UAVs In The NAS

The Congressional Research Service recently issued a report on using unmanned aerial vehicles in the National Airspace System.

The Sept. 10 report -- originally obtained by Secrecy News -- states:

Growing interest in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), particularly for homeland security and law enforcement applications, has spurred considerable debate over how to accommodate these unmanned aircraft and keep them safely separated from other air traffic. Additionally, the use of these pilotless aircraft, popularly referred to as drones, for aerial surveillance and law enforcement purposes has raised specific concerns regarding privacy and Fourth Amendment rights and potential intrusiveness. These issues have come to the forefront in policy debate in response to provisions in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-95) that require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to begin integrating unmanned aircraft into the national airspace system by the end of FY2015.

While drones have been used extensively by the military and small radio-controlled model aircraft have been around for more than 50 years, advances in more complex vehicle controls and imaging sensor capabilities are spurring public sector and commercial interest in unmanned aircraft for a variety of purposes, including law enforcement, homeland security, aerial imaging, and scientific research. FAA currently approves public entities (such as federal agencies, public universities, and local police departments) to operate UAVs on a case-by-case basis, but growing interest is making this approach increasingly untenable. Moreover, commercial users are seeking authorization to fly drones, but so far FAA has only allowed test and demonstration flights by manufacturers. FAA faces a number of challenges to address anticipated growth in demand for civilian UAV operations and develop regulations governing the certification and operation of unmanned aircraft systems in domestic airspace.

View the report.

And check out InsideDefense.com's recent coverage of the UAVs-in-the-NAS issue:

Navy Awaits FAA Approval To Fly Drones Without Visual Observers
Inside the Pentagon - 08/23/2012

Successful Demo Could Enable More Drone Flights In U.S. Airspace
Inside the Pentagon - 06/28/2012

Forbes: Process Used To Fly Drones In U.S. Airspace Too Burdensome
Inside the Pentagon - 06/21/2012

Kendall: Air Force Needs Greater Airspace Access For Unmanned Aircraft
Inside the Pentagon - 06/14/2012

DOD To Demo New Airborne Sense-And-Avoid Requirements For Drones
Inside the Pentagon - 06/14/2012

Senate Panel Wants Annual Reports On UAS Airspace Integration Efforts
Inside the Pentagon - 06/07/2012

Report Details Integration Of UAS Into the National Airspace System
Inside the Air Force - 06/01/2012