Savannah River Site officials still don’t know who is behind the flying drones that have been spotted above the 310-square-mile facility near Aiken, S.C. There have been eight confirmed sightings of drones flying over the Department of Energy facility, with the most recent reported on Tuesday. “We continue to partner with federal, state, and local authorities to find out who is responsible,” SRS spokesman Monte Volk wrote in an email.
In a note sent to employees last week, officials reported that “small, unmanned aerial systems (UAS)” were spotted flying over various areas, including the K Area Complex, where excess plutonium is stored, and the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility (MFFF), which is being constructed to convert 34 metric tons of weapon-usable plutonium into commercial nuclear fuel. Drones have also been spotted flying over H Area, where nuclear materials are processed, and E Area, where low-level waste and transuranic waste is stored.
Centerra, the SRS security contractor, is following protocol by initiating a security alert whenever a drone sighting occurs. “All employees are encouraged to be observant for the UAS and report the type, size, color, markings, current location, direction of travel, etc.” SRS told employees. “Every attempt will be made to locate the operator of the UAS for follow-up questioning.”
