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As a part of the Drone Prepared and AAM Prepared initiatives, the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) tracked all legislation regarding drones and advanced air mobility (AAM) introduced during this year’s state legislative sessions. Based on AUVSI’s analysis of over 150 measures introduced in statehouses, this year’s legislative sessions saw both recurring topics and emerging new trends. Topics AUVSI has tracked over multiple state sessions, including this year’s, include operations near critical infrastructure, contraband delivery, and aerial trespass. Legislation supporting state agency use of UAS retained its positive trend line this year. For example, the supplemental appropriations bill passed in Alabama included robust funding for the state’s Department of Transportation (DOT) to purchase and use drones, alongside passing AUVSI’s recommended legislative language and accompanying funding to support AAM operations in the state. Response to UAS security warnings issued by federal agencies was a topic that emerged in 2023 and grew during the 2024 sessions. Lawmakers in 12 states — Alabama, Arizona, Iowa, Illinois, Maine, Missouri, Connecticut, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Washington, and West Virginia — proposed measures that would prohibit state agencies from purchasing UAS from covered foreign entities. An area where AUVSI tracked a heightened focus in 2024 was the weaponization of drones and robotics. Lawmakers in six states — Connecticut, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts —proposed measures that would prohibit equipping UAS with a weapon.Looking Ahead As the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA” or “the Agency”) Reauthorization Act of 2024 is implemented, AUVSI is anticipating three areas to receive attention at the state, local, and tribal levels: Public perception of commercial drone operations, guidance on law enforcement use of drones, and programs for state agencies like DOTs to use drones. First, the FAA Reauthorization law grants the Agency flexibility for approving risk-based and performance-based waivers and exemptions that allow drone operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). The FAA has made more progress within the last year than many previous years combined on approving BLVOS waivers and exemptions. AUVSI is urging the Agency to maintain that trend even as it works on Part 108 BVLOS rulemaking. As UAS operations are brought to scale and conducted over populous areas and ground traffic, the public will become more aware of the drone industry than ever before. One obvious example is the expansion of drone delivery operations in North Texas. The FAA recently approved flights leveraging unmanned aircraft system traffic management (UTM) with no visual observers for multiple companies in the area. Second, as more law enforcement agencies receive tactical BVLOS waivers and adopt Drones as a First Responder (DFR) programs, more legislation on this topic is anticipated. Relevant state measures that AUVSI tracked in 2023 and 2024 include language about privacy and access to collected data, bans on facial recognition technologies on police drones, and other guidance for law enforcement agency use of UAS. Third, the FAA Reauthorization law also authorizes a grant program for local, state, and tribal governments to purchase and use drones for critical infrastructure inspections and construction projects. Pending full funding of the program, AUVSI anticipates seeing more measures around state use of UAS in 2025 and beyond. States will want to be involved in grant programs that provide meaningful benefits for their infrastructure projects, and industry will benefit from opportunities to collaborate with agencies using drones. These grant programs are not only focused on procurement, but also on necessary training for drone users, a strong element in continued workforce development growth.Recommendations for Our Industry’s Future In preparation for the new AAM Prepared initiative that launched this year, AUVSI analyzed every report issued by state AAM study committees nationwide to date. Among the top five themes that were uncovered, there was a repeated emphasis on the importance of outreach to local communities. Specific recommendations included town halls in locations of interest, discussions with local leaders, and creating opportunities for stakeholders to raise concerns directly with interested companies. The commercial drone industry can also learn from these recommendations and consider them when seeking to build local community engagement and trust. AUVSI’s analysis of local media coverage and social media listening tools during this year’s state legislative sessions uncovered an increased, positive narrative about the role of UAS in filling workforce gaps and increasing job site safety. This included the agriculture, construction, inspection and survey, and small package delivery sectors. As the industry conducts outreach to communities, there is an opportunity to maintain this momentum by focusing on tangible workforce benefits that widespread UAS operations bring. Through the Drone Prepared initiative, AUVSI has a strategy for engaging with and educating state and local lawmakers about the benefits drones will bring to their communities. AUVSI is optimistic about the industry’s outlook and the power of drones to transform how we move people and goods, conduct critical missions like public safety and infrastructure inspection, and unlock a more equitable aviation future.Authors:&nbsp; Scott Shtofman, Director of Government Affairs &amp; Chelsie Jeppson, Director, Communications at&nbsp; Association for Uncrewed Vehicles Systems&nbsp; International (AUVSI)&nbsp; www.auvsi.orgCONTRIBUTION: The claims and statements made in this article belong exclusively to the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of UAS Magazine or its advertisers. All questions pertaining to this article should be directed to the author(s).Printed in the 2024 issue of UAS Magazine/Directory

