US Drone Defense: New Military Powers and Technology Secrecy
The COUNTER Act enhances the US military's ability to neutralize threats from unmanned aircraft systems, both domestically and abroad. This grants the military greater operational freedom in defending critical assets and personnel, while also protecting the details of the technologies used from disclosure. For citizens, this means potentially increased security in strategically important areas, but also less transparency regarding defense methods.
Key points
The US military gains broader authority to neutralize drones posing a threat to national security and assets.
Information on technologies and procedures used for drone countermeasures will be exempt from public disclosure to ensure operational security.
The act expands the scope of activities where the military can use these authorities, including protecting military buildings and assisting in responses to WMD incidents.
Certain laws related to computer crimes and aviation will not apply to Department of Defense and Coast Guard activities conducted outside the US for drone threat mitigation.
Introduced
Additional Information
Print number: 119_S_1793
Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Process start date: 2025-05-15