US Secret Service already has a drone station near the White House — Asharq Al-Awsat
In Washington, United States, a US Secret Service drone station is already operating near the White House complex, while President Donald Trump plans to set up a separate drone port on the roof of the new ballroom. As Asharq Al-Awsat reports, citing the Associated Press, four gray weatherproof boxes containing unmanned aircraft are installed on the US Treasury Department building adjacent to the White House complex.
The small unarmed drones are equipped with cameras and sensors and can be launched at the command of personnel to inspect the area from the air. The Secret Service uses a “drone as first responder” model, under which the aircraft function as flying cameras.
Trump’s plans remain unclear
Trump said that the ballroom project was expanded at the request of the US military, which needs additional capabilities for using drones. On social media, he wrote that this drone port could become “the most advanced” in the world.
At the same time, the White House has not disclosed which unmanned aircraft are planned for use at the new facility or for what tactical tasks. Artificial intelligence-generated images show large strike drones with missiles and armed military personnel. Experts in unmanned systems called such a concept unrealistic.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Matt Sloane, co-founder of SkyfireAI, noted that a drone approaching the White House closely enough to require interception has already come too close. In his view, a format similar to the Secret Service system would be more practical: a drone takes off, checks the perimeter, and returns to its box.
Development of aerial surveillance systems
The US Secret Service has been developing drone-use and counter-drone programs for several years. The work accelerated after the assassination attempt on Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in 2024. According to the source, the shooter used a drone for reconnaissance at the time, while the service took no action regarding that drone and did not launch its own aircraft for aerial surveillance of the event.
After that, tethered and untethered reconnaissance drones became commonplace at campaign rallies and major events at the White House complex. The Secret Service stated that Skydio drones provide real-time situational awareness and aerial surveillance.
Experts also point to the difficulty of operating an active drone hub over the White House because of Washington’s busy airspace. Ronald Reagan National Airport is nearby, and routes used by other military aircraft pass through the area.
