The military drone command control center to be built at the Horsham Air Station could be a real shot in the arm to the former Willow Grove Naval Air facility, but experts say the new high tech ground control facility may come with some security concerns.
"If you can draw the line back from force projection aboard to that facility," terrorism expert Ed Turzanski of the Foreign Policy Institute told FOX 29. "I could see where some people would be concerned."
While Turzanski, a counter terrorism expert, says controlling military drones in action half a world away makes sense here, neighbors do have some worries about security.
"Could be a target if they're doing that," said Angel Marrone, whose son owns a business nearby. "Like terrorists, I would worry about them coming over something like that."
"I would imagine the security protocols are going to be quite tight," Turzanski said. "Some of the kinds of more elaborate or dangerous uses of drones may not be necessarily tied to that facility. That tends to be in hardened military facilities, far away from civilian population centers."
The Air Force and the Pennsylvania National Guard's 111th Fighter Wing both say the new mission here will focus on remotely controlled aircraft, such as the MQ-9 Reaper drone. A demonstration video shows pilots housed in a virtual cockpit operating drones thousands of miles away. A two person team will help control drones around the world. No drones will fly out of this base.
"That will be great for the economy in this area," said Mark Howard who works near the base.
The drone program will create 250 new jobs, 75 of them full-time positions. It will boost the local economy, which has suffered since Willow Grove's closure in 2011.
Turzanski says progress is worth the price.
"I would say that if someone is looking to buy and they get a good price on a house, they should still buy. I think they'll be safe," he explained. "This is an investment in the region and it's only going to grow. So it's a good thing.
The drone command center is expected to be in place in October.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:47 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:47:02 GMT
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:17 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:17:37 GMT
Lots of traffic and police activity, police cameras are everywhere. But that didn't stopped this armed robber from calmly walking into a Dunkin Donuts on camera Monday afternoon and sticking the place up.
Lots of traffic and police activity, police cameras are everywhere. But that didn't stopped this armed robber from calmly walking into a Dunkin Donuts on camera Monday afternoon and sticking the place up.
Monday, June 17 2013 5:18 PM EDT2013-06-17 21:18:27 GMT
"Very creepy" is the way neighbors are describing the most recent incidents involving a suspected prowler in Lumberton who has struck three times in the last couple of months.
"Very creepy" is the way neighbors are describing the most recent incidents involving a suspected prowler in Lumberton who has struck three times in the last couple of months.
Friday, June 14 2013 5:02 PM EDT2013-06-14 21:02:59 GMT
Just hours after L&I building inspector Ronald Wagenhoffer ended his own life Wednesday night, sources say police found a videotape on which Wagenhoffer says "it wasn't my fault."
Just hours after L&I building inspector Ronald Wagenhoffer ended his own life Wednesday night, sources say police found a videotape on which Wagenhoffer says "it wasn't my fault."
Thursday, June 13 2013 5:36 PM EDT2013-06-13 21:36:19 GMT
"We have now lost seven lives in connection with this tragedy." With those words, city officials confirmed the overnight suicide of License and Inspections Inspector Ronald Wagenhoffer.
"We have now lost seven lives in connection with this tragedy."With those words, city officials confirmed the overnight suicide of License and Inspections Inspector Ronald Wagenhoffer.
Thursday, June 20 2013 8:22 AM EDT2013-06-20 12:22:09 GMT
In the next few days, the Supreme Court is expected to rule on the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act. This law would prevent the federal government from giving same-sex couples the same
In the next few days, the Supreme Court is expected to rule on the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act. This law would prevent the federal government from giving same-sex couples the same
Thursday, June 20 2013 5:46 AM EDT2013-06-20 09:46:20 GMT
Another spectacular weather day with mostly sunny skies and low humidity. Temperatures top off in the lower 80s. About ten degrees cooler at the shore, with a sea breeze.
The stickies will come back just in time for summer.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:14 PM EDT2013-06-20 02:14:32 GMT
At approximately 2:45pm Wednesday afternoon, a bank robbery occurred at the National Penn Bank on E. High Street in Pottstown, PA. Police have captured three of the fours suspects so far.
At approximately 2:45pm Wednesday afternoon, a bank robbery occurred at the National Penn Bank on E. High Street in Pottstown, PA. Police have captured three of the fours suspects so far.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:19 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:19:58 GMT
Breaking news in North Philadelphia on the 2300 block of North Tenth Street, where three people, including a pregnant woman, were shot. This happened just before four this afternoon.
Breaking news in North Philadelphia on the 2300 block of North Tenth Street, where three people, including a pregnant woman, were shot. This happened just before four this afternoon.
A new drone command center is expected to be in place at the Horsham Air Station by October.
