Defense Scoop: NORAD Commander Reveals Surge in Drone Incursions at U.S. Military Bases
Submission Statement
The commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command (Northcom), Gen. Gregory Guillot, has called for enhanced technology and broader authorities to address the increasing number of incursions by small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) over U.S. military installations.
During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Gen. Guillot provided further insights into a troubling trend of drone activity that poses significant risks to military security. “The primary concern is the potential for detection and surveillance of sensitive capabilities at our installations,” he stated. “Last year alone, we recorded 350 drone incidents across over 100 military bases, encompassing various types and levels of security.”
Notable incidents from the past year included UAS sightings at several bases in New Jersey amid a growing pattern of mysterious drone activity in the region. A senior defense official had previously expressed the Pentagon’s frustration regarding these occurrences.
Guillot highlighted that a complex regulatory framework and restrictions on countermeasures against UAS—due to safety and privacy concerns—have left U.S. installations vulnerable to both known and unknown threats. Additionally, he pointed out that not all commanders possess the authority to defend their bases using weapons against these drone incursions, with only about half of installations classified as “covered installations.”
This vulnerability is outlined under Section 130i of Title 10 of the U.S. Code, which addresses the protection of “certain facilities and assets from unmanned aircraft.”
This report from Defense Scoop highlights a pressing issue regarding drone incursions at U.S. military installations. General Gregory Guillot’s testimony underscores the growing challenge of small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) as potential threats to national security, particularly concerning surveillance of sensitive military capabilities.
The sheer volume of reported incidents—350 detections at over 100 installations—reveals the scale of the problem. High-profile sightings, such as those in New Jersey, not only raise concerns about operational security but also emphasize the need for a more robust response framework.
Guillot’s remarks on regulatory limitations and the inconsistency in authorities among military commanders further illustrate critical gaps in current defense strategies. With only about half of the military installations possessing the necessary authority to use defensive measures, there’s an urgent need for the Pentagon to streamline regulations and expand capabilities.
Addressing drone incursions requires a multi-faceted approach, from improving detection technologies to reconsidering legal frameworks around UAS countermeasures. As drone technology continues to evolve, so must our strategies to safeguard sensitive military assets effectively. The Pentagon must prioritize these developments to ensure that U.S. military installations are adequately protected from both known and emerging threats.