A senior US military commander has warned that the US Northern Command (NORTHCOM) and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) currently lack sufficient sensors and interceptors to effectively respond to large numbers of inexpensive drones launched from within North American territory.US Army Lt. Gen. Joseph Jarrard, who serves as deputy commander of NORTHCOM and vice commander of the US element of NORAD, highlighted the capability gap during remarks at the Space and Missile Defense Symposium in Alabama.Jarrard said the commands do not currently possess enough sensing capabilities to identify and track a potential swarm of low-cost unmanned aircraft. The warning reflects growing concern within the US defense establishment over the increasing availability of inexpensive drones and their expanding use in conflicts and security incidents around the world.Unlike traditional aircraft or missiles, small drones can be relatively inexpensive and difficult to detect with conventional surveillance systems. A large number of such systems could potentially place significant demands on existing air-defense networks, particularly if they are launched from nearby locations.The general acknowledged that drone employment has become increasingly common internationally and said the US must improve its ability to detect, track, and defeat these threats. The comments highlight the need for a broader counter-unmanned aircraft system architecture that combines sensors, command-and-control capabilities, electronic warfare tools, and affordable interception options.The issue is particularly relevant to NORTHCOM and NORAD because their responsibilities include protecting the continental United States and Canada against aerospace threats. Existing defenses were largely developed around more traditional threats, while the rapid growth of small unmanned systems has created a new challenge.Developing an effective response will require the military to balance detection capability with cost. Using expensive interceptors against low-cost drones can create an unfavorable economic exchange, making affordable defensive technologies increasingly important.The warning therefore underscores a broader modernization requirement for North American air defense. As drone technology continues to evolve, US defense planners are expected to focus on expanding surveillance networks and developing scalable counter-drone systems capable of responding to large numbers of inexpensive threats.
