Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Measuring Progress and Addressing Potential Privacy Concerns Would Facilitate Integration into the National Airspace System

Abstract

UAS do not carry a pilot on board, but instead operate on pre-programmed routes and by following commands from pilot-operated ground stations. UAS can be small, generally 55 pounds or less, or large. Current domestic uses include law enforcement, forest fire monitoring, border security, weather research, and scientific data collection. However, current uses are limited. FAA authorizes UAS operations on a case-by-case basis after conducting a safety review. FAA and the other federal agencies that have a role or interest in UAS are working to provide routine access for UAS into the national airspace system. As requested, this report discusses (1) the status of obstacles identified in GAOs 2008 report to integrate UAS into the national airspace system, (2) FAAs progress in meeting its congressional requirements for UAS, and (3) emerging issues. GAO reviewed and analyzed documents and interviewed relevant government, academic, and private-sector entities, as well as UAS users and civil liberties organizations. FAA should incorporate regular monitoring of its efforts to assess progress toward fulfilling its statutory requirements. FAA, DHS, and DOJ should explore whether any actions are needed to guide the collection and use of UAS-acquired data. GAO provided a draft of this report to officials at DOT, DHS, DOJ, and three other agencies. DHS and DOJ concurred with the recommendation; DOT officials agreed to consider the recommendations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 18, 2012
Accession Number
AD1180457

Entities

People

  • Amy Abramowitz
  • Brian Lepore
  • Brian Mullins
  • Colin Fallon
  • Cristina Chaplain
  • Daniel Hoy
  • David Hooper
  • David Plocher
  • Elizabeth Curda
  • Erin Cohen
  • Faye Morrison
  • Gary Bianchi
  • Geoffrey Hamilton
  • Gerald L. Dillingham
  • Joe Kirschbaum
  • John De Ferrari
  • Madhav Panwar
  • Maria Edelstein
  • Patricia Lentini
  • Rebecca Gambler
  • Saraann Moessbauer
  • Tina W. Sherman

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Traffic
  • Air Traffic Control Systems
  • Air Transportation
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Border Security
  • Congress
  • Control Systems
  • Department Of Defense
  • Department Of Homeland Security
  • Global Positioning Systems
  • Ground Control Stations
  • Homeland Security
  • Law
  • Military Aircraft
  • National Governments
  • National Security
  • Sense And Avoid Systems
  • United States
  • United States Government
  • Unmanned Aerial Systems
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • Unmanned Systems

Readers

  • Aerial Unmanned Vehicle Swarm Micro Periodontal Dentistry.
  • Aviation Safety and Air Traffic Management
  • Defense Technology Research and Development.

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy
  • Space