Drones Over US And Challenges To Privacy And Homeland Security

As of February 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has over 1 million registered drones in the country. That includes 409,408 commercial drones and 385,892 recreational drones. And that’s just the legal ones. The actual number could be much higher.

More drones mean more opportunities. They deliver packages, inspect infrastructure, and even help first responders save lives. Businesses love them. Hobbyists can’t get enough. Farmers use them to monitor crops. But with this explosion in drone usage comes some serious headaches.

Crowded airspace and clueless operators make things messy. Many drone pilots ignore or don’t know the rules, flying too high or too close to airports, planes, and critical infrastructure. Wildfire crews have reported dozens of drone-related airspace conflicts in recent months. That includes near midair collisions, airspace violations, and other dangerous encounters.

The FAA records about 155 drone sighting reports per month from pilots, air traffic controllers, law enforcement, and other aviation officials. NASA’s Aviation Safety Reporting System now holds over 800 reports of drones jeopardizing flight safety. Some incidents were minor, but others could have ended in disaster.

And then there’s privacy. Your neighbor’s drone might be taking scenic shots—or peeking through your window. Police departments and lawmakers are already debating how to handle drones over US homes and public spaces. Where does public airspace end and personal privacy begin?

On December 12, 2024, the Maryland governor reported seeing dozens of large drones over his residence. Just a day later, a Navy public affairs official confirmed that unidentified drones repeatedly entered the restricted airspace over Naval Weapons Station Earle in New Jersey.

Security Concerns Surrounding Drones Over US Military Installations

Security experts worry about foreign drones being used for espionage, with all the drones being caught flying over military installations and sensitive government sites.

Unauthorized Drone Incursions

In December 2023, unidentified drones were spotted hovering over Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. Similar thing happened Plant 42 in Palmdale, California in August 2024. These are some of the most sensitive military locations in the country. For that year, the U.S. Northern Command reported over 350 drone sightings across 100 military installations.

The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security launched investigations, trying to figure out who’s flying these drones and what they want. Some might be private operators testing limits, but experts aren’t ruling out espionage. Plus drones can do more than just take pictures. They can jam communications, interfere with aircraft, and even carry payloads.

The Pentagon is ramping up counter-drone defenses. New detection systems are being deployed at high-risk sites, and military bases are training personnel to spot and neutralize drones quickly. But the technology isn’t foolproof. Some drones are small, fast, and hard to detect, making them a nightmare for security teams.

Meanwhile, lawmakers are debating how to handle the problem. Should local police have the power to shoot down unauthorized drones? Should there be harsher penalties for flying over restricted areas? So far, no clear policies exist.

Surveillance and Espionage Risks

General Gregory Guillot of the U.S. Northern Command didn’t sugarcoat it when speaking to a Senate committee—some drones over US bases are conducting surveillance. That’s a terrifying thought. Military movements, classified tech, and national security strategies could all be at risk.

And here’s the worst part. Nobody knows exactly who’s flying them. Some could be curious civilians, but others? They could be foreign operatives, hackers, or even private companies hunting for sensitive information.

It’s not paranoia. In 2019, Chinese-made drones were grounded by the US Department of the Interior over fears they were sending data back to Beijing. In early 2025 Pentagon blacklisted Autel Robotics, one of the the world’s top drone manufacturers, citing national security risks. Despite the ban, foreign-made drones are still widely used across industries, including law enforcement and emergency services.

Federal Responses to Drones Over US

How bad is the surveillance problem?

While the military won’t release details, but reports suggest drones have been caught hovering over missile silos, following convoys, and flying near nuclear plants. Even if they’re just gathering visual data, that’s valuable intelligence in the wrong hands.

So, what’s the federal government doing about it?

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) Are a Band-Aid Fix

The FAA regularly issues Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) over critical areas. These restrictions ban drone flights over military sites, nuclear plants, and national landmarks. Sounds great in theory. But in practice? They don’t stop drones from flying.

Unauthorized drones still appear over sensitive locations, testing the limits of these bans. TFRs don’t prevent foreign surveillance drones from spying. They don’t stop reckless operators from breaking the law. They only work if drone pilots choose to obey them.

Technology is Trying to Keep Up

The government is betting big on counter-drone technology. Military bases and federal agencies are deploying drone detection systems that can identify rogue drones miles away. Some systems can even jam signals, hijack drones, or shoot them down.

Drones are getting smaller, smarter, and harder to track. No solution is airtight yet. In some cases, drones may operate in swarms, overwhelming defense systems.

The FAA is Pushing for Stricter Licensing

The FAA is also tightening drone regulations. It requires drone pilots to follow Part 107 regulation. Stricter licensing requirements and remote ID technology could help.

The government wants every drone to transmit its location and operator’s identity. But privacy groups are pushing back. They argue that tracking every drone violates personal freedoms and turns the airspace into a surveillance state.

The federal government is throwing millions of dollars at drone security. But right now, the skies are still filled with unauthorized, unregistered, and potentially dangerous drones.

Regulations are tightening. Technology is improving. But the drones aren’t stopping.

State-Level Actions On Unauthorized Drones Flights

Drones over US airspace aren’t just a federal problem. States are stepping in.

Earlier this week on February 25, Connecticut passed a law banning all state agencies and municipalities from buying drones from China and Russia.

Its highlights include:

Purchase Ban: Effective October 1, 2026.
Usage Ban: Effective October 1, 2028.
Immediate Ban for Emergency Services: The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), including State Police, is banned from purchasing foreign drones starting October 1, 2025. DESPP had already adopted this policy in 2024.

