Deescalation Drone Pilot Program Act of 2025

The Deescalation Drone Pilot Program Act of 2025 would add a new pilot program to title 49 of the U.S. Code to study small, nonlethal deescalation unmanned aircraft (drones) for law enforcement and public safety in active shooter scenarios. The FAA would establish a formal pilot program to evaluate whether such drones, equipped with nonlethal weapons or other nonlethal devices, can help de-escalate threats and increase safe engagement distances, particularly in indoor settings. The bill preserves a prohibition on arming unmanned aircraft with dangerous weapons and sets up training, safety, and operational protocols, along with partnerships and interagency cooperation. It also requires a government report, followed by rulemaking to create a process for approved operations and for manufacturers to conduct testing and demonstrations, and it requires the drones used in the program to be U.S.-made. The overall aim is to assess feasibility, safety, and efficacy before broader adoption. In short, the bill creates a structured, time-limited pathway for federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement to explore nonlethal drone-based deescalation tools in active shooter events, with formal reporting, stakeholder input, and eventual regulatory steps if the concept proves viable.