Development of a counter-unmanned aircraft systems (c-UAS) education and training program

The National Science Foundation Division of Undergraduate Education awarded Warren County Community College $288,318 on October 1, 2026, under the STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076) to develop a Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) education and training program.

The college will develop industry-aligned curriculum, hands-on training environments, and experiential learning opportunities focused on drone detection, identification, mitigation, airspace awareness, and operational safety. The project integrates public safety, workforce development, and technician education through partnerships with subject matter experts and industry stakeholders, employing real-world scenarios to prepare students for counter-drone operations careers.

Expected outcomes include increased student participation in technology education pathways, expanded workforce readiness in counter-UAS operations, strengthened public safety training, and a scalable educational model applicable to technician education nationally. Project deliverables encompass comprehensive curriculum development and acquisition of specialized instructional equipment.

Warren County Community College, a public community college in Washington, New Jersey, serves as the recipient. The project runs from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2029, with place of performance in Washington, New Jersey. This assistance type is a project grant.

Abstract

The rapid growth of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS, commonly known as drones) across commercial, recreational, and public sectors has created increasing demand for a skilled workforce capable of protecting public safety, critical infrastructure, and shared airspace from unauthorized or dangerous drone activity. The significance of this project lies in its effort to prepare technicians and public safety professionals for emerging careers in counter-UAS (c-UAS) technologies, a field that is becoming increasingly important to national defense, transportation safety, emergency response, utilities protection, and homeland security. The project will expand access to advanced technological education in this field by developing industry-aligned curriculum, hands-on training environments, and experiential learning opportunities focused on drone detection, identification, mitigation, airspace awareness, and operational safety. Distinguishing aspects of the project include the integration of public safety, workforce development, and technician education; partnerships with subject matter experts and industry stakeholders; and the use of real-world scenarios to prepare students for rapidly evolving workforce needs. Expected outcomes include increased student participation in technology education pathways, expanded workforce readiness in counter-drone operations, strengthened public safety training, and a scalable educational model that can inform technician education nationally. The goals of the project are to develop and implement a comprehensive c-UAS education and training initiative; expand technician preparation pathways aligned with emerging workforce demands; and investigate effective approaches for experiential learning in counter-drone and airspace security education. The project will involve curriculum development, acquisition and integration of specialized instructional equipment and simulators, training of educators, creation of hands-on laboratory and field training exercises, student engagement activities, and outreach to public safety and workforce partners. The project will utilize scenario-based instruction, competency-based learning, employer-informed curriculum design, and interdisciplinary technical training that integrates drone operations, cybersecurity, aviation safety, communications systems, detection technologies, and operational response procedures. Evaluation activities will assess student learning outcomes, development of technical skills, workforce preparedness, and industry engagement using both qualitative and quantitative measures. The project's findings, instructional resources, and implementation strategies will be disseminated through conferences, workforce partnerships, educational outreach, and professional networks to support the broader adoption of c-UAS educational resources. This project is funded by the advanced technological education program, which focuses on the education of technicians for the advanced-technology fields that drive the nation's economy. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.