Drones: A Growing Concern and a Chance for the U. S. to Shine

Drones are becoming a big worry. They can cause a lot of damage quickly. The Army Secretary, Dan Driscoll, thinks this is one of the biggest threats we face. But he also believes the U.S. is handling it well.

The Army's Leading Role

The Army is leading the way in dealing with this drone problem. They are working closely with police and other agencies. Drones are different from other threats. They are:

• Cheap
• Easy to make
• Can cross borders fast

This makes them a flying bomb that anyone can use.

The Scale of the Problem

Last year, there were many unauthorized drone flights:

• Over 350 drones flew over military bases.
• More than 27,000 drones were spotted near the southern border.
• Even at sports events, drones are a growing issue.

Collaboration and Future Plans

The Army is teaming up with law enforcement. They are working at:

• Borders
• Ports
• Big events (including upcoming NFL games, the Olympics, and the World Cup)

The goal is to keep everyone safe.

Optimism and Innovation

Driscoll thinks the U.S. can lead the way in solving this problem. He is optimistic about finding a solution. He wants a system that can track every drone in the sky. This way, Americans and companies like Amazon can use drones safely.

The U.S. is also working on making its own drones. They want to catch up with China, which is currently leading in drone production. The Army plans to build important parts for drones. This will help American companies make better drones.

Challenges and Hope

The recent government shutdown caused delays. It will take months to get back on track. Driscoll hopes the Army can focus on modernizing and preparing for future threats.