US tests new tech to tackle rising drone threat over American airspace

US Northern Command (NORTHCOM) is confronting a significant rise in unauthorized drone incursions over American military bases, with incidents increasing 82% from 230 in 2023–24 to 420 in 2024–25. These incursions, occurring about once or twice daily, pose security risks and operational challenges, especially since many drones are civilian hobby types but some are suspected of espionage, including a Chinese national apprehended at Vandenberg Space Force Base. Legal restrictions complicate responses, as most bases lack authority to engage drones due to FAA protections of civilian airspace; only select Department of Defense sites, such as nuclear or special operations facilities, have counter-drone authority. To address this, NORTHCOM conducts an annual exercise called “Falcon Peak,” designed to test and refine counter-drone technologies in real-world scenarios without endangering civilians. The 2025 event at Eglin Air Force Base brought together DoD units and private defense companies to evaluate detection,