Unmanned Aerial Systems
AIRFRAME & EQUIPMENT RECOVERY
NUISANCE/THREAT ASSESSMENT
REMEDIATION
TECHNOLOGY & DEFENSE TRAINING
EQUIPMENT LEASE & SALES
Law Enforcement UAS Concerns
ND's Beyond Visual Line of Sight
The North Dakota Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) UAS (unmanned aerial system) corridor is a 1,400-mile airspace that was established in 2019 to test and develop the use of drones for commercial and industrial purposes. It spans across North Dakota and parts of Minnesota, enabling companies to test and demonstrate the capabilities of their drones in a controlled environment.
The corridor was created through a partnership between the North Dakota Department of Transportation, the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and it is the first of its kind in the United States. The corridor is designed to provide a safe and secure space for testing new drone technologies, including beyond line of sight operations.
One of the key features of the corridor is its ground-based detect-and-avoid (GBDAA) system, which enables drones to detect and avoid other aircraft and obstacles in their path. The GBDAA system uses radar, cameras, and other sensors to monitor the airspace around the drones and provide real-time data to operators, allowing them to make informed decisions about the flight path and course of their drones.
The North Dakota BVLOS UAS corridor has already attracted a number of companies and organizations interested in testing their drone technologies, including Amazon, NASA, and General Atomics. These companies are using the corridor to test a range of applications, from package delivery and agriculture monitoring to emergency response and infrastructure inspections.
Law Enforcement UAS Concerns
Law Enforcement UAS Concerns
The establishment of the Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) UAS corridor in North Dakota could present several challenges to local, state, and national law enforcement agencies, including border patrol and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Some of these challenges include:
- Security concerns: With the increased use of drones in the BVLOS corridor, there is a potential for security threats such as drone-related terrorism, espionage, and smuggling. Law enforcement agencies will need to monitor the airspace in and around the corridor to ensure that it is not being used for illegal activities.
- Privacy concerns: The use of drones in the BVLOS corridor may raise concerns about privacy violations, as drones can capture images and data from private property without permission. Law enforcement agencies will need to work with local communities to establish guidelines and regulations for the use of drones to protect privacy rights.
- Collision avoidance: With the use of drones in the BVLOS corridor, there is a risk of mid-air collisions between drones and other aircraft. Law enforcement agencies will need to work with the FAA and other aviation authorities to develop effective collision avoidance systems and protocols to ensure the safety of all aircraft.
- Jurisdictional issues: The BVLOS corridor spans across multiple states and jurisdictions, which could lead to conflicts in law enforcement authority and coordination. Law enforcement agencies will need to establish clear lines of communication and coordination to address any potential issues.
- Regulatory compliance: The use of drones in the BVLOS corridor will need to comply with FAA regulations, including obtaining proper licenses and authorizations. Law enforcement agencies will need to ensure that all drones in the corridor are in compliance with these regulations.
In summary, while the BVLOS corridor presents a great opportunity for the advancement of drone technologies, it also poses significant challenges for law enforcement agencies. These agencies will need to work collaboratively to address these challenges and ensure the safe and responsible use of drones in the airspace.
Threat to Public Safety
Threat to Public Safety
Law enforcement agencies play a critical role in ensuring public safety, and the increasing prevalence of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, has created new challenges for these agencies. Drones can pose a threat to public safety in a number of ways, including interfering with commercial aviation, invading privacy, and being used to conduct illegal activities. In this report, we will discuss the steps law enforcement agencies can take to assess a drone threat to public safety.
- Identify the type of drone: The first step in assessing a drone threat is to determine the type of drone involved. This information can help law enforcement to determine the capabilities and limitations of the drone, as well as its potential use.
- Determine the operator: In many cases, the operator of a drone can provide valuable information about its intended purpose and the potential threat it poses. Law enforcement agencies can use a variety of tools, such as registration databases, to determine the identity of the drone operator.
- Assess the flight behavior: The behavior of the drone, such as its altitude, speed, and direction of flight, can provide valuable information about the potential threat it poses. Law enforcement agencies can use this information to determine if the drone is operating in a safe and responsible manner or if it is posing a risk to public safety.
- Evaluate the payload: The payload of a drone, such as cameras or other equipment, can provide valuable information about its intended purpose and potential threat. Law enforcement agencies should assess the payload to determine if it is being used for illegal activities or if it is posing a threat to public safety.
- Use technology: Law enforcement agencies can use a variety of technologies, such as radio frequency jamming devices, to assess and mitigate the threat posed by a drone. These technologies can be used to disrupt the communication between the drone and its operator, causing the drone to land or return to its operator.
In conclusion, law enforcement agencies have a critical role to play in assessing and mitigating the threat posed by drones to public safety. By using a combination of intelligence gathering, technology, and assessment tools, law enforcement agencies can effectively respond to and manage drone threats. It is important for law enforcement agencies to stay up-to-date on the latest technologies and best practices for assessing drone threats to ensure that they are prepared to respond to this rapidly evolving threat.
Remediation
Remediation Techniques
UAS/Drones pose new challenges for law enforcement agencies. Drones can be used to conduct illegal activities, interfere with commercial aviation, invade privacy, or pose a threat to public safety. In this report, we will discuss the current techniques used by law enforcement agencies to remediate UAS incidents.
- Radio Frequency Jamming: Radio frequency jamming is a technique used by law enforcement to disrupt the communication between the drone and its operator. This can cause the drone to land or return to its operator, effectively remedying the threat posed by the drone.
- Net Guns: Net guns are devices that can be used to physically capture a drone by shooting a net around it. This can be an effective way to remove a drone from the sky, but it is important to consider the potential consequences of such an action, as the drone could fall and cause damage or injury.
- Drone Detection Systems: Drone detection systems are designed to detect and track drones in a given area. This information can be used by law enforcement to assess the threat posed by the drone and determine the appropriate response.
- Physical Interception: In some cases, law enforcement may use physical interception, such as a helicopter or a trained officer, to physically remove a drone from the sky. This is typically a last resort, as it is resource-intensive and carries a high risk of injury or damage.
- Cooperation with FAA and DHS: Law enforcement agencies often work with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to remediate UAS incidents. The FAA and DHS provide technical expertise, resources, and regulatory guidance to help law enforcement agencies effectively remediate UAS incidents.
Law enforcement agencies have a variety of techniques at their disposal to remediate UAS incidents. These techniques range from radio frequency jamming to physical interception and cooperation with other agencies. The choice of technique will depend on the specific circumstances of each incident and the resources available to the law enforcement agency. It is important for law enforcement agencies to stay up-to-date on the latest technologies and best practices for remediation to ensure that they are prepared to respond to this rapidly evolving challenge.