Trump administration announces new US strategy to combat rogue drones, strengthen aviation safety
The Trump administration announced a coordinated federal effort to combat rogue drones, strengthen counter-drone technology, and protect US aviation safety.
On Monday, the Trump administration unveiled a comprehensive strategy aimed at countering rogue drones and bolstering aviation safety across the United States. This interagency effort, spearheaded by the Departments of Transportation, Defense, Homeland Security, Energy, and Justice, seeks to unify federal partners in the fight against unauthorized drone incursions.
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy emphasized the importance of this collaborative approach, stating, “By bringing all our federal partners together, we can strengthen our ability to combat rogue drone threats and keep the flying public safe.” The strategy builds upon existing work with federal partners and establishes a unified process for deploying counter-drone technologies without compromising aviation safety, according to Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Bryan Bedford.
The new plan prioritizes the implementation of temporary flight restrictions along the southern US border and completes the safety evaluation of the Department of Defense’s high-energy laser counter-drone system. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth highlighted the successful deployment of next-generation counter-drone defenses, including high-energy lasers, along the Southern Border.
These systems have demonstrated their ability to be deployed rapidly and safely alongside civilian aviation, ensuring that American airspace remains secure and impregnable.
The news of this strategy emerged just a day after it was confirmed that a military-grade laser weapon system, AeroVironment’s LOCUST, had been deployed at the Mar-a-Lago estate. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and US Northern Command disclosed this deployment in response to heightened security concerns, citing the deployment of counter-drone and air defense capabilities at the request of the US Secret Service.
The LOCUST system, capable of detecting, tracking, and disabling aerial threats, can be deployed in both fixed and mobile configurations.
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