When there’s something flying, and it’s up to no good…
Who ya gonna call?
…Dronebusters!
The Pentagon is arming two military installations in New Jersey with counter-drone technology, giving them extra tools to better defend their airspace from any unauthorized drone incursions. One of the systems the Pentagon mentioned by name is the Dronebuster.
- The US military has confirmed recent drone activity around bases in New Jersey.
- The Pentagon said this week that it sent counter-drone technology to two installations.
- One of these systems has been identified as the Dronebuster, a hand-held electronic warfare tool.
The US military confirmed drone sightings at Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle this month, as well as multiple sightings at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, with drones at one point forcing the base to close its airspace. A spokesperson for the Joint Staff said last weekend that drone activities over bases are not a new issue but criticized some of the recent incidents as “irresponsible.”
Amid recent drone drama, there have been repeated calls to shoot down unidentified aircraft, particularly those near military bases.
The Pentagon said this week that “if a determination is made that unauthorized drones are conducting any malign or malicious activity, commanders are authorized to take appropriate action to mitigate and counter these unmanned systems,” but the military is not going to be engaging anything kinetically, a spokesperson added, unless it is a “clear and present danger.”
Military bases have some existing capabilities to deal with drone incursions, but the Pentagon acknowledged that sending more technology will help them mitigate potential threats.
Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, said that the military is providing “active and passive detection capabilities” and “counter-drone capabilities” to Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle.
