The Elara Edge: Expert Insights on Space Security

Recent years have demonstrated the growing prevalence of drones in surveillance and military operations. In 2024, unidentified drones flew over a military base in Langley, Virgina. In 2025, Israel used drones to take out Iranian air defense systems in a coordinated attack, while Ukraine launched “Operation Spiderweb,” using drones to damage and destroy aircraft deep within Russian territory. But a new Department of Defense Inspector General report uncovered a series of challenges for defending the United States’ military installations from similar drone incursions or attacks. These potential vulnerabilities have prompted the Joint Interagency Task Force 401, an Army-led organization tasked with the counter-Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) mission, to release updated policy guidance that requires military installation commanders to prepare their own counter-UAS defense plans within the next 60 days. In this month’s episode of "The Elara Edge," Lt Gen (Ret) David “Abu” Nahom and Dr. JP “Spear” Mintz break down the series of escalating events that demonstrate not only how unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are changing the nature of military operations, but also creating an imperative to find new and innovative solutions to address the emerging counter-UAS mission.  Gen Nahom is the President of Elara Nova’s Aeronautics & Mission Systems (AMS) sector after serving for 36 years in the United States Air Force, culminating in his roles as Commander of Alaskan Command, the Alaskan NORAD region and the Eleventh Air Force. Dr. Mintz is a recently retired Colonel with the Air Force, where he commanded in the Air Force's Spectrum Warfare Wing and served as a Special Advisor to senior leaders at NORAD, U.S. Northern Command, and others."The Elara Edge" is hosted by Scott King and produced by Regia Multimedia Services. The full story can be found on Elara Nova's Insights page here. Music was produced by Patrick Watkins of PW Audio.