The US government shutdown means that the country loses critical counter-drone authorities that were granted to the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice in 2018 to address the risk that unmanned aerial systems (UAS) can pose to airports and other critical infrastructure.
Frank Cilluffo and Kyle D. Klein of the McCrary Institute are concerned that the loss of these protections will make it easier for adversaries and criminals to exploit US airspace.
“Absent congressional action, the federal government’s ability to mitigate drone threats will be called into legal question, as key authorities lapse. Should this occur, it will put our nation’s critical infrastructure and American lives at risk by creating an unnecessary gap in the fabric of our nation’s security,” they wrote as the shutdown loomed.
“Counter-unmanned aircraft system authorities were granted to the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice in 2018 to address proliferating use of commercial and hobby drones and the risk they pose to critical infrastructure, particularly airports.
“In the years since, Congress has wisely extended these authorities, as drone use has exploded. Today there are over one million drones registered with the Federal Aviation Administration in the U.S. By 2028, that figure is expected to triple. At the same time, the technology and protocols for detecting, interdicting and mitigating UAS has continued to evolve.”
In a podcast for the McCrary Institute’s Threat Beat, Cilluffo spoke with former Department of Homeland Security official, Matt Hayden to unpack what the expiration of the counter-drone legislation means and the growing dangers posed by UAS. Hayden explains why current authorities are essential for protecting the homeland and how they fall short when it comes to local law enforcement, airports and evolving drone technology.
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