Overview
- Army Secretary Dan Driscoll labeled small drones a “flying IED,” warning they are cheap, can be 3D‑printed, and cross borders quickly.
- The Army is coordinating with police at borders, ports, and major events, including NFL games, the Olympics, and the World Cup.
- Officials aim to track what is in U.S. skies at all times, working with the FAA to deconflict airspace for civilian and commercial drone use.
- To accelerate domestic capability, the Army plans to build key components like sensors, brushless motors, and circuit boards on bases while partnering with industry.
- The Defense Department logged more than 350 unauthorized flights over about 100 military sites last year and over 27,000 detections near the southern border in late 2024, underscoring the need for layered defenses.