Drone Incident at U.S. Base Leads to Arrest

A Chinese national faces serious charges after allegedly flying a drone over a sensitive U.S. military installation, raising concerns about potential espionage.

At a Glance

Yinpiao Zhou was arrested for an unauthorized drone operation over Vandenberg Space Force Base.
The incident allegedly occurred on Nov. 30, coinciding with a SpaceX national reconnaissance payload launch.
Zhou was charged with violating national defense airspace and failing to register a drone.
The drone allegedly captured aerial photographs of the base during a 59-minute flight.
If convicted, Zhou faces up to four years in prison and fines totaling nearly $400,000.

Chinese National Arrested in Drone Incident at Vandenberg Space Force Base

Federal authorities have arrested Yinpiao Zhou, a Chinese national, for allegedly operating a drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base in California without authorization. The alleged incident occurred on November 30.

Zhou was apprehended at San Francisco International Airport as he attempted to board a flight to China. He now faces charges of violating national defense airspace and failing to register his drone, as required by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.

Drone Flight Details and Evidence

According to federal officials, Zhou allegedly flew a DJI Mavic 2 drone for 59 minutes over the space force base, capturing aerial photographs of the facility. The timing of the incident is particularly concerning, as it coincided with a SpaceX launch of a sensitive national reconnaissance payload from the base.

Investigators discovered that Zhou’s phone contained searches for “Vandenberg Space Force Base Drone Rules,” indicating a deliberate attempt to gather information about the facility. More alarmingly, Zhou allegedly used software to bypass national security altitude restrictions, allowing the drone to fly nearly a mile high for almost an hour before being traced back to Ocean Park.

A Chinese citizen has been charged with flying a drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base in California where he is alleged to have recorded images of the military facility. Yinpiao Zhou, 39, was arrested as he readied to board a flight to China from San Francisco. pic.twitter.com/cZVkSfV429

— Nepal Correspondence (@NepCorres) December 12, 2024

Espionage Concerns and Broader Implications

The arrest of Zhou occurs amid heightened concerns in Washington about Chinese espionage targeting sensitive sites. There have been other reports of mysterious drones over U.S. military facilities, prompting calls for federal action.

Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. of New Jersey has voiced frustration over the growing concerns regarding drones operating in U.S. airspace. The incident has sparked discussions about the adequacy of current drone regulations and the need for increased surveillance and counter-drone technologies at military bases.

Legal Proceedings and Potential Consequences

Zhou’s first court appearance was scheduled for Tuesday. If convicted, he faces severe penalties, including up to four years in prison and fines totaling nearly $400,000. The case highlights the serious nature of unauthorized drone activities near sensitive military installations and the potential consequences for those involved.

As federal authorities continue to investigate the incident, the arrest of Zhou serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in protecting critical infrastructure from potential threats. The case also underscores the need for heightened vigilance and improved security measures to safeguard sensitive military sites in an era of advancing drone technology.