U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) has called on Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to address growing concerns over unexplained drone sightings across the Eastern United States.
In a letter sent to the Department of Defense (DOD), Blackburn pressed for clarity on the agency’s response and the measures in place to counter potential threats to national security.
The sightings, reported near critical infrastructure and sensitive locations, have raised alarms about a broader pattern of foreign surveillance targeting the United States.
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Blackburn linked these incidents to other recent threats, including the 2023 Chinese spy balloon and the Chinese-backed “Salt Typhoon” hack that infiltrated U.S. telecommunications networks.
“These actions demonstrate a clear willingness from adversarial nations to utilize unconventional technologies to surveil, gather intelligence, and intimidate,” Blackburn stated in her letter.
In her letter, Blackburn requested detailed information on the DOD’s assessment of the drone sightings, the counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (c-UAS) currently deployed, and how the DOD is working with federal, state, and local authorities to address these challenges.
“The persistence of credible sightings indicates a significant and evolving risk,” she warned. “The drone sightings across the East Coast should be viewed…as part of an ongoing, multidimensional threat to our national security.”
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Blackburn emphasized the urgency of a decisive response to send a strong signal to any adversary seeking to undermine U.S. security. She urged the DOD to take all necessary steps, including potential military action, to ensure airspace protection and safeguard the American public.
“A clear and immediate response will not only mitigate the current threat but also send a message to any foreign power seeking to undermine the security and safety of the United States,” Blackburn concluded.
Senator Blackburn’s call for action comes amid rising concerns over unconventional surveillance methods by foreign powers. As reports of drone activity increase, the DOD faces mounting pressure to provide transparency and deploy robust countermeasures to neutralize potential threats.
The DOD has yet to publicly respond to the senator’s letter or provide updates on its assessments of the ongoing incidents.
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