A collection of small drones was spotted flying over three U.S. Air Force bases in England last week—the latest in a worrying series of incursions that previously had been reported in Virginia.
U.S. Air Forces in Europe disclosed in a release that unidentified drones flew over and around RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Feltwell from Nov. 20 to 24.
“The number of systems fluctuated, and they ranged in sizes and configurations,” the release stated. “The sUASs were actively monitored and installation leaders determined that none of the incursions impacted base residents, facilities, or assets.”
The command declined to say if any action was taken against the drones, saying only that “we retain the right to protect our installations.”
Drones were previously reported flying over Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., where the Air Force’s F-22 Raptors are based, and officials have yet to determine who was behind them.
Other instances have also been noted. A senior defense official told reporters in May that the Pentagon was recording roughly two to three cases a week of drones flying into the airspace around domestic U.S. military bases, and in October, the Wall Street Journal reported that DOD was still investigating the drones at Langley.
Inexpensive, commercial drones are now widely available worldwide, ramping up concerns about how they could be used to spy on or disrupt military activities during peacetime and at war. The war in Ukraine has seen huge numbers of drones in combat. The Air Force has been seeking low-cost solutions for defending against drones and drone swarms for years, especially means that don’t involve firing high-end missiles.
The appearance of drones over UK bases hosting F-35 and F-15E fighters, KC-135 tankers, RC-135 surveillance aircraft, adds a new wrinkle to the matter. Whether this is a similar pattern repeating itself in a new location, or local hobbyists making a nuisance of themselves remains to be seen.