Left of Launch: Why Counter-UAS Must Move Upstream

Effective counter-UAS begins before a drone is airborne. This blog explains why agencies need a “left-of-launch” intelligence layer to identify early indicators of intent, preparation, and opportunity; disrupt the networks enabling adversarial drone activity; and reduce pressure on right-of-launch detection and mitigation systems. Paired together, upstream intelligence and downstream response give defenders more time, better context, and a stronger chance of stopping threats before they become operational crises.