no-fly zone Archives - Unmanned Systems Source

Pentagon provides guidelines to create the ultimate no drone fly zone

Call it the ultimate No Drone Fly Zone. On Aug. 4 the Department of Defense (DoD) released classified guidelines for military personnel. The guidelines focused on available actions in the event of unauthorized drone intrusion over or around a military installation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), along with other inter-agency partners, helped develop the guidelines. It follows classified guidance that was previously provided to the services and installations in early July. “Protecting our force remains a top priority and that’s why DoD issued the specific, but classified policy that details how DoD personnel may counter the unmanned aircraft threat,” said United States, Navy Capt. Jeff Davis.

A growing concern?

According to a Pentagon spokesman, the guidance is to help address growing concerns around safety and security of military installations, aviation and people. And, certainly, drone use continues to explode across both recreational and commercial sectors. The FAA predicts the number of hobbyists will increase to 355 million by 2021. Commercial drone users are expected to increase to 442,000 during that same time period. Of course, all drone operators must adhere to FAA regulations and guidelines. Any flight operated beyond these regulations is considered unauthorized activity. In April, the Pentagon and FCC announced a new rule which prohibited any drone flights within 400 feet of 133 domestic installations. Pilots caught violating the restriction were subject to arrest. However, that announcement did not mention any direct action the military could take to destroy or intercept the drones.

Tracking, disabling, destroying

If an unauthorized drone flight intrudes into military airspace, DoD personnel now have guidelines in place to respond to the threat. Authorized actions include: tracking, disabling and destroying drones. Of course, the authorized action depends on the circumstance and the type of installation where the drone activity is detected. “We support civilian law enforcement investigations in the prosecution of unauthorized UAS operations over military installations,” Davis said. “And though we do not discuss specific force-protection measures, we of course retain the right of self-defense. When it comes to UAS or drones operating over military installations, this new guidance does afford us the ability to take action to stop those threats.” Drone operators can find additional flight regulation information at the Know Before You Fly website. Before these guidelines, the military could take action to intercept a wayward drone. Those options included use of traditional ammunition to destroy the craft all the way to commandeering them via radio waves. In addition, intercepted crafts were subject to seizure “as part of investigations,” said Davis. So, wayward flyers beware, intruding over or around any of these 133 installations could result in the loss of your craft.

No Drone Orca Zone

New legislation in Washington State aims to protect some special residents

Legislation introduced in the state of Washington aims to limit drone interference for some very special residents…an endangered population of Orcas. These Orcas, also known as the southern resident killer whales, are the smallest of four resident communities within the area. It is the only killer whale population listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. In addition, they are protected under the Endangered Species Act. The proposed bill requires drone operators to maintain a 200-yard buffer, in all directions, from any southern resident killer whales. This buffer already applies to boats, vessels and other objects that might encroach on the animals. However, the existing law was unclear as to whether or not the line other objects applied to drones and other sUAS.

Legislators aim to eliminate confusion

In 2015, a drone operator in San Juan County was fined $1,025 for flying too close to the southern resident killer whales. Consequently, the drone operator's attorney argued that the word “object” was not specific enough to cover drones. The attorney's arguments succeeded and the fine was dismissed. After the dismissal, San Juan County Prosecutor, Randall Gaylord, recommended changing the existing law to include specific language about drones. The change would help bring clarity for all involved – prosecutors, law enforcement officials and drone operators. However, clarity is simply a by-product of the legislation.

No Drone Orca Zone original intent

According to State Rep. Kris Lytton, D- Anacortes, her primary motivation for introducing the bill was to address growing concerns from area residents. The southern resident killer whales are a popular attraction. Each year, thousands travel to the area in the hopes of catching a glimpse...including drone operators. As a result, the number of people launching drones from boats to view the whales has increased. Which, in turn, has raised concern from residents. “I think it is reasonable that drones should have the same parameters as whale-watching vessels or private vessels,” said Lytton. Though drones seem a less invasive option to monitor and photograph orcas, it is still not clear how this technology impacts the whales. Until that impact is clear, the no drone orca zone aims to hold drone operators to the same standards as other vessels operating near and around these killer whales.

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