Drones have changed the face of battlefield operations and reconnaissance. Diminutive, remote-controlled flying devices can observe and even attack targets with ease and accuracy. Unfortunately, these little tools can also serve a malicious purpose, like observing military bases and sensitive sites. Understandably, then, the UK and US are concerned with the arrival of drone “swarms” over air force bases in England. 

The US and UK militaries are working together to investigate scores of mystery drones at military bases in England

Military forces from the United States and the United Kingdom are working jointly to monitor and defend English bases against drones. The initiatives follow the presence of mysterious drones around Royal Air Force (RAF) bases at Mildenhall, Lakenheath, Fairford, and Feltwell. While none of the bases belong to the United States Military, American personnel, equipment, and airplanes are present at the installations. 

According to DefenseScoop, the UK and US forces have “a variety of methods” to counter the drone threat. Moreover, the drones “are yet to be attributed to any adversarial or other sources.” Still, RAF Lakenheath is home to the USAF 48th Fighter Wing’s McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle and Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II strike fighter airplanes.

These airplanes, including the spectacularly spendy F-35, are part of the military aircraft posturing with European defense in mind. However, military officials assert that the incursions haven’t harmed the bases’ personnel or assets, per iHeart. 

Worryingly, officials in the US and UK point to the sophistication of the devices and coordinated deployment as an indicator of a state actor. Moreover, the presence of the drones follows multiple warnings from MI5 and US intelligence that Russia may attempt to sabotage military installations and defense companies. 

Of course, small drones aren’t new to military and espionage work. Ukrainian military forces have used drones equipped with explosives like directional fragmentation charges (DFCs) to fight Russian invaders. Moreover, the United States has used larger, long-range drones like the famed  MQ-1B “Predator” to observe and attack targets in operational areas for decades. Today, combat arms and special forces units use portable drones to gain a battlefield edge.