Majority of 350 drones detected over US military bases "likely malicious"

Some of the hundreds of drones that flew over US military bases and other sensitive locations last year were likely used with malicious intent, according to the general overseeing the response to domestic airspace incursions. Speaking at a Senate hearing this week, US Air Force Gen. Gregory M. Guillot, commander of US Northern Command (NORTHCOM) and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), emphasized the need for expanded authority to better protect these sites.

“The primary concern I have regarding their operations is the potential for detection and surveillance of sensitive capabilities on our installations,” Guillot told the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) during a recent budget request hearing, The War Zone reported. He was addressing a question about the numerous drone intrusions over US military facilities, such as those at Langley Air Force Base in 2023, which were first reported by our publication. However, Guillot did not disclose, nor was he asked, who was behind these drone flights. 

Currently, counter-drone defenses at US installations are largely limited to electronic warfare measures, primarily for detection and awareness. More advanced systems, such as directed energy weapons—including lasers and high-power microwave systems—as well as kinetic countermeasures, are not authorized for use, highlighting a significant gap in defense capabilities. This concern was previously raised following a visit to Guillot’s headquarters in Colorado Springs last year.

Guillot described the scope of the threat as extensive, noting, “There were 350 detections reported last year across 100 different military installations, varying in type and security level.”

Last month, US Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) told reporters that adversaries are likely behind some of these incursions, stating, “It just makes sense that they would do this.”

Legal and regulatory restrictions often complicate the deployment of counter-drone systems within US territory. Concerns over collateral damage further limit active measures against drone threats. Guillot informed senators that only about half of the 360 US military bases—classified as “covered installations”—are authorized to take defensive actions against drones.

He explained that nine criteria determine whether an installation qualifies for protection, ranging from nuclear deterrence and missile defense to testing facilities.

To address these challenges, Guillot advocated for expanding the scope of US law under “130i,” referring to Title 10, US Code, Section 130i, which governs the protection of specific facilities and assets from unmanned aircraft.

Currently, 130i grants the US military the ability to take action against drones by disrupting their control, interfering with communications, or even using force to disable or destroy them. However, Guillot argued that the law does not go far enough and should extend to all military installations, not just those currently designated as “covered.”

By Nazrin Sadigova