Alarm sounded by specialists over anticipated severe drone assaults during Congressional gathering
In a recent House committee hearing, concerns were raised about the growing threat of drones to critical infrastructure in the United States. Michael Robbins, president and CEO of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International, warned of a "lack of federal action and investment" that has left a dangerous gap in the nation's ability to respond to drone activity.
The hearing, titled "Surveillance, Sabotage, and Strikes: Industry Perspectives on How Drone Warfare Abroad Is Transforming Threats at Home," came months after the eastern seaboard was rattled by dozens of drone sightings. The witnesses painted an ominous picture of drone warfare in the U.S., and vulnerabilities if measures aren't taken to reduce the threats.
According to Robbins, only four federal agencies - the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Energy, and Justice - are currently authorized to "detect and mitigate" drone threats, and their authorities are very limited. He argued that congressional action is needed to expand counter unmanned aircraft system authorities due to the growing threats.
Experts like Tom Walker, CEO of DroneUp, reported a "sharp escalation in drone-related threats" with 411 illegal drone incursions near airports in early 2025. It is imperative, according to Walker, to treat low-altitude airspace as a "governed domain."
The current measures and proposed solutions for addressing drone threats to U.S. critical infrastructure involve a combination of legislative action, technology deployment, expanded authorities, training, and coordination across agencies. The Department of Defense and NORTHCOM have been installing new, more sensitive radar systems optimized to detect low-flying drones, addressing gaps in Cold War-era air defense radars.
The U.S. Army and other military branches are developing portable counter-drone systems, such as the Vehicle Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment (VAMPIRE). NORTHCOM is creating "fly-away kits" with advanced anti-drone technology designed to quickly augment bases under drone threat within a year timeframe.
Recent White House executive orders have established a Federal Task Force to review drone rules, close legal gaps, and recommend new counter-drone tactics for protecting airspace from malicious drone operators. Industry experts and public safety officials are calling Congress to pass legislation expanding drone detection and mitigation authority beyond the federal government, extending powers to state and local law enforcement and security professionals responsible for critical U.S. infrastructure.
A federally accredited counter-drone training curriculum is proposed to build expertise among law enforcement and security personnel. States, notably New York, are lobbying for authority to intercept or neutralize threatening drones themselves, emphasizing the urgent need especially before the 2026 FIFA World Cup and other major events. Legislative proposals like the Safeguarding the Homeland from the Threats Posed by Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act aim to provide legal authority to states to actively defend critical infrastructure such as population centers, utilities, and military assets.
Brett Feddersen, vice president of strategy and government affairs at D-Fend Solutions, explained how drone warfare has evolved overseas and is becoming an emerging threat in the U.S. He described a more frightening scenario of drone attacks causing mass casualties, specifically through aerosol dispersal or payload delivery over mass gatherings.
The U.S. government recognizes the necessity of a multi-layered, long-term strategy combining detection, interdiction, and legal frameworks to counter drone threats effectively, learning from recent large-scale drone attacks overseas. The approach is rapidly evolving from limited centralized federal capabilities to a more distributed, legally empowered, and technologically advanced defense posture involving multiple government layers to detect, mitigate, and respond to drone threats aimed at vital infrastructure.
- The hearing on drone warfare and threats at home highlighted the need for policy-and-legislation expansion to address the growing threats, as called for by experts like Brett Feddersen and Michael Robbins.
- The U.S. government is acknowledging the significance of a long-term strategy, involving technology deployment, legislative action, and expanded authorities, to counter cybersecurity threats from drones to critical infrastructure like population centers, utilities, and military assets.
