Multiple incursions by unknown-origin drones occurred over US and allied military bases, leading to airspace closures and security responses.
Former US government insider Brett Feddersen confirms foreign adversaries, especially China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, use drones for espionage and pattern-of-life surveillance.
Adversaries recruit or exploit unwitting US drone operators and leverage data from Chinese-manufactured drones to gather intelligence.
An estimated 350 military base airspace violations occurred in the past year, with some traced to foreign nationals, such as at Vandenberg.
Large commercial drones capable of carrying heavy payloads are used for both legitimate civilian purposes and potential kinetic attacks.
Counter-drone technologies exist but require complex layered sensor deployments; detection gaps were evident during incidents like the Langley AFB incursions.
The US Department of Defense is deploying layered counter-UAS systems to protect military bases and critical infrastructure, but vulnerabilities remain.
Drone threats extend beyond espionage to potential remote attacks similar to operations in Ukraine or Israel and to cartel smuggling and surveillance along the US border.
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