US Military Can Now Down Drones Flying Over US Bases

If you own a commercial or privately-owned drone, you now fly over any military base at the risk of losing your aircraft. The Pentagon has given the military the green light and new guidelines allowing the military to down drones flying near or over select US military bases.

The classified guidance was first issued back in July by Defense Secretary Bob Work and the updated guide lines were then issued to domestic US military installations on Friday. These updated guidelines for base commanders was designed to help bases communicate with local communities about the new restrictions.

“The increase of commercial and private drones in the United States has raised our concerns with regards to safety and security of our installations,” US Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters at the Pentagon Monday.

Military analysts have long been concerned about the possibility of drones being used against the US for espionage purposes. Additionally, terror groups like ISIS have been able to weaponize commercially available drones, increasingly using them in combat in Iraq and Syria.

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It is not clear how the military would down a drone should the need arise but the Defense Department has developed a series of countermeasures capable of bringing down drones. Some of these have been deployed to places like Syria and Iraq. While conventional weapons could be used to shoot down a drone, other countermeasures include non-kinetic methods like the use of radio waves to disrupt drone flight.

The Pentagon has worked closely with the Dept. of Homeland Security on these measures and allows the military the options of using conventional weapons to shoot down a drone or other countermeasures include non-kinetic methods like the use of radio waves to disrupt drone flight. Local commanders will now have that option if a drone is deemed to fly over a base that is deemed sensitive or pose a specific threat.

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