A mysterious surge of drone sightings over US military installations has exposed a glaring vulnerability in national defense, with Pentagon officials scrambling to address the growing threat. Recent incursions reveal how foreign adversaries may be exploiting gaps in the military’s authority to neutralize drones outside base perimeters.
The military’s approach: “Zap it and put it in a bag”
Infiltrations have become so common that some defense officials advocate for decisive action. “Zap it, put it in a bag, and exploit it for clues,” one senior official bluntly suggested, highlighting the need for immediate, hands-on responses to unidentified drones, reported US Today.
The Air Force has discreetly employed these tactics, with spokesperson Ann Stefanek confirming drones have been “taken down” in recent years. However, operational secrecy limits the details shared with the public.
The Pentagon’s dilemma stems from jurisdictional limits. While military forces can intercept drones posing threats directly over bases, their authority ends once the aircraft exits restricted airspace, often leaving local law enforcement to handle the situation. In remote areas, this handoff can mean delays—giving adversaries time to gather critical intelligence.
What makes drones a threat?
Drones can surveil military operations and infrastructure with precision far superior to satellites. Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. David Deptula stressed their potential danger. “If you get up close to an F-22 fighter jet, you can detect shapes and construction techniques invisible to satellites,” he explained.
Incidents of drones hovering over bases like Langley Air Force Base in Virginia and the Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey suggest adversaries are targeting sensitive assets. Other incursions at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico have disrupted military exercises, while Navy facilities have faced similar surveillance attempts.
Tools and strategies to combat the threat
To combat the drone incursions, the military has deployed advanced counter-drone equipment, including the Dronebuster, a handheld device that jams drone signals. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recently approved a classified strategy focused on detecting, tracking, and neutralizing drones.
Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary, noted that while bases like Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle have received upgraded defenses, the broader challenge remains. “We don’t collect intelligence on American citizens,” Ryder emphasized, underscoring the legal constraints on US soil.
The bigger picture
This surge in drone activity has drawn comparisons to the 2023 Chinese spy balloon incident, where a surveillance balloon traversed sensitive sites before being shot down. As lawmakers call for expanded counter-drone legislation, the Pentagon warns of the risks drones pose to military readiness and national security.
“Drones are more than just nuisances—they’re surveillance tools with potentially lethal intent,” Deptula warned. The military’s “zap it and bag it” approach may be a step forward, but gaps in authority and jurisdiction leave questions about how well the US is prepared for future drone threats.