Top general concerned about drone threat to U.S. nuclear facilities
WASHINGTON -- General John Hyten, head of U.S. Strategic Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday he’s concerned about unmanned aerial systems over U.S. Air Force and naval installations.
Hyten says that with the enemy now using drones for surveillance and lethal purposes in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere, he is concerned that those types of drones could be used against U.S. weapons storage facilities, especially nuclear weapons storage facilities.
Hyten said that over the last week, he signed guidance giving his forces parameters for how they should respond if they see a threatening UAV -- unmanned aerial vehicle, or drone -- or a surveillance UAV.
He did not offer additional details in the open session.
One of the biggest revolutions over the past 15 years of war has been the rise of the drones, CBS News national security correspondent David Martin reported earlier this year for “60 Minutes.” Now, a new generation of drones is coming -- and they’re autonomous.
A swarm of drones flying over the California desert recently were operating autonomously, and the Pentagon’s Dr. Will Roper said they offered a glimpse into the future of combat.
“It opens up a completely different level of warfare, a completely different level of maneuver,” Roper said.