The AUVSI New England UAS and AAM Summit in Cambridge, MA, themed “If We Build It, Will They Come?” brought industry and government leaders together to discuss the future of UAS and Advanced Air Mobility. Among the featured sessions, the Department of Defense (DoD) keynote on policy and authority implications in countering domestic UAS threats took center stage. Delivered remotely by Blake Stone, Policy Analyst with the Joint Counter-sUAS Office (JCO), the session underscored the scale of threats posed by small UAS, the DoD’s role, and the collaborative efforts required to mitigate those risks. (Note: session content represented Mr. Stone’s personal opinions and understanding and cannot be assumed to represent the US Department of Defense.)
Understanding the Joint Counter-sUAS Office’s Role
Stone set the stage by explaining the JCO’s mandate as the execution arm for the Secretary of the Army’s responsibility for counter-small UAS initiatives, focusing on policy, authority, and interagency interoperability. “Our job is to bring agencies together to solve the problem collectively,” Stone stated, emphasizing that the UAS threat applies to federal, state, local, and even private sector stakeholders. With drones continuing to proliferate, creating shared solutions and advancing airspace awareness is essential for security nationwide.
The JCO is actively working to integrate interagency coordination and create interoperable counter-UAS (c-UAS) systems. Stone highlighted that UAS threats aren’t exclusive to the DoD or government entities—they affect all areas, including critical infrastructure managed by private companies as well as state, local, and tribal authorities (SLTT). “If the technology exists elsewhere, we have to assume it will end up here,” he cautioned, referencing the continued use of drones in global conflict zones like Ukraine as a harbinger for potential domestic risks.
Evolving Threats and Legal Challenges
Highlighting the complex and evolving nature of UAS threats, Stone pointed out the adaptability of threat actors worldwide. Drones used by cartels to smuggle contraband into U.S. prisons, for instance, are as technologically sophisticated as those deployed in military conflicts, he said. This adaptability, coupled with the low barrier to entry for malicious drone use, demands that domestic defenses evolve. However, Stone acknowledged, “We’re operating within a statutory and regulatory framework that wasn’t designed for today’s threats.”
Currently, only four federal agencies hold the authority to conduct active counter-UAS operations, due to restrictions such as the Wiretap Act and aircraft piracy provisions. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in coordination with the DoD, is exploring a potential pilot program to extend counter-UAS capabilities to a select number of state and local law enforcement agencies. This program would authorize these agencies to utilize pre-approved counter-UAS sensors and effectors, allowing for more robust defense measures at the state and local level.
Enhancing Real-Time Shared Air Domain Awareness
According to Stone, achieving shared air domain awareness among agencies is a critical goal for the DoD and the JCO. A national framework allowing agencies to access real-time, unclassified UAS data would help streamline responses to threats and coordinate defensive actions. The DoD aims to implement common sensor data fusion, enabling adjacent facilities to share air domain insights. Stone hinted that the National Capital Region might be among the first areas to benefit from this integrated approach, which would rely heavily on passive RF (radio frequency) detection to identify unauthorized drones.
The legal interpretation of passive RF data under Title 18’s Electronic Communications Protection Act is still under discussion, Stone added, as it could impact how federal and local agencies use certain counter-UAS technologies. Determining whether passive RF data can be intercepted legally will be critical to expanding UAS threat detection capabilities.
A Unified Front to Tackle Expanding UAS Threats
Stone concluded with an appeal for critical and collaborative thinking, echoing General Davis from NorthComm: “The solution to the UAS threat is bigger than any one agency can solve.” As drones grow in both numbers and capability, federal agencies, law enforcement, and critical infrastructure owners must work collectively, building a unified approach to protect against future threats.
The discussion highlighted the DoD’s commitment to fostering interagency integration and addressing policy challenges while encouraging new pathways for collaboration. With shared efforts across sectors, the U.S. aims to stay ahead of the evolving UAS threat landscape, focusing on safeguarding both national security and public safety.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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