The Pentagon is exploring the deployment of anti-drone laser technology at Fort McNair, the Army installation in the nation's capital, following a series of unmanned aircraft sightings near the base.
Fort McNair is home to both Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, making security concerns at the facility a priority for the Trump administration.
The unmanned aircraft observations have sparked internal discussions about whether the military should activate the new directed-energy weapon system to protect the installation. Officials view the laser capability as a potential tool to counter what they describe as an emerging threat from commercial and recreational drones operating in restricted airspace.
The technology represents a shift in how the military addresses drone incursions near sensitive facilities. Traditional air defense systems designed for larger aircraft are considered excessive for the smaller unmanned vehicles that have triggered recent concerns. Laser-based countermeasures offer a more targeted and proportional response option.
The base, located on the Potomac River in southwest Washington, has historically hosted senior military and civilian leadership. The recent drone activity has accelerated discussions that were already underway about modernizing the installation's security infrastructure.
No final decision has been announced regarding deployment of the laser system. The Pentagon would need to weigh operational effectiveness against potential safety considerations for the surrounding residential areas of the capital.
The consideration of this technology underscores broader Pentagon concerns about drone threats to military installations nationwide, particularly in urban or populated areas where conventional air defense poses complications.
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