RICHMOND, Ky. (Dec. 15, 2025) — As drone usage among professionals and hobbyists becomes more common, concerns about flights in restricted airspace continue to grow. When a drone unexpectedly appears near a sporting event, parade or any large crowd, it can cause safety risks, delays or even evacuations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) estimates 822,039 drones registered as of July 2025. According to the FAA, reports of unmanned aircraft system (UAS) sightings from pilots, citizens and law enforcement remain high, with more than 100 reported each month near airports.
At Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), Dr. Derek Paulsen, dean of the College of Justice, Safety and Military Science, leads drone detection research to strengthen public safety.
“Through collaborative research, our renowned programs in aviation, justice and safety come together to make a real impact for Kentucky—enhancing public safety and serving communities,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “As the only university-based flight school in the state, EKU Aviation is on the cusp of innovation with our UAS program and in advancing solutions within emerging fields.”
Paulsen first recognized the need for this research through long-standing relationships with public safety agencies, including two decades of collaboration with the Lexington Police Department. As many agencies look to expand their use of drones, the question remains about how they identify potentially harmful aircraft.
“We saw an area where we can provide assistance,” said Paulsen. “These agencies don’t have the time or the resources to do this, and this is one of those ways we could help. It’s part of our mission to answer the questions public safety agencies have.”
Research grants allowed Paulsen to secure a Dronetag, a device that detects and identifies nearby aircraft. Paulsen and Aaron Kuster, assistant professor in EKU’s School of Aviation, teamed up with students and the EKU Police Department to test the device with a hands-on exercise in the Ravine. The simulated event involved students spreading out across campus and flying drones toward the Ravine as EKU Police monitored the airspace with the Dronetag. The exercise was considered a success, as EKU Police could pinpoint each student’s drone.
“Students are actively seeing the impact of their work,” said Kuster. “They get to network with individuals, talk to the subject matter experts, and they learn by doing.”
Jackson Beardsley, a junior majoring in UAS from Richmond, Kentucky, said, “This project helped me gain experience operating the UAS, experience working and communicating with a visual observer and other teams, and knowledge on how some counter-UAS operations work.”
Paulsen says the next phase of the research involves putting the Dronetag through more hands-on exercises and partnering with more agencies, including both the Lexington and University of Kentucky Police Departments. The team will then share the results with agencies with the end goal of creating safer communities.
EKU’s Bachelor of Science in Aviation, the only program of its kind in Kentucky, offers concentrations in aerospace management, aerospace technology, professional flight and UAS, giving students hands-on experience that prepares them for a wide range of career opportunities.