2024-09-18 - Strategy Toward Advancement (UAS Magazine)

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How States Can Prepare Today For the Future of Advanced Aviation

Strategy Toward Advancement

Drones are an amazing tool to increase efficiency and decreasing the time (and cost) for many tasks. &nbsp;The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) unleashed commercial drone operations through 14 CFR §107, or “Part 107.” However, the FAA labeled Part 107 an “incremental” approach to beginning low-risk commercial drone operations in the national airspace.&nbsp; Due to its incremental approach, Part 107 is “silent” on many important topics, including operational safety, maintenance, and insurance. Regretfully, with these gaps, Part 107 is not a robust framework for effectively deploying large-scale, drone-as-a-tool programs.&nbsp; A prudent commercial drone operator should fill these Part 107 gaps with an operational handbook. This article provides a suggested framework, key topics, our experiences and some resources. &nbsp;The handbook should establish an aviation mindset&nbsp; Professional drone operations require a traditional aviation mindset. Drones present the next evolution in aerial technology. Because they follow the same laws of physics and fly in the same airspace as crewed aircraft, effective and safe drone use must be consistent with established aviation procedures.Establish an enterprise drone standard All Part 107 operations in an enterprise must follow a consistent set of standards. Our drone handbook standards apply equally to all drone pilots, aircraft, activities and our third party vendors. In practice, this means that our hundreds of drone pilots, spread across the US, all fully comply with the handbook.Maintain flight currency One striking gap in Part 107 is its “silence” on minimum flight experience. Specifically, Part 107 requires no initial practical flight evaluation, nor any previous flight experience to obtain a commercial remote pilot license. Further, a pilot is never obligated to fly after having been licensed.&nbsp; A pilot’s proficiency directly relates to the recency of their experience. Consequently, our handbook establishes an initial qualification process (IQP) for all pilots. This IQP is both an additional ground school after obtaining Part 107 licensure and a set of required minimum flight maneuvers. To maintain flight currency and keep aviator skills sharp, each remote pilot must fly at least once every 90 days. This improves pilot operational readiness and limits skill atrophy.&nbsp; Employ an enterprise Safety Management System (SMS) Part 107 does not require a safety management system (SMS). We recommend establishing one for enterprise drone operations. When developing your SMS, strike a balance between safety, training, and completing missions. Use a common sense approach to avoid “safety handcuffs” on remote pilots, and stifling operations. Alongside the SMS, we created a “high trust” culture among our drone professionals that encourages self-reporting of errors so all can learn and improve. Our pilots can use an online, automated safety reporting tool to report any issues during operations. The SMS outputs are used as anonymous examples in a quarterly safety meeting to proactively teach all pilots about potential operational pitfalls. Our SMS was developed from the International Business Aircraft Council (IBAC) protocols. Other standards for a drone SMS include the Drone Safety Team SMS guidance.Implement a system of record (SOR) for all drone operations We recommend implementing a common system-of-record (SOR) software platform that captures all flight data. A SOR should provide access to all critical flight information, including the flight start/end time, flight path, altitudes, weather and battery levels. Other key features include the creation of sortable lists of all personnel and aircraft, to verify pilot currency, drone documentation and track aircraft status. By allowing an organization to access and analyze relevant data, a SOR empowers operational safety oversight. Well-informed, data-driven decisions help evolve safety posture from reactive to proactive.Centrally set and track drone maintenance Maintenance tracking requires a common platform shared by all personnel to standardize recurring maintenance intervals. Our maintenance triggers meet or exceed the manufacturers’ guidance, are event based (on flight hours) and time based (on calendar months). For example, a drone must undergo a full inspection every 12 months. Our SOR tracks maintenance standards, providing insight to the accumulated drone hours, and current maintenance status. Using