Politico: 'Drone Dome' Might Be Next Step in WH Security

After a two-foot-long drone flown by a hobbyist crashed on the White House grounds Monday, there are fresh questions about White House security and discussions about new measures that may be taken to protect it with the advent of increasing drone use.

According to Politico, protecting the White House from aerial attacks has always been a unique security challenge, particularly given the proximity of one of the busiest airports in the nation. Numerous aerial fortifications were made by the Secret Service to boost White House air defenses over the years.

Specifically, an extensive national air raid network monitors any suspicious planes on their way to Washington, and the Army practices responding to an air raid on the White House once a week. Other emergency services are involved in regular drills and have detailed security and emergency response plans, Politico reports.

The Washington airspace already has three concentric levels of protection by the FAA, according to Politico, enforcing high-level requirements on planes to maintain contact with air traffic controllers. There are also other limitations on the specific types of commercial aircraft going into the area.

Nevertheless, the White House's air defense system has failed much of the time it's been tested, Politico reports, even though the situations were low risk.

"It's not Hollywood fantasy to expect a mini version of Israel’s Iron Dome air defense — call it a 'Drone Dome' — erected over the White House and other key public targets in the not-so-distant future," Politico says.

"Just in recent weeks, in fact, the Navy's brought online its first anti-drone laser," Politico reports.

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