For years, unidentified drones have been infiltrating the skies above critical military and civilian sites across the United States, raising serious concerns about national security. In a recent 60 Minutes report, Bill Whitaker explored the perplexing challenge the U.S. military faces in stopping these drone swarms. Despite the potential threats, the reasons behind the military’s inability to effectively counter these incursions remain unclear. This article delves into the complexities of this issue, examining the limitations in technology, policy, and jurisdiction that hinder the military’s response.
The rise of sophisticated drone technology, coupled with legal and logistical obstacles, presents a formidable challenge. From Langley Air Force Base to nuclear plants, these unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have demonstrated the capacity to breach security perimeters, prompting urgent questions about how to protect vulnerable locations. This article examines the technological hurdles, jurisdictional ambiguities, and potential solutions being considered to address the challenge of stopping drone swarms, ensuring the safety and security of critical infrastructure and military assets.
The Alarming Rise of Drone Incursions
Over the past several years, numerous drone incursions have been reported at sensitive sites across the United States. One of the most notable incidents occurred in December 2023, when dozens of drones invaded the airspace above Langley Air Force Base in Virginia for 17 consecutive nights. According to the 60 Minutes report, the persistent nature of these incursions forced the Air Force to relocate some of its F-22 fighter jets to a safer location. This event highlighted the vulnerability of even the most secure military installations to drone threats.
Beyond Langley, similar incidents have been documented at other critical sites. In 2019, swarms of drones shadowed naval warships off the California coast for weeks, raising concerns about potential espionage or reconnaissance activities. The War Zone, a defense news website, has reported numerous intrusions at sensitive military and civilian installations, including the Palo Verde nuclear plant in Arizona and Plant 42 in southern California, where advanced stealth bombers are being developed. These incidents underscore the widespread and persistent nature of the drone incursion problem.
The Army has also confirmed multiple drone sightings over the Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey, where advanced weaponry is designed and built. These sightings, along with numerous others reported across New Jersey, further illustrate the challenges faced by security agencies in monitoring and preventing drone incursions. Gen. Glen VanHerck, former chief of NORAD and NORTHCOM, emphasized the need to address gaps in capability, policy, and law to effectively counter these threats.
Technological Hurdles in Detecting Drones
One of the primary reasons it’s so challenging to stop drone incursions lies in the capabilities of modern drone technology. Today’s drones are easily accessible, with sophisticated models available for purchase online for just a few thousand dollars. These drones can fly for up to 10 hours and carry payloads of up to 30 pounds, making them versatile tools for various purposes, including surveillance and potentially malicious activities.
Furthermore, drones can be modified to fly at extremely high or low altitudes, making them difficult to detect with standard surveillance radar. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and NORAD rely on radar systems designed to track larger aircraft, which often fail to detect smaller, low-flying drones. This technological gap allows drones to operate undetected in sensitive airspace, posing a significant security risk. As Gen. Glen VanHerck noted, the inability to detect and track drones is a critical challenge that must be addressed to effectively counter drone incursions.
The advancements in drone technology have outpaced the development of effective counter-drone measures, leaving a significant vulnerability in national security. The challenge is not only in detecting these drones but also in identifying whether they pose a threat. The lack of adequate detection and tracking systems makes it difficult to differentiate between harmless civilian drones and those with malicious intent, further complicating the response efforts.
Jurisdictional Ambiguities and Policy Gaps
Even when drones are detected, stopping them over mainland America is not as straightforward as shooting them down, as might be done on a battlefield abroad. One major issue is safety. Firing a missile or using a fighter jet to intercept a drone over populated areas poses a significant risk due to the potential for debris to scatter over civilian neighborhoods. As Gen. VanHerck explained, the high-speed and explosive nature of such countermeasures makes them unsuitable for use in densely populated areas.
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Another challenge is the lack of clear jurisdictional authority. Numerous entities, including local law enforcement, the FBI, the FAA, and the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, could have a stake in responding to a drone incursion, depending on the location and nature of the threat. This overlap in jurisdiction can lead to confusion and delays in response, hindering effective action. Retired Air Force General Mark Kelly, who witnessed the drone incursion at Langley Air Force Base, believes that a single, resourced, and empowered organization is needed to address this problem effectively.
The existing policy framework is also inadequate to address the evolving drone threat. The laws and regulations governing drone operations are often unclear or outdated, making it difficult to prosecute those who misuse drones for illegal purposes. The lack of a comprehensive legal framework further complicates the efforts to deter and respond to drone incursions, leaving critical infrastructure and military sites vulnerable.
Challenges with Current Countermeasures
While shooting down drones is problematic, other potential countermeasures also have limitations. Jamming the frequencies used by drones to communicate is one option, but it comes with its own set of challenges. Most commercial drones operate on the 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz radio frequencies, which are also used for Wi-Fi, wireless LAN applications, and video systems. Jamming these frequencies would disrupt these services in the surrounding area, affecting commercial and civilian activities.
Similarly, denying PNT (precision navigation and timing) services, such as GPS, to stop drones could also have unintended consequences. According to General Kelly, rendering PNT unusable would disrupt navigation for commercial pilots and civilians, potentially causing widespread disruption and safety risks. These unintended consequences make it difficult to deploy such countermeasures without causing significant collateral damage.
Gen. Glen VanHerck noted that while it is possible to issue a “Notice to Airmen” to notify commercial airlines not to fly in a particular area while frequencies are jammed, this is not always a practical solution. During the incursion at Langley, an attempt was made to jam frequencies, coordinated by the FAA using NASA and Coast Guard assets. However, this effort was unsuccessful, highlighting the limitations of current jamming technology and the challenges of implementing such measures effectively.
The Promise of Fly-Away Kits
To address the challenges of stopping drone incursions, the military is developing fly-away kits. These prepackaged bundles of technology can be rapidly deployed to military installations experiencing persistent drone incursions. The kits include systems that can detect low-flying aircraft that today’s radar systems often miss. This enhanced detection capability is crucial for identifying and tracking potential threats in real-time.
General Gregory Guillot, the current commander of NORAD and NORTHCOM, said that fly-away kits would be pre-positioned at various locations around the country, enabling rapid response with both the equipment and the authority to operate it. The goal is to have these kits ready for distribution within a year, meaning that by 2026, the military would have a significantly improved ability to respond to incursions like the one at Langley Air Force Base.
The fly-away kits will eventually include equipment capable of bringing drones down safely. This capability is essential for neutralizing threats and preventing potential damage to critical infrastructure and military assets. By partnering with industry, the military aims to develop and deploy these kits as quickly as possible, enhancing the nation’s ability to counter drone incursions effectively.
Conclusion: Addressing the Drone Swarm Challenge
The challenge of stopping drone swarms over critical military and civilian sites in the United States is a complex issue with no easy solutions. The combination of advanced drone technology, jurisdictional ambiguities, and limitations in current countermeasures presents a formidable obstacle to national security. The persistent nature of these incursions underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach.
The development of fly-away kits represents a significant step forward in enhancing the military’s ability to detect and respond to drone threats. However, addressing the underlying policy gaps and jurisdictional issues is also crucial. A clear legal framework and a single, empowered organization are needed to effectively deter and prosecute those who misuse drones for illegal purposes. Additionally, ongoing investment in advanced detection and countermeasure technologies is essential to keep pace with the evolving drone threat.
Ultimately, protecting critical infrastructure and military assets from drone incursions requires a multi-faceted approach that combines technological innovation, policy reform, and interagency coordination. By addressing these challenges proactively, the United States can better safeguard its national security interests and ensure the safety and security of its citizens.
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