cloud based data, we can centrally “ground” a drone that does not meet current maintenance standards.Keep it short &amp; simple in handbook drafting Use the KISS principle in drafting: keep it short &amp; simple. Enterprise scale operations require addressing many topics in a meaningful handbook. Simplicity and brevity make your handbook more likely to be used by your pilots. We annually review our handbook to keep up with industry, regulations, technology and laws.Obtain aviation liability insurance While Part 107 does not mandate insurance, our handbook requires aviation liability insurance for all drones. Aviation liability insurance protects against personal injury or property damage from drone operations. &nbsp;We have a tiered coverage requirement. The larger the drone (including payload), the greater the insurance amount.Establish protocols for accidents, investigations &amp; reporting Certain drone accidents must be reported to the FAA and possibly the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Your handbook should include a detailed checklist for the pilot to promptly capture all relevant accident details.&nbsp; To clarify when the FAA and/or the NTSB reporting rule are triggered, the handbook should also itemize an accident-reporting process and list of contacts. Harmonize drone operations with established corporate policies&nbsp; We recommend carefully adapting your existing corporate policies to align with your drone operations, ensuring they remain consistent with your overall drone program.Integrate privacy, cyber &amp; data protection into drone ops Integrate privacy advice into the handbook to ensure your drone operations comply with applicable privacy laws. Consider thoughtfully incorporating your corporate privacy policy into your drone handbook. If no corporate privacy policy exists, you can integrate some industry best practices, such as “Voluntary Best Practices for UAS Privacy, Transparency, and Accountability” by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.&nbsp; Drone operators should consider a cybersecurity policy. Evaluate incorporating your corporate cyber policy into your handbook, or review other industry resources, such as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) publication “Cybersecurity Best Practices For Operating Commercial Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs).”Finally, incorporate a data capture/use policy for any cameras or other recording devices on your drones. We require the camera, when inactive, be pointed in a horizontal or skyward direction to minimize the likelihood of inadvertent capture of protected data. We deliberately avoid capturing personal data that is not related to the mission.Don’t forget other corporate policies Align your safety and environmental policies with aviation practices (e.g., pilot safety vests, and drone battery disposal). Further, incorporate rules for interactions between drones and birds (including nests) to comply with federal and state avian laws.Establish a process to deconflict state / local law issues The FAA zealously protects drones use in the national airspace. Nonetheless, there are many state and local laws regulating drone usage. Many laws mix legitimate state police powers and an unfortunate overreach into drone operations in the national airspace. Your drone handbook should provide some guidance in navigating between FAA rules and state or local laws that impact drone operations. Preparing for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, or Part 108 The time is ripe to implement a drone handbook. The 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act has directed the FAA to implement BVLOS rules, likely under “Part 108,” by early 2026. Implementing a drone handbook and standardizing your operating protocols now can increase your readiness for Part 108 operations.Conclusion A drone handbook is a tool to increase the proficiency and professionalism of your drone operations. It can help your organization safely unlock the full value of commercial drones. We welcome the opportunity to discuss any questions you may have. Contact us at VZdrones@Verizon.com. Happy flying!Authors:&nbsp; Dustin Schocken, Leader of Verizon&nbsp; Drone Use &amp; Compliance (VZDUC) at Verizon, Peter Vanderloo, Lead Lawyer at Verizon, Scott Forbes, Drone Safety &amp; Standards at VerizonCONTRIBUTION: The claims and statements made in this article belong exclusively to the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of UAS Magazine or its advertisers. All questions pertaining to this article should be directed to the author(s).Printed in the 2024 issue of UAS Magazine/Directory

