DART Course Series Certified by DHS

The second version of the Drone Assessment and Response Tactics (DART) course series has been certified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Since its inception, the course has focused on helping first responders assess Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) activity and understand practical response considerations for suspicious or nefarious UAS operations.

At the center of the training is the NMT/FRT UAS Response Continuum, a six-step model consisting of Detect, Identify, Track, Assess, Respond, and Report. The framework was developed through collaboration between subject matter experts and SPX instructional staff to provide responders with structured actions throughout each stage of a UAS encounter, whether an agency is operating with analog observation methods or advanced electronic detection systems.

The course was developed through coordination between the NMT/FRT Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center (EMRTC), FBI subject matter experts, and SPX instructional development staff. The training is funded by DHS and made available at no cost to first responders across the United States and its territories.

The DART course series combines classroom instruction, operational discussion, practical assessment concepts, and field-based demonstrations designed to help responders understand the evolving challenges associated with UAS activity. The training emphasizes practical implementation and response considerations that can be adapted across agencies of varying sizes and operational capabilities.

To learn more, visit firstrespondertraining.gov.