The US Space Force is planning to improve security at Cape Canaveral by installing anti-drone lasers as part of its defense system, according to recent reports. Colonel Brian Chatman, who leads the Space Launch Delta 45, confirmed this in an interview with Florida Today. The lasers will be used to disable drones that enter the restricted area, regardless of whether they are operated by individuals or with malicious intent. Details about the specific type of laser and the timeline for deployment have not been revealed, as noted by The War Zone. Cape Canaveral already has traditional military defenses and radio jammers that disrupt the signal between drones and their operators. However, these jammers can cause interference with the base's operations and potentially harm spacecraft. "If you emit a lot of radio energy, you risk problems. That’s not what you want," Chatman said in an interview with Florida Today. To avoid these risks, the Space Force is adding directed energy systems, such as lasers, to work alongside the jammers. The installation of these systems started last winter. The increased need for security at Cape Canaveral comes from its critical role in space exploration. The base is home to launches by companies like SpaceX, United Launch Alliance, and Blue Origin, covering both military and civilian missions such as the Starlink satellite network. The number of launches has grown significantly, with the Eastern Range — which includes Cape Canaveral and the nearby Kennedy Space Center — recording 109 orbital launches in 2025, compared to just 11 in 2009. Chatman estimates that the number could reach 300 to 400 launches per year within five years. Cape Canaveral’s large size — approximately 65 square kilometers — combined with its sparse population and long Atlantic coastline, makes it a potential target for drone intrusions. In September, a Chinese tourist was found guilty in a federal court in Orlando for violating national defense airspace, a crime that carries a one-year prison sentence and a $100,000 fine. On July 25, the individual had flown a drone over NASA's Kennedy Space Center, capturing footage of the facilities. The drone came within about 2.5 kilometers of Launch Pad 39B, the site from which the next manned mission to the Moon is scheduled to depart in 2028. The Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana, also faces similar security concerns. The site is protected by the French military, which uses a range of tools including soldiers from the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment, helicopters, maritime patrol boats, Mistral systems for short-range surface-to-air missiles, and anti-drone jamming devices. These measures are part of Operation Titan, which can be temporarily strengthened during important launches. For strategic military missions, Operation Bubo is activated, bringing in a detachment of Rafale fighter jets, supported by a refueling aircraft and a radar aircraft.