Indian Strategic Studies: Defending the Homeland: Pentagon Shifts Strategy on Drone Threats
AI Analysis
The Pentagon has released updated C-UAS policy granting commanders greater authority to defend against drone threats, extending defensive perimeters beyond installation boundaries. This shift comes amidst increased UAS activity, including an incident where a classified laser system was used against suspected cartel drones (later identified as balloons). The new policy aims to consolidate and modernize previous, inadequate guidance.
Key Takeaways
- New DoD policy consolidates ten previous C-UAS memoranda.
- Commanders now have expanded authority to engage UAS threats beyond facility 'fence lines'.
- The policy emphasizes a 'DoD airspace is off limits' approach.
- CBP utilized a classified Pentagon laser system at Fort Bliss Air Base to intercept UAS, mistakenly targeting party balloons.
- The incident prompted a temporary airspace closure around El Paso International Airport.
Why It Matters
This policy change signals a more proactive and aggressive stance towards countering UAS threats within the US homeland. The incident with the laser system highlights the challenges of accurate identification and the potential for misidentification, necessitating improved detection and discrimination capabilities. The expanded authority granted to commanders will likely lead to increased C-UAS deployments and testing of various countermeasure technologies.
Indian Strategic Studies: Defending the Homeland: Pentagon Shifts Strategy on Drone Threats
Walter Pincus
OPINION — “This memorandum consolidates approximately ten separate outdated memoranda that were inadequate to address the current, complex unmanned aircraft system (UAS) threat environment. The new guidance affects a culture shift by empowering commanders to unambiguously apply their authority to mitigate threat UAS. Our message is clear, Department of War (DoW) airspace is off limits, and our commanders on the ground have the discretion to defend our airspace against all manner of UAS threats…Expanding the Defensive Perimeter : Grants commanders the authority to extend defensive actions beyond the physical ‘fence line’ of an installation; allows for the adequate protection of covered facilities, fixed assets, and mobile assets; placing trust in the commander and maximizing their flexibility to defend facilities and assets.”
That’s a quote from last Tuesday’s Defense Department (DoD) press release, Fact Sheet: C-UAS [counter unmanned aircraft systems] Policy in the U.S. Homeland. It was issued just hours before the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) temporarily closed airspace within an 11-mile radius of El Paso International Airport, but after Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel on the day before [Monday, February 9] used a classified Pentagon laser system on nearby Fort Bliss Air Base, to shoot down what they thought were drug cartel UAS systems [drones], but turned out to be metallic party balloons.