Policing, Privacy and the Growing Market for UAVs

Earlier this year, Congress passed and President Obama signed a new law instructing the Federal Aviation Administration to rewrite regulations and develop a blueprint to expand the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in the skies above the United States. More recently, the FAA in May completed a revision of its regulations intended to ease and expedite the process for law enforcement certification for flying UAVs as part of a series of milestones under the new law. Ultimately, the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 calls on the FAA to fully integrate unmanned systems, including for commercial use, into the national airspace by Sept. 2015. The law seeks to capitalize on the rapidly developing technology of unmanned systems following the value they demonstrated to the U.S. military in the fight against terrorism and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Department of Homeland Security has used UAVs to patrol borders to curtail illegal immigration. Police officers and firefighters have seen the benefit of UAVs to carry out their respective duties. The legislation could also expand the use of UAVs in numerous other areas ranging from agriculture to infrastructure monitoring and possibly even aviation cargo, and could be a boost to UAV and defense industries at a time of declining budgets at the Pentagon. The plan, however, does have its critics. In addition to cameras, UAVs can carry highly sophisticated infrared and imaging technology and wireless network detectors some say could infringe on privacy. Others have expressed public safety concerns and skepticism over whether the technology is sufficiently advanced to avoid mid-air collisions. Defense Daily will host a webinar July 10, 2012 featuring a panel of professionals and experts from the UAV industry, law enforcement, government and advocacy groups. Defense Daily invites you to join the timely discussion that’s an opportunity to shape the debate about the new law and the viability of the widespread use of UAVs in American airspace. Get more information, including speakers!