US Military Expands Counter-Drone Defenses After Base Incursions and Middle East Threats
U.S. military leaders said small unmanned aircraft are increasingly threatening both domestic installations and overseas operations, prompting a broader push to improve counter-drone defenses. Gen. Gregory Guillot told lawmakers that 350 drone detections were reported over the past year across 100 U.S. military installations, with the primary concern being surveillance of sensitive capabilities by known and unknown actors. He said existing authorities under Title 10, Section 130i are too narrow because only about half of installations are covered and commanders often cannot act against drones flying just outside base perimeters. NORTHCOM and NORAD have since established a dedicated counter-drone operations branch, and the Pentagon designated NORTHCOM as the lead coordinator for counter-small UAS efforts in the continental United States and Alaska.
At the same time, the Pentagon is continuing to send counter-UAS systems to the Middle East through Joint Interagency Task Force 401 as regional tensions and an unstable ceasefire sustain demand for air defense. JIATF-401 said it committed more than $600 million in counter-drone defenses for Operation Epic Fury and domestic missions, including about $350 million in roughly 30 days for CENTCOM. Officials and outside experts said the threat now spans Iran-backed drone activity, lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war, unauthorized flights over bases such as Barksdale Air Force Base, southern border operations, and security planning for major events including the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Defense Department is also testing commercially available systems through Falcon Peak exercises to detect, track, identify, and defeat low-emission and no-emission drones.
Timeline
Apr 28, 2026
Marine Corps plans dedicated counter-drone training for 2nd Marine Division
On April 28, 2026, DefenseScoop reported that the U.S. Marine Corps would introduce a dedicated counter-UAS training lane for the 2nd Marine Division during an integrated exercise at Twentynine Palms scheduled for mid-July through late August. Marine leaders said the move reflects growing concern over small UAS and FPV drone threats and accompanies rapid fielding of counter-drone kits and updated tactics.
Apr 16, 2026
Army and Pentagon use Counter-UAS Marketplace for domestic security procurement
By April 16, 2026, the Army and Pentagon were relying on a new Counter-UAS Marketplace to speed procurement of anti-drone technologies for domestic security and military missions. Officials said federal, state, and local law enforcement could buy systems through the platform, and JIATF-401 reported roughly $13 million in counter-drone technology had been purchased since its launch.
Apr 10, 2026
U.S. military continues sending counter-drone capabilities to Middle East
On April 10, 2026, DefenseScoop reported that the U.S. military was continuing to dispatch counter-UAS capabilities to the Middle East through JIATF-401 amid the Iran conflict and an unstable ceasefire. The deployments reflected sustained operational demand for drone defense in the CENTCOM theater.
Apr 10, 2026
JIATF-401 commits over $600 million in counter-drone defenses
By April 10, 2026, Joint Interagency Task Force 401 said it had committed more than $600 million in counter-UAS defenses for Operation Epic Fury and domestic missions. About $350 million had been committed in roughly the previous 30 days for U.S. Central Command, covering both fielded and pending-delivery systems.
Feb 13, 2025
Pentagon advances Falcon Peak counter-drone technology testing
By February 2025, the Defense Department was conducting Falcon Peak demonstrations in Colorado, including Falcon Peak 25.2, to test commercially available systems for detecting, tracking, identifying, and defeating small drones. The effort included evaluation of capabilities against low-emission and no-emission UAS.
Feb 13, 2025
NORAD commander reports 350 drone detections at 100 installations
On February 13, 2025, Gen. Gregory Guillot told the Senate Armed Services Committee that 350 drone detections had been reported over the prior year across 100 U.S. military installations. He warned that current legal authorities and technology are insufficient to counter surveillance and other threats from known and unknown actors.
Feb 13, 2025
NORAD and Northcom create a counter-drone operations branch
By February 2025, NORAD and U.S. Northern Command had established a counter-drone operations branch to address growing small UAS threats to military installations and other domestic missions. The branch was cited as part of the military's response to increasing unauthorized drone activity.
Nov 1, 2024
Northcom designated lead for domestic counter-small UAS coordination
In November 2024, the Defense Department designated U.S. Northern Command as the lead synchronizer and coordinator for counter-small UAS efforts in the continental United States and Alaska. The move formalized Northcom's central role in organizing domestic military counter-drone activities.
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