Five military installations selected to support development of advanced drone defense systems
The U.S. Department of Defense has announced the first sites selected for a directed-energy counter-drone program designed to strengthen defenses against unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
According to the Department’s announcement, Joint Interagency Task Force 401 selected five military installations for the program. The sites are Fort Huachuca, Arizona; Fort Bliss, Texas; Naval Base Kitsap, Washington; Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota; and Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.
The Department said the program will support the development and evaluation of directed-energy systems for counter-drone missions.
Directed-energy systems use concentrated energy rather than traditional projectiles to engage threats. These systems may include high-energy lasers or high-power microwave technology designed to disable or destroy drones.
Different Bases, Different Missions
The selected locations represent a wide range of military missions and operating environments.
Fort Huachuca is known for intelligence and electronic warfare operations. Fort Bliss supports missile defense and air defense missions. Naval Base Kitsap serves as a major Navy installation in the Pacific Northwest. Grand Forks Air Force Base has become an important location for unmanned aircraft operations and testing. Whiteman Air Force Base is home to the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber fleet.
The Department did not provide details about which systems may be tested at each site. It also did not announce a timeline for operational testing or deployment.
Counter-Drone Defense Remains a Priority
The announcement also comes only months after the temporary closure of civilian airspace over El Paso, Texas, highlighted the operational challenges tied to deploying directed-energy counter-UAS systems near commercial aviation. The February incident exposed tensions between counter-drone operations, aviation safety oversight, and interagency coordination after concerns emerged about the use of a laser-based counter-UAS system near El Paso International Airport. The event underscored the growing importance of clear operational frameworks as the military expands directed-energy counter-drone capabilities at installations across the United States.
Federal agencies have steadily expanded counter-UAS programs in recent years as small drones become more common in both military and civilian environments. The Department of Defense has identified low-cost unmanned aircraft as a growing operational concern because they are increasingly capable and difficult to counter with traditional air defense systems.
The Pentagon has also continued to invest in directed-energy technologies as part of broader modernization efforts. Government officials have repeatedly pointed to directed energy as a possible solution for engaging drones at lower cost and with faster response times than conventional weapons systems.
The Department stated that the selected sites will help advance the directed-energy counter-drone effort as the program moves forward.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
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