The Trump administration announced on Monday that it would push to develop new countermeasures against drone threats in the US, with the new strategy being an interagency effort that includes the Departments of Transportation, Defense, Homeland Security, Energy, and Justice.
“By bringing all our federal partners together, we can strengthen our ability to combat rogue drone threats and keep the flying public safe,” said US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.
“This agreement builds on the work already underway with our federal partners and establishes a consistent process to ensure counter-drone technologies can be used without compromising aviation safety," added Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Bryan Bedford.
The new strategy will focus on implementing a series of "temporary flight restrictions along the southern US border" and completing the safety assessment of the Department of Defense's high-energy laser counter-drone system.
"We have demonstrated on the Southern Border that next-generation counter-drone defenses, including high-energy lasers, can be deployed rapidly and safely alongside civilian aviation. By standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Secretary Duffy and our interagency partners, we are ensuring that American airspace remains sovereign, secure, and impenetrable,” added Secretary of Defense Pete Heghseth.
Trump deploys laser defense in Mar-a-Lago estate
The news comes just a day after security sources confirmed that a military-grade laser weapon system has been deployed as part of the air defense network protecting US President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.
Officials from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and US Northern Command confirmed to The War Zone on Sunday that counter-drone and air defense capabilities had been deployed in and around Mar-a-Lago at the request of the US Secret Service.
They cited a heightened security environment as the reason while declining to disclose operational details.
“These assets add a complementary layer of technology to enhance protection,” the statement said.
The system – AeroVironment’s LOCUST – is a high-energy laser designed to detect, track, and disable Group 1 through Group 3 aerial threats using directed-energy technology. The system can be deployed in a fixed or mobile configuration, moved on a pallet, or mounted on a vehicle.
Anna Ahronheim contributed to this report.