Over 350 drone sightings were reported near approximately 100 U.S. military installations last year, raising concerns about potential surveillance, according to testimony given by Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander of NORTHCOM and NORAD, to the Senate Armed Services Committee. These incidents spanned various bases with different security levels. While the drones' primary threat appears to be reconnaissance, Senator Tom Cotton expressed worry about their potential for more aggressive actions, particularly given reports of Mexican cartels using explosive-laden drones against Border Patrol agents. Guillot acknowledged the need for better drone defense capabilities and improved information sharing between the Department of Defense and other agencies like Homeland Security. He highlighted that only about half of U.S. bases currently possess adequate anti-drone defenses, a point Senator Cotton found alarming. While base commanders generally have the authority to defend against ground incursions, the same level of protection isn't consistently available for airspace. The discussion also touched on recent drone activity over New Jersey, which the White House clarified as largely authorized flights for research and other purposes, though increased hobbyist drone activity also contributed to the sightings. This prompted temporary flight restrictions from the FAA. Guillot advocated for expanded military authority regarding drone defense and interagency data exchange to address these evolving security challenges.
