Counter Drone Systems Tested for National Security
Fort Walton Beach, Florida — US Northern Command has collaborated with numerous companies to assess different counter-drone technologies aimed at safeguarding key national security sites from drone threats.
During the “Falcon Peak 25.2” event at Eglin Air Force Base, USNORTHCOM exhibited the CounterSmall Unmanned Aerial System (C-SUAS) platform. The demonstration included launching a “hostile” drone from Santa Rosa Island, which was then targeted and captured using a net projected from an interceptor drone fired from a shotgun.
In the days prior to the event, around 20 anti-drone technologies were evaluated. Falcon Peak aims to provide businesses a realistic setting to test their anti-drone solutions.
One notable development comes from Squarehead Technology, which has crafted an acoustic system capable of detecting and locating drones through sound. Knut Moe, the company’s VP, noted that while many drones operate close to the ground, making them hard for radar to detect, sound-based systems can work effectively in those conditions.
Once a drone is detected, military personnel can take action to neutralize it or deploy mitigation tools like Fortem Technologies’ interceptor drones, which have minimal side effects. Jon Gruen, CEO of Fortem Technologies, expressed optimism about future developments in this area.
Interestingly, Fortem’s C-SUAS platform can autonomously detect, track, and deal with drones. However, in certain scenarios, their interceptor drones employ explosives to destroy hostile drones.
In 2024, a troubling incident saw over a dozen drones freely traversing a military base in Virginia for 17 consecutive nights, raising concerns among lawmakers about the lack of adequate counter-drone strategies.
USNORTHCOM estimates that about 8,000 drones occupy US airspace simultaneously. Additionally, there were at least 350 drone incursions reported at more than 100 military establishments across the nation in 2024.
Jason Mayes, Operations Manager at USNORTHCOM C-SUAS Division, pointed out that not all drones pose a threat, as some belong to enthusiasts. He added that unauthorized drones in airspace, especially near military facilities, are a significant concern.
There’s a real danger that drones could be exploited for surveillance or smuggling purposes. In some conflict zones, drones are utilized as guided explosives, which complicates the situation.
General Gregory Guillot, the commander of USNORTHCOM, expressed confidence in the ability of military forces to thwart unexpected drone attacks, but he also acknowledged the need for enhanced anti-drone mechanisms to guard against sustained threats.
General Guillot has plans to establish counter-drone response units across the East Coast, West Coast, and Alaska, aiming to tackle drone incursions promptly, ideally within 24 hours.
Looking ahead, USNORTHCOM expects an uptick in drone incursions at national security sites, particularly as the popularity of hobby drones grows. Currently, around 1 million registered drones are documented with the Federal Aviation Administration, a number projected to reach approximately 2.7 million by 2027.
