Built for real-world threats
It Only Takes One Incident
It only takes one drone, one breach, one failure to destroy everything you’ve built. A single incident can cause severe business damage, trigger costly lawsuits, escalate liability, and put your people in harm’s way.
Summit Defense delivers proven drone defense and operational solutions that detect threats early, defend your people and facilities, reduce liability, and protect your reputation—
before a drone can cause harm.