Weaponization Ban: Drones cannot be equipped with deadly weapons or incendiary devices.

The Connecticut drone law also prohibits operating a drone less than 250 feet above critical infrastructure, including electrical generation facilities and prisons. Penalties for violations are up to 1 year in prison, a fine of up to $2,000, or both. penalties may apply.

The bill now awaits approval by Governor Ned Lamont.

Other states are considering similar bans. Florida, Texas, and Arkansas have already limited public agencies from using Chinese-made drones. More could follow.

The main issue against this is cost.

DJI drones dominate the market, making up over 50% of all commercial drones in the U.S. They’re cheaper, widely available, and packed with advanced features. Many emergency services and law enforcement agencies rely on them. Replacing them with American-made alternatives? Not cheap.

Some agencies are resisting. They argue that banning affordable, high-tech drones hurts operations. Police use them for search-and-rescue missions. Firefighters use them to track wildfires. Farmers rely on them for crop monitoring. Switching to more expensive American-made models could set departments back thousands of dollars.

And then there’s the question of enforcement.

States can block public agencies from buying foreign drones, but what about private companies? What about hobbyists? Nothing stops civilians from flying Chinese-made drones over critical infrastructure. The federal government wants tighter restrictions, but until then, states are left patching the gaps.

Some states are also pushing for stricter no-fly zones over key sites. Nevada and Arizona are considering laws to ban drones near military bases, airports, and power plants. Violators could face hefty fines or even jail time.

Debates Over Authority and Enforcement

Who’s Allowed to Shoot Down Drones Over US Airspace?

Right now, only federal agencies have the legal authority to shoot down drones. State and local police? They’re not allowed to take action—yet.

Lawmakers want to change that. A 2024 bill proposed expanding counter-drone powers to law enforcement across the country. But the bill was rejected by the U.S. Senate in December 2024. They cited civil liberties concerns and potential abuse. Critics worried that expanding drone enforcement could lead to wrongful takedowns of legal drones, excessive use of force, or increased surveillance of civilians.

So even if a drone is hovering over a military base, nuclear plant, or government building, local law enforcement must sit back and wait for federal intervention.

That’s a problem.

Drones are fast, small, and often disappear before authorities can react. If a rogue drone is gathering intelligence or interfering with an operation, waiting for federal approval wastes time.

And there’s another issue—who pays for counter-drone tech?

Counter-Drone Defense is Expensive

Detecting and taking down drones isn’t simple. The military spends millions on high-tech systems that can jam, hijack, or destroy drones in real time. But local police departments? They don’t have that kind of budget.

A single counter-drone system can cost anywhere from $250,000 to over $1 million. Smaller cities and towns can’t afford that. If local authorities are given the right to act against drones, they’ll need the tools to do it—and right now, most don’t.

Nassau County, N.Y., has however unveiled a new drone command center to track drones from miles away. This comes after a surge in “mysterious” drone sightings across the region. While the center can detect drones, it lacks the ability to stop them. Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder stressed the need for federal support to implement drone mitigation technology, like signal jammers.

Until then, county officials have authorized police to take action, including shooting down drones if they pose a threat. County Executive Bruce Blakeman said they don’t want to wait for a disaster before acting.

Right now, elite snipers are on standby to take down any drone deemed dangerous. FAA regulations usually prevent shooting down drones, but in some cases, like temporary restrictions in New Jersey, deadly force has been permitted.

Drone Operators Fight Back

Not everyone agrees that law enforcement should have broader powers.

Commercial drone pilots, hobbyists, and drone manufacturers pushed back against the bill, arguing that it would lead to over-policing of legal drones. A photographer filming real estate or a farmer using drones for crop monitoring could be mistaken for threats and have their drones taken down.

Pilots also argue that not all drone sightings are hostile. Some drones flying over military sites may belong to research teams, news agencies, or government contractors. Expanding law enforcement powers could criminalize legal drone operations and put innocent pilots at risk.

The Role of Foreign-Made Drones in US Airspace

A huge chunk of the drones in US airspace come from China. Their drones are everywhere—from Hollywood film sets to police departments. They’re cheaper, packed with cutting-edge features, and widely available.

While lawmakers aren’t happy about it, there is pushback to protect them.

Not everyone agrees with the bans.

Many industries rely on DJI drones. Farmers use them to monitor crops. Emergency responders track wildfires and natural disasters. Construction companies survey sites with high accuracy.

Now, they’re being told to replace their drones with US-made alternatives. The problem? American drones cost significantly more.

A DJI drone that costs $3,000 might have an American-made counterpart priced at $8,000 or more. That’s a massive financial hit for small businesses, law enforcement agencies, and government departments operating on tight budgets. Newcomers like Anzu Raptor are bridging the divide by using DJI hardware under special licensing agreement. Their Raptor drones are based on popular DJI models, and the components are manufactured and assembled in Malaysia before shipping to the company’s headquarters in Austin, Texas, for firmware installation and quality control. This results in more affordable units.

Balancing Security and Cost

The federal government is trying to strike a balance. Some officials want strict bans on all foreign-made drones. Others argue that better cybersecurity measures would be a smarter approach than outright bans.

Right now, there’s no unified rule. Some agencies are still flying DJI drones. Others have switched to American brands like Skydio and Teal Drones.

But as tensions between the US and China continue, expect tighter regulations on foreign drones.

The question is—who’s willing to pay the price?

Drones Over US And Challenges To Privacy And Homeland Security

Drones Over US And Challenges To Privacy And Homeland Security