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Unmanned Aircraft Pose US Airspace Problems

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the just-what-we-need-more-governmental-bodies dept.

coondoggie writes to tell us that congressional watchdogs have called on Congress to create a body within the FAA to oversee unmanned aircraft development and integration. The group cited the rapidly growing unmanned aircraft community and is worried about the possible repercussions. "The GAO also called on the FAA to work with the Department of Defense, which has extensive unmanned aircraft experience, to issue its program plan. In addition, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) assesses the security implications of routine unmanned aircraft access to commercial airspace, the GAO said. Even if all issues are addressed, and there are a number of critical problems, unmanned aircraft may not receive routine access to the national airspace system until 2020, the GAO concluded."

2 of 78 comments (clear)

  1. oh the irony... by owlnation · · Score: 4, Interesting

    So let's get this straight...

    We have a massive increase in the number of UAV flights. You know, because of the "terrorists". This is (allegedly) primarily to stop "terrorists" getting on board planes and turning them into giant fireballs that will fall on the population.

    Now, these same UAV's are in danger of hitting planes and turning them into giant fireballs that will fall on the population.

    I ask you, even if you believe in "terrorists", which is more dangerous: "terrorists", or your Government?

  2. Re:Security Implications? What Security Implicatio by bughunter · · Score: 4, Interesting
    I work for a small UAV manufacturer that supplies a lot of UAVs to the US military for squad-level reconaissance, and recent rulings have really become a burden on our R&D efforts.

    The biggest "security implication" perceived by the FAA is interference with air traffic. However, the FAA lumps all UAVs into one category, from the Predator on down to tiny biomimetic dragonflys. This makes it nearly impossible for us to test fly our new products, without hauling a truckload of gear up to the nearest military test range.

    And contrary to the belief of many, very few UAVs are armed. Only two US UAVs in operation carry payloads. The rest carry cameras.

    --
    I can see the fnords!