As the use of drones becomes increasingly sophisticated, U.S. military officials are prioritizing advancements in technology to bolster defenses against aerial threats, both abroad and domestically.
**Pentagon Responds to Evolving Drone Warfare Amid Rising Threats**
**Pentagon Responds to Evolving Drone Warfare Amid Rising Threats**
The Pentagon is reassessing its drone defense strategies in light of recent drone warfare tactics seen in Ukraine and Israel.
July 10, 2025, 10:13 a.m. ET
By Julian E. Barnes and Eric Schmitt
In response to changing dynamics in drone warfare, the Pentagon is ramping up its drone defense capabilities. Over the past 18 months, following a fatal incident involving Army reservists in Jordan by an Iran-backed militia, defense officials have become increasingly aware of vulnerabilities in U.S. military operations linked to drone attacks.
Recent operations by both Ukraine and Israel have prompted the U.S. military to reassess the scope of drone threats. Reports reveal how Israeli agencies have successfully executed drone strikes deep within Iran, while Ukraine’s bold Operation Spider's Web, which targeted Russian bombers from within Russian territory, underscores the capacity for drone warfare to present risks on American shores.
American defense contractors are accelerating the development of innovative technologies aimed at effectively intercepting enemy drones. A significant investment is anticipated from the Pentagon's project known as the “Golden Dome” — a missile defense program that also aims to enhance drone defense systems.
Among the advancements are systems employing directed energy, such as high-powered microwave technologies, capable of neutralizing swarms of drones in a single operation. The military has already conducted two successful tests of these microwave systems in diverse locations, which set a clear direction for future Pentagon investments in cutting-edge drone defense capabilities.
As the landscape of modern warfare evolves, the Pentagon acknowledges that preparation and innovation will be crucial in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of U.S. military forces in the face of increasingly complex aerial threats.
By Julian E. Barnes and Eric Schmitt
In response to changing dynamics in drone warfare, the Pentagon is ramping up its drone defense capabilities. Over the past 18 months, following a fatal incident involving Army reservists in Jordan by an Iran-backed militia, defense officials have become increasingly aware of vulnerabilities in U.S. military operations linked to drone attacks.
Recent operations by both Ukraine and Israel have prompted the U.S. military to reassess the scope of drone threats. Reports reveal how Israeli agencies have successfully executed drone strikes deep within Iran, while Ukraine’s bold Operation Spider's Web, which targeted Russian bombers from within Russian territory, underscores the capacity for drone warfare to present risks on American shores.
American defense contractors are accelerating the development of innovative technologies aimed at effectively intercepting enemy drones. A significant investment is anticipated from the Pentagon's project known as the “Golden Dome” — a missile defense program that also aims to enhance drone defense systems.
Among the advancements are systems employing directed energy, such as high-powered microwave technologies, capable of neutralizing swarms of drones in a single operation. The military has already conducted two successful tests of these microwave systems in diverse locations, which set a clear direction for future Pentagon investments in cutting-edge drone defense capabilities.
As the landscape of modern warfare evolves, the Pentagon acknowledges that preparation and innovation will be crucial in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of U.S. military forces in the face of increasingly complex aerial threats.
