A top commander responsible for defending the US homeland has warned that American military bases are ill-equipped to repel a swarm of small attack drones.
Army Lt. Gen. Joseph Jarrard, deputy commander of U.S. Northern Command and vice commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), said that some bases lack the sensors needed to spot and track an incoming drone swarm or the weapons to take it out. "We don't have the sensors, and depending on where that swarm is going to attack, it depends on whether we have any sensors at all, and also whether we've got any effectors to go after that problem," Jarrard said.
Jarrard noted that detection is a major issue, and that NORAD is working to improve its ability to detect and respond to drone threats. The military is seeking billions of dollars in funding for new counter-drone weapons, but Jarrard's comments suggest that the gap between the Pentagon's plans and the protection available at installations today remains significant.
The warning comes as the Pentagon seeks to address a growing concern about the threat posed by low-cost drones. These devices have been used to attack equipment, infrastructure, and personnel in conflicts such as those in Ukraine and the Middle East. Jarrard said that the military must be able to identify and prevent drone threats quickly, and that this requires improvements in detection capabilities and the integration of new technologies.
The issue has also been raised by other officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has called for a serious investigation into reports of unidentified objects flying over military installations. While Jarrard's comments were focused on the specific threat posed by drone swarms, his warning highlights the need for the military to improve its ability to detect and respond to a range of aerial threats.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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