On July 14, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held a hearing on the topic of “Protecting the Homeland from Unmanned Aircraft Systems,” according to the Department of Justice.
During this hearing, witnesses examined the U.S. security threat imposed by drone technology and potential governmental solutions. U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), chairman of Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, gave the opening statement. Other witnesses included Samantha Vinograd, senior counselor for national security in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Brad Wiegmann, deputy assistant attorney general for the National Security Division in the Department of Justice (DOJ), and Tonya Coultas, deputy associate administrator for security and hazardous materials safety for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
“The increase in the number of UAS (unmanned aircraft systems) operating in our airspace creates a higher risk of rogue drones either failing to obey safety rules or operating with nefarious intentions, threatening manned aircraft operations, airports, critical infrastructure facilities and high-profile, widely attended events such as sporting events, concerts and more,” Peters said in his testimony. “While most individuals operate their drones responsibly, we have already seen careless and malicious actors misuse these technologies to engage in reckless or criminal activities.”
In her congressional testimony, Vinograd requested congressional action to renew the Preventing Emerging Threats Act of 2018. Under this act, the DHS and the DOJ are currently authorized to counter drone threats using Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS). This authorization expires on Oct. 5. Proposed congressional legislation would reauthorize and expand the DHS and DOJ jurisdiction surrounding C-UAS capabilities.
“A lapse in our authority would result in perilous and unacceptably high national security and public safety risks,” Vinograd said in her testimony. “Sustaining and enhancing C-UAS authority is the foundation of the security architecture necessary to continue the integration of drones into the national airspace and for commercial purposes, which will yield substantial benefits to our economy and way of life.”
In his congressional testimony, Wiegmann discussed the Preventing Emerging Threats Act. He highlighted many of the key dangers of domestic UAS action.
“The UAS threat can take several forms, including platforms designed or modified to conduct kinetic attacks using payloads of firearms, explosives or possibly even weaponized chemical, biological or nuclear material; cyber attacks against wireless devices or networks; espionage; and the illicit trafficking of narcotics and contraband," Wiegmann said in his testimony. "Beyond use by actors with nefarious intent, UAS are also often employed by operators without knowledge or regard for regulatory boundaries, who create hazards for federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments, commercial activities and the public.”
In her congressional testimony, Coultas discussed the importance of C-UAS systems as the number of drones used across America expands. She discussed the importance of regulating airspace — especially restricted airspace — and supported the expansion of the Preventing Emerging Threats Act.
Ultimately, Coultas noted that “by renewing the vital authorities of our federal security partners and taking incremental, deliberate steps to evaluate the safest means to support SLTT law enforcement agencies and security personnel in their protective duties at airports and critical infrastructure to address emerging UAS-based threats, the United States will continue to lead the way in the full integration of UAS while offering the safest, most efficient — and most secure — aerospace system in the world.”
