When used illicitly, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) pose an emerging threat to U.S. security. The U.S. government must mitigate the risks posed by illicit UAS use, while seizing opportunities to enable secure commercial and public sector UAS operations.
Countering Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Securing the Homeland Against Evolving Threats
What’s the issue? Advances in capability, ease of use, and affordability have enabled recreational and commercial use of UAS for various domestic industries, including drone delivery services, aerial photography, and agriculture. Unfortunately, the same UAS technology that benefits commercial industries also makes them an attractive tool for carrying out non-attributional, nefarious activities. Consequently, the United States needs effective countermeasures to mitigate the threats posed by the illicit use of UAS.
What did we do? MITRE’s experts analyzed existing UAS threat-response mechanisms, countermeasures, and policies and authorities to identify barriers to conducting effective counter-UAS (C-UAS) protection and leveraged subject-matter expertise to develop recommendations that address the challenges and opportunities identified.
What did we find? Confronting UAS threats and effectively safeguarding the Homeland requires presidential support for legislative expansion of C-UAS authorities and a holistic approach to airspace awareness and protection that preserves Americans’ rights to open access and free use of the airspace. Ensuring the C-UAS mission success of safety and security partners will require addressing legal, regulatory, technological, and resource challenges, while also seizing relevant opportunities within the C-UAS landscape.