This is an article from New Scientist magazine. I havn't noticed any discussion here but it sounds like "terrorists, insurgents and drug cartels" are making things difficult for us! This is the public perception of drones, unfortunately.
The US has a new plan to help tacklecriminals using drones
Current legislation prevents local law enforcement in the US from shooting down or
interfering with criminal drones
The US is hoping to combat the growing criminal use of drones with new rules that will allow local law
enforcement agencies and other organisations to have counter-drone systems.
At present, legal restrictions in the US hamper efforts to tackle such activity. The Federal Aviation
Administration bans anyone from interfering with an aircraft in flight, including drones, while the Federal
Communications Commission forbids jamming radio signals, a common anti-drone technique. Only a few
federal agencies are permitted to shoot down drones in extreme circumstances, such as threats to critical
infrastructure.
US police agencies have been clamouring for counter-drone systems in the face of increasing criminal and
careless use of drones. Drones are routinely used to smuggle drugs over the Mexican border and into
prisons, and have interrupted airport operations on numerous occasions. Swarms of drones have intruded
over US nuclear power plants and sites believed to house nuclear weapons.
On 25 April, the White House announced its Domestic Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems National
Action Plan, which will expand the authority of various agencies including the Department of Homeland
Security, and will set up a pilot counter-drone programme for local law enforcement agencies. It will also
allow critical infrastructure operators to purchase counter-drone systems.
Read more: Drones armed with a small microwave weapon can shoot down other drones
These systems will probably include rifle-like radio-frequency jammers which block communication
between a drone and its operator. These have a longer range and are safer than using guns to down a
drone in populated areas. However, the new US legislation may not provide enough power quickly enough
to deal with a rapidly growing threat. Terrorists, insurgents and drug cartels have been making increased
use of commercial drones armed with improvised explosives since 2015.
The change will bring the US into line with the UK and European Union, where police forces and prison authorities already have the legal power to tackle criminal drones, though generally lack suitable equipment. An EU project to develop the capability to detect and combat undesirable drones should conclude in 2023, but it will take some time for member states to acquire and deploy the recommended sensing and jamming hardware.
“The creation of a nationwide strategy [in the US] is a good development and the plans offer some positive changes, especially around airport protection,” says Zak Kallenborn at the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism in Maryland. But he fears that the limited pilot scheme will mean that many local law enforcement agencies will still struggle to tackle criminal drones.
More on these topics:
The US has a new plan to help tacklecriminals using drones
Current legislation prevents local law enforcement in the US from shooting down or
interfering with criminal drones
The US is hoping to combat the growing criminal use of drones with new rules that will allow local law
enforcement agencies and other organisations to have counter-drone systems.
At present, legal restrictions in the US hamper efforts to tackle such activity. The Federal Aviation
Administration bans anyone from interfering with an aircraft in flight, including drones, while the Federal
Communications Commission forbids jamming radio signals, a common anti-drone technique. Only a few
federal agencies are permitted to shoot down drones in extreme circumstances, such as threats to critical
infrastructure.
US police agencies have been clamouring for counter-drone systems in the face of increasing criminal and
careless use of drones. Drones are routinely used to smuggle drugs over the Mexican border and into
prisons, and have interrupted airport operations on numerous occasions. Swarms of drones have intruded
over US nuclear power plants and sites believed to house nuclear weapons.
On 25 April, the White House announced its Domestic Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems National
Action Plan, which will expand the authority of various agencies including the Department of Homeland
Security, and will set up a pilot counter-drone programme for local law enforcement agencies. It will also
allow critical infrastructure operators to purchase counter-drone systems.
Read more: Drones armed with a small microwave weapon can shoot down other drones
These systems will probably include rifle-like radio-frequency jammers which block communication
between a drone and its operator. These have a longer range and are safer than using guns to down a
drone in populated areas. However, the new US legislation may not provide enough power quickly enough
to deal with a rapidly growing threat. Terrorists, insurgents and drug cartels have been making increased
use of commercial drones armed with improvised explosives since 2015.
The change will bring the US into line with the UK and European Union, where police forces and prison authorities already have the legal power to tackle criminal drones, though generally lack suitable equipment. An EU project to develop the capability to detect and combat undesirable drones should conclude in 2023, but it will take some time for member states to acquire and deploy the recommended sensing and jamming hardware.
“The creation of a nationwide strategy [in the US] is a good development and the plans offer some positive changes, especially around airport protection,” says Zak Kallenborn at the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism in Maryland. But he fears that the limited pilot scheme will mean that many local law enforcement agencies will still struggle to tackle criminal drones.
More on these topics:
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