New bill would allow military bases to shoot down unauthorized drones
In a shocking revelation in late 2023, dozens of drones were spotted flying over Langley Air Force Base, raising concerns about unauthorized drone activity over military installations in the U.S. homeland. Military officials at the base were caught off guard as they did not believe they had the authority to shoot down the unmanned vehicles.
To address this oversight, a new bipartisan bill called the COUNTER Act has been introduced to rectify this issue. The bill aims to designate more military bases as “covered facilities,” granting them the authority to engage with drones that encroach on their airspace. Led by Senators Tom Cotton and Kirsten Gillibrand in the Senate, and Representatives August Pfluger and Chrissy Houlahan in the House, the legislation has garnered broad bipartisan and bicameral support, increasing its chances of becoming law.
Currently, only half of the 360 domestic U.S. bases are considered “covered facilities,” leaving many vulnerable to drone incursions. The COUNTER Act expands the definition of a covered facility to include all military installations with well-defined perimeters, allowing them to apply for approval to engage with drones.
The bill also streamlines the process by delegating authority to combatant commanders to respond to drone attacks swiftly in emergency situations. This eliminates the need to seek approval through the chain of command, ensuring a more rapid response to potential threats.
Senator Cotton emphasized the importance of protecting military facilities from drone threats, stating that leaving them vulnerable puts service members, the public, and national security at risk. The incidents at Langley Air Force Base highlighted the lack of a standard protocol for handling drone incursions, underscoring the need for legislative action to address this issue.
General Gregory Guillot, chief of Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command, reported over 350 unauthorized drone detections over military bases in the previous year. He highlighted the threat posed by drones conducting surveillance of sensitive capabilities on installations and emphasized the need to expand authorities to address this growing concern.
The bill seeks to enhance Section 130i of Title 10, which pertains to protecting facilities and assets from unmanned aircraft. General Guillot advocated for expanding these authorities to include all military installations and extending the range beyond the perimeter to address threats before they reach the base.
As mysterious drone activity continues to pose a threat to national security, lawmakers are taking proactive steps to safeguard military installations and prevent unauthorized incursions. The COUNTER Act represents a crucial effort to strengthen defenses against drone threats and ensure the safety and security of military personnel and facilities.
