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Why the US Military Can't Just Shoot Down the Mystery Drones
Small, easily weaponizable drones have become a feature of battlefields from the Middle East to Ukraine. Now the threat looms over the US homeland—and the Pentagon's ability to respond is limited.
“By all indications, [small unmanned aerial systems] will present a safety and security risk to military installations and other critical infrastructure for the foreseeable future,” NORTHCOM boss Air Force general Gregory Guillo told reporters at the time. “Mitigating those risks requires a dedicated effort across all federal departments and agencies, state, local, tribal and territorial communities, and Congress to further develop the capabilities, coordination and legal authorities necessary for detecting, tracking and addressing potential sUAS threats in the homeland.” Service members may be up to their eyes in fresh counter-drone tech overseas, but the regulatory environment at home is rigid enough that “hard kill” solutions like missiles, guns, and other kinetic interceptors aren't even considered potential options because there’s simply too much risk that they might end up inflicting collateral damage on innocent, unsuspecting civilians in nearby neighborhoods.
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