The Pentagon is considering sending a powerful anti-drone laser system to the military base in Washington where Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio reside, "Hvylya" reports, citing The New York Times.
Four people briefed on the matter said the Army is weighing deployment of the LOCUST laser system near the two officials' residences at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Southwest Washington. The plans remain in flux, the sources said, requesting anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
The Army has been debating the move after reports of unusual drone activity in the airspace around Fort McNair. The sightings have prompted concerns about possible surveillance of two high-ranking national security officials at a time when the United States is at war with Iran.
Placing the lasers near the base would add complexity to Washington's heavily traveled airspace. Ronald Reagan National Airport sits just two miles from Fort McNair, across the Potomac River in Northern Virginia.
Heather Chairez, a spokeswoman for the Army-led joint task force in the national capital region, said she was "aware of the reported drone sightings near Fort McNair and the surrounding areas." While there was no credible threat, Chairez said, the task force had increased its anti-drone activities "to keep our service members and civilians who work and live on Fort McNair safe."
The drone sightings near Fort McNair surfaced around the time of a fractious White House national security meeting this month, led by Rubio, that focused on the laser system's use along the border with Mexico. The activity prompted Pentagon officials to consider relocating the two cabinet members.
Earlier, "Hvylya" reported that Iran-backed militias have already targeted U.S. bases with drones that proved resistant to electronic jamming.