The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) announced awards to 46 localities of one-time grant funding to replace certain unmanned aircraft through the Unmanned Aircraft Trade and Replace Grant Program. The funding was made to eligible local first responder agencies in Virginia.
CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF AWARDEES
As previously reported, consistent with Appropriation Act language, the unmanned aircraft being replaced through this program are those manufactured by countries designated as a foreign adversary in the Code of Virginia § 55.1-507, with unmanned aircraft manufactured or assembled by a country not covered by section 1822 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2024. The countries listed in the NDAA as foreign adversaries are the People’s Republic of China (including Hong Kong), Cuba, Iran, North Korea, the Russian Federation, and Venezuela. The unmanned aircraft eligible to be replaced by this grant program are only those used by Virginia first responder agencies, including local law enforcement agencies, local fire or ambulance service providers, and other local first responders. The terms “unmanned aircraft” and “drone” as used in the Unmanned Aircraft Trade and Replace Program are interchangeable.
VACo supported including funding for the program in the FY 2025 budget.
VACo Contact: Jeremy R. Bennett