Pentagon officials told Congress recently that bases inside the United States are still often unprepared to deal with drones invading their air space.
Though the details remain classified, Rear Adm. Paul Spedero told Congress that in the last month, U.S. Northern Command has updated its standard operating procedure for handling drones. Last year, more than 350 drones flew over or near military bases inside the U.S.
In December 2023, a series of drones swarmed over Joint Base Langley-Eustis. Spedero told the U.S.House Oversight Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs that the incident was a wake-up call.
“The incursions over Joint Base Langley-Eustis were not the first,” Spedero said. “They've not been the last, but they were the longest and the largest series of incursions that we have seen today.”
Officials still do not know who was behind the drone swarms over Langley. Other high profile incidents over bases in California and New Jersey have followed. The Pentagon has revamped how it works with other agencies to track down potential culprits. Though, the leadership at Langley did work with local and other federal agencies, Spedero said.
“They had a very, very tight relationship with local law enforcement, with sheriffs, police departments as well as other federal agencies that have capability in that area,” Spedero said. “They did respond in concert together to try to apprehend individuals that were responsible for that drone activity over the base.”
The Pentagon is still struggling with how to handle the growing number of incursions. Bases inside the US often lack even basic equipment to detect drones, Spedero said.
“It is not comprehensive. I can tell you that it is not sufficient,” he said. “It varies from base to base, from from very little to somewhat more comprehensive.”
Bases inside the United States typically lack the comprehensive systems used at U.S. installations outside the country, which are better able to detect and interdict unmanned aerial vehicles, known as UAVs. Some of the technology is still being designed, Spedero said.
“It will take layers of different sensors, because one sensor may be better against certain UAVs and certain flight profiles,” he said. “You may have to rely on different sensors to round out the picture. So being able to fuse all that together to get the complete picture will be necessary.”
The Pentagon is also working on proposed legislation to expand U.S. law to allow more bases clear authority to take down drones that may be considered a threat, including those conducting surveillance.
