New legislation, the COUNTER Act, has been introduced to bolster the U.S. military’s capability to defend against unauthorized drone activity over its domestic bases. This bipartisan bill follows incidents such as the 2023 unauthorized drone incursions over Langley Air Force Base, where military officials faced a critical oversight: they lacked the legal authority to shoot down the drones. The legislation aims to expand the definition of ‘covered facilities’—military installations with the power to engage with unidentified drones—by allowing all bases with a well-defined perimeter to apply for such authorization. The bill also delegates authority to combatant commanders, streamlining the approval process in emergencies to ensure swift response to drone threats.
The COUNTER Act has garnered broad support across party lines, with key backing from Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), as well, as Representatives August Pfluger (R-Texas) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.). Currently, only half of the 360 U.S. military bases are designated ‘covered facilities,’ leaving many vulnerable to potential drone threats. The legislation would expand this narrow definition, enabling more installations to protect their airspace and sensitive infrastructure. The bill’s proponents argue that the growing presence of commercial drones presents a critical national security risk, especially as these unmanned systems can be used for surveillance or even attacks.
Gen. Gregory Guillot, chief of Northern Command and NORAD, highlighted the urgency of the issue, noting that in 2023, there were over 350 unauthorized drone sightings at military installations nationwide. He argued that the current regulatory framework for counter-drone measures is inadequate, leaving installations vulnerable to surveillance and potential attacks. The legislation addresses these concerns by allowing a broader range of installations to engage with drones and by expanding the authority of command to act swiftly in the face of threats. This development underscores the growing importance of drone defense in modern U.S. military strategy, reflecting the nation’s heightened concerns about emerging aerial threats to national security.
Recent legislative developments underscore the U.S. military’s growing concerns over the potential threat posed by unauthorized drones over domestic installations. A newly introduced bipartisan bill, the COUNTER Act, aims to empower U.S. forces to intercept hostile unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in their airspace, addressing a critical gap in national security protocols. The legislation follows a series of high-profile incidents, including the 2023 unauthorized drone activity over Langley Air Force Base, where military officials were unable to legally shoot down the intruding drones. This oversight has led to a call for expanded counter-drone capabilities under the new bill.
The COUNTER Act, led by prominent lawmakers such as Senators Tom Cotton and Kirsten Gillibrand, as well as Representatives August Pfluger and Chrissy Houlahan, seeks to redefine the scope of ‘covered facilities’—those military installations with the authority to engage with unidentified drones. Currently, only half of the 360 U.S. bases are classified as covered facilities, leaving the rest vulnerable to potential threats. The bill would allow any military installation with a clearly defined perimeter to apply for approval to counter drone incursions, significantly expanding the number of bases protected under existing protocols. This expansion is intended to provide a more robust defense against the increasing prevalence of commercial drones, which can be exploited for surveillance or other malicious purposes.
Gen. Gregory Guillot, the head of Northern Command and NORAD, has emphasized the urgency of the situation. In a recent Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, he reported that the military recorded over 350 unauthorized drone sightings at military installations in the United States alone in the previous year. While the exact intentions of these drones remain unclear, Guillot warned that they could pose a significant threat by allowing unauthorized actors to gather intelligence on sensitive military operations. The legislation would address this by enabling more bases to engage with drones and by giving combatant commanders the authority to act quickly without waiting for lengthy approval processes.
The bill’s proponents argue that the lack of a standardized counter-drone protocol has left the military ill-prepared to deal with aerial threats. The unauthorized drone activity over Langley Air Force Base, home to key national security assets and the F-22 Raptor stealth fighters, epitomized the vulnerability of current defenses. During the incident, officials found themselves at a loss for how to respond, as military protocols did not explicitly authorize the use of force against UAVs over U.S. territory. The Pentagon, which has provided minimal details on the matter, has not confirmed whether any of the drones were associated with hostile actors, further highlighting the ambiguity surrounding these incursions.
The COUNTER Act’s supporters, including Gillibrand, have stressed the need for enhanced counter-drone measures to prevent potential misuse of commercial drones by adversaries. Gillibrand has voiced concerns that drones could be used to transmit sensitive information to foreign entities, conduct attacks on military personnel, or otherwise jeopardize national security. The legislation, she argued, is essential for safeguarding both American military installations and the public from emerging aerial threats. Meanwhile, lawmakers and military officials continue to seek answers about the origin of these drones, with many of the inquiries ultimately being directed to the FBI, Northern Command, and local law enforcement. The uncertainty surrounding these incidents has underscored the necessity of legislative action to address the growing challenge posed by unauthorized drone activity over U.S. territory.
As the military continues to confront the complexities of drone warfare, the COUNTER Act represents a significant step forward in modernizing the nation’s defense capabilities. By expanding the authority of military installations to engage with drones and streamlining emergency response protocols, the legislation aims to close the gaps in current security measures. The bill’s passage is expected to enhance the U.S. military’s readiness to counter threats from both state and non-state actors, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to protecting its sovereignty and national security in an increasingly complex technological landscape.