tech
America Needs to Get Serious About Drones
The new age of war is already here, swarming over Barksdale Air Force Base.
TL;DR
- Ukraine has effectively used small, cheap drones in warfare, a development the U.S. has largely overlooked.
- Advanced, jam-resistant drones were observed over Barksdale Air Force Base for extended periods, surveilling sensitive locations.
- Barksdale houses nuclear-capable B-52H bombers and the Global Strike Command, raising concerns about potential vulnerabilities.
- The drone operators likely launched from within the U.S., suggesting foreign actors are probing American defenses.
- Similar incidents have occurred at Fort McNair, and NATO countries have reported numerous drone incursions.
- Potential culprits include Iran, Russia, and China, all possessing the capability and motivation to conduct such surveillance.
- The U.S. faces challenges in defending vast airspace and numerous potential targets against a wide range of drone threats.
- Current U.S. Air Force doctrine of Agile Combat Employment may not be sufficient against small drone swarms with near-real-time targeting.
- The article suggests the U.S. needs to reconsider hardened shelters for nuclear-capable bombers and adopt protective measures similar to Ukraine's, such as netting and interceptor drones.