US scrambled F-15E Strike Eagles to intercept drones over UK

Reports surfaced of a high-stakes incident over RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom, where US F-15E Strike Eagles were allegedly scrambled to intercept drones near the key US Air Force base. While the US Air Force (USAF) has not officially confirmed the launch, the incident highlights the increasing threat of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to military installations.

RAF Lakenheath, a vital hub for NATO and the US Air Force in Europe, houses the 48th Fighter Wing, which operates both F-15E Strike Eagles and F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

These aircraft provide complementary capabilities, with the F-15E excelling in precision strikes and the F-35A offering stealth and advanced sensors. The base’s strategic importance makes it a target for reconnaissance and potential interference.

The alleged drone sighting at Lakenheath follows several similar incidents. In December 2023, Langley Air Force Base in Virginia saw a series of drone incursions, and days before the Lakenheath event, drones were spotted over the US Army’s Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey. These drones, though not immediately threatening, disrupted operations and raised concerns over the ability of existing air defenses to counter evolving UAS technology.

Despite RAF Lakenheath's advanced layered defense systems, including radar and detection tools, drones—often inexpensive and commercially available—pose significant challenges. They can evade traditional detection, and some could carry harmful payloads or conduct electronic warfare. The incident underscores the growing vulnerability of military bases to such asymmetric threats.

RAF Lakenheath has long been a key US airpower base, supporting missions from Operation El Dorado Canyon in 1986 to more recent operations in the Middle East. Its ongoing upgrades and role in NATO's defense strategy reinforce its importance. As drone incursions test the limits of airspace security, the US military must enhance counter-UAS capabilities to protect vital installations like Lakenheath.

By Vafa Guliyeva