An idea plucked straight out of a sci-fi movie will soon land at Boerne Independent School District campuses — drones meant to stop school shooters.

What do you with an Army designed for Europe when Europe isn’t the focus anymore? The answer is drones, says one U.S. expert.

The reported drone sightings began in Morris County in November 2024. Reported sightings spread across the state and the wider East Coast in ensuing weeks, affixing eyes to the skies, generating national headlines and meriting both a Wikipedia and Know Your Meme entry.

Since then various Western companies have sought to showcase their drones on what has become the world’s best testing ground. But they have largely fallen flat. Ukrainian companies that once looked to emulate Western tech heroes like Anduril and Helsing now find themselves plotting a path for those multi-billion euro “companies to follow.

The Iranian-designed Shahed became notorious in Ukraine. The US wants this style of drone for future fights.

Porcupine or Dreadarmor with a mass of metal rods is the latest thing for stopping FPVs. How effective is it and how are drone pilots countering it?

Drone flights would be forbidden over outdoor public gatherings and above 400 feet (122 metres) in most cases. Operators would have to buy drones capable of flying without visual supervision, but, as long as it met spec, each drone leaving a production line would need only testing, not a federal airworthiness certification.

Drones are not just toys anymore. A growing number of industries rely on drones for everything from photographing real estate to collecting content for videos. Some biologists even use drones to map and study wildlife.