In recent months, reports of unidentified drones buzzing across American skies have captivated public attention and sparked concerns among citizens, law enforcement, and military officials alike. From surveillance over sensitive military installations to potential threats at commercial nuclear power plants, widespread sightings have reignited debates about the role of technology, regulation and security in the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) era while commercial applications and airspace control are seemingly neglected by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
A surge of sightings across critical sites
In Virginia, unusual drone flights have been observed over Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, home to the elite F-22 Raptor squadron — one of America’s most advanced fighter jet units, as reported in The Wall Street Journal. The drones reportedly headed south, across the Chesapeake Bay, toward Norfolk, and over areas including the home base for the Navy’s SEAL Team Six and Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest naval port, in an episode lasting over a fortnight.
Similarly, California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base, a critical hub for satellite launches and space exploration, has reported unauthorized drone activity, leading to an arrest according to the United States Department of Justice. Even commercial nuclear power plants in various states have reported suspicious drones flying over restricted areas, raising alarms about potential security breaches.
U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, and Gov. Glenn Youngkin recently received a classified briefing at the Capitol from the departments of Defense, Homeland Security and Justice and the FBI regarding the ongoing investigation into the unexplained drone sightings in Virginia. Following the briefing, they issued the following statement:
“It has been more than a year since these sightings over key military facilities in Virginia, and the lack of answers about the nature, intent, and origin of these incidents is completely unacceptable. The safety of Virginians remains our top priority, and we are determined to continue pressing for additional details and greater coordination with state and local officials. We will stay in close contact with the relevant federal and state agencies to ensure these concerns are pursued vigorously.”
The legacy of the Wise flight
Nearly a decade ago, the small Appalachian town of Wise became a symbol of hope and technological promise when it hosted the first FAA-approved drone flight) for medical delivery. In July 2015, a drone successfully delivered medical supplies to the Remote Area Medical clinic at the Virginia-Kentucky District Fairgrounds, marking a watershed moment for unmanned aerial systems. This mission demonstrated the potential of drones to address critical healthcare needs in remote areas, and the historic drone used in that flight is now enshrined at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
The Wise mission highlighted the promise of drones as tools for suitable use — capable of overcoming logistical challenges, saving lives, and bridging gaps in access to essential resources. One of the key organizations involved, the Health Wagon, showcased how drone technology could revolutionize telemedicine by enabling the delivery of small packages of medical prescriptions to remote communities. This practical application remains a cornerstone of discussions on leveraging drones for humanitarian purposes.
The urgent need for a drone identification framework
The rapid evolution of drone technology since the Wise mission has outpaced existing regulatory frameworks, leaving critical gaps in safety and security. To address these challenges, the Federal Aviation Administration mandated that all drones be equipped with Remote ID technology earlier this year. This system acts as a digital license plate, broadcasting a drone’s registration details, location and altitude using radio signals. While promising in theory, significant obstacles remain.
A June report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) revealed that local law enforcement agencies lack access to Remote ID data, undermining the system’s effectiveness. Without real-time access to this information, authorities are ill-equipped to investigate suspicious drone activity, as evidenced by the recent incidents over critical infrastructure in Virginia.
“As long as it has a GPS and Remote ID built into the software, it can be tracked just like any other aircraft,” explained Jarrod Powers of the Virginia Highlands Regional Airport in Abingdon and former manager at the Lonesome Pine Regional Airport. However, the FAA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have yet to establish a concrete timeline for granting law enforcement access to this critical data. This delay exacerbates public concerns about national security and underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms.
Bridging the gap: Lessons from Wise
The Wise mission offers a roadmap for the future of drone integration — one that balances innovation with accountability. By incorporating robust identification systems, such as Remote ID and Mode C transponders equipped with satellite-enabled capabilities, drones could safely coexist with manned aircraft while ensuring security. Emerging technologies like low-latency satellite internet systems, such as those provided by Starlink, offer enhanced drone capabilities. With these systems, drones could broadcast longitude, latitude, and altitude data in real time, significantly improving tracking and identification in areas with limited connectivity.
Retrofitting drones with drone-to-satellite navigation systems would modernize the decade-old, maturing drone industry, begin to satisfy regulatory needs in the lower airspace of the United States, and unlock billions of dollars in rapid delivery commerce. These advancements could enable applications ranging from medical supply deliveries to various consumer products, transforming logistics and creating new economic opportunities, according to CBS News.
Such advanced tracking solutions address current security challenges and open doors for expanded use cases, including medical delivery. For example, Starlink-enabled drones could further the work of organizations like the Health Wagon by enhancing drone-to-telemedicine communication and ensuring seamless delivery of life-saving medical prescriptions to remote areas.
Experts argue that Congress must act swiftly to allocate funds and establish a comprehensive framework for unmanned aircraft systems. Such a regime would address current security challenges and pave the way for the next generation of drone applications, including advanced telemedicine, disaster response and commercial delivery systems.
A call to action
As the nation approaches the 10th anniversary of the Wise mission, the aerospace sector faces a critical inflection point. The FAA, Congress and industry leaders must unite and collaborate to create a secure, efficient airspace control regime for unmanned aircraft systems. By leveraging lessons from the Wise mission and investing in advanced identification technologies, the nation can ensure that drones remain a force for good.
The historic Wise flight almost a decade ago demonstrated the boundless potential of drones when deployed responsibly. By building on this legacy and addressing emerging challenges, the United States can lead the world in harnessing drone technology for innovation, security and societal benefit. Perhaps the Health Wagon should pioneer to Fly Wisely one more time using Unmanned Aircraft Systems to fly medications to its remote patients using Starlink for an airspace navigation connected next step telemedicine.
Jack Kennedy is a U.S. Space Force Museum docent at Cape Canaveral Station and a former member of the Virginia Commercial Spaceflight Authority, and he holds a master’s in space law and policy from University of North Dakota. He also is the retired clerk of court of Wise County and a former member of the General Assembly.
