CapitalSkies: An NVERS Game of Drones

On August 6-7, 2026, public safety UAS teams from across Northern Virginia and the National Capital Region came together at George Mason University’s Science and Technology Campus for the inaugural CapitalSkies: An NVERS Game of Drones.

The competition brought together 15 UAS teams from local, state, and federal public safety agencies.

Competitors put their skills- and their aircraft- to the test through challenges based on real-world public safety operations, including precision aircraft control, interior tactical flight, search and evidence location, operational readiness, and safe mission execution. The top four teams advanced to a championship round, featuring a simulated missing-person search.

Congratulations to the FAIRFAX COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT, the inaugural CapitalSkies Champion!

NVERS is proud to support the continued development and coordination of public safety UAS capabilities through the NVERS UAS Working Group and our local, regional, state, and federal partners.

Thank you to the planning team, judges, proctors, and support personnel who made the event successful, and especially to every pilot and agency that came out to compete.

NVERS would also like to thank our event sponsors who helped make CapitalSkies possible:

Dedrone
GuidePoint Security
Robin Radar Systems
DroneSense
Skydio
Safeware
Peregrine
Radio Communications of Virginia
Global Emergency Response

Congratulations to all of this year’s competitors- and to our 2026 CapitalSkies champions!