2024-09-18 - Up in the Air: Using an Aviation Mindset to Navigate the Gaps in Part 107 (UAS Magazine)

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Commercial Drone Operations for Enterprise Professionals

Up in the Air: Using an Aviation Mindset to Navigate the Gaps in Part 107

Uninhabited aerial vehicles (UAVs) are evolving rapidly and delivering greater and greater operational effects, ranging from conducting surveillance and reconnaissance to offensive force application. Advances in commercial technology, manufacturing, materials, and design are driving down costs and improving effectiveness, presenting both opportunities and challenges to countries large and small.&nbsp; UAVs are democratizing airpower and changing warfare in the process. Almost any force can now achieve effects not possible in the past for any but the richest countries.&nbsp; The use of UAVs in relatively large numbers dates back to the Vietnam War, when they were primarily used for reconnaissance. It was not until October 7, 2001, that a weapon was fired from an MQ-1 Predator UAV. That signature event simplified the find, fix, and finish kill chain dramatically, reducing the time from detecting a target to destroying it. The combination of a shorter kill chain and vastly improved situational awareness spawned a plethora of UAVs and a revolution in their employment over the next two decades.&nbsp; Today, the application of UAVs is expanding even further. More tanks have been destroyed by UAVs in the Russia-Ukraine war than by anti-tank munitions—at a fraction of the cost. Indeed, these tank-killer UAVs can be had for just one to two percent of the cost of conventional anti-tank rounds.i &nbsp;This can only increase UAV proliferation.&nbsp; Yet as exciting as these developments are, not all applications of this technology are equal. Using small first-person view (FPV) drones in Ukraine to kill Russian tanks a few miles away is in no way the same as engaging troop ships moving across the 100-mile-wide Straits of Taiwan.&nbsp; The rise of inexpensive commercial UAVs—commonly called drones, a vague and ubiquitous term lacking any specificity—means this technology is available to anyone. There are now more than 1,200 drone manufacturersii &nbsp;worldwide. Smart use of these UAVs can achieve dramatic results and have far-reaching implications for the character of warfare the U.S. military can expect to face in future conflicts. At a macro level, these can be summarized as follows:&nbsp; • UAVs can be applied in diverse applications and used for various purposes, including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, targeting, lethal attacks, electronic warfare, cargo delivery, and more. At the same time, UAVs come in a wide range of sizes, payloads, range, and capability. The autonomous, low-observable, jet-powered collaborative combat aircraft (CCA), now being developed by the U.S. Air Force, are intended to complement fifth and future sixth generation combat aircraftiii by operating with them. CCA will be force multipliers capable of disrupting and imposing costs on a peer adversary’s air defenses in much the same way as a fighter jet. That’s a world apart from two-pound, two-mile range FPVs. • UAVs can provide endurance over human performance, allowing UAVs to observe, evaluate and respond to pre-planned and emerging subjects of interest with a persistence humans cannot match. This can either translate to covering a large geographic area or focusing on a smaller number of operating areas for a longer period. As such, UAVs are uniquely suited to precision attack while limiting collateral damage and unintended casualties. Planners can integrate these aircraft into the broader battle enterprise in a highly collaborative, fused fashion regardless of domain: ground, sea, air, space or cyberspace. While initially used in uncontested airspace, UAVs are now being developed to operate in highly contested areas enabled by artificial intelligence (AI). They have also spawned a technological arms race in counter-UAV electronic warfare and other tactics for defeating these aircraft. &nbsp; • Counter-drone measures are increasingly important. Recent uses of small drones have disrupted U.S. military operations as well as overseas, sometimes with deadly consequences. Three U.S. service personnel have been killed by UAVs to date. The Chairman and Ranking minority member of the Senate Armed Services Committee agree that “...our nation lacks adequate drone detection capability...clear lines of authority about which agency is responsible for stopping these incursions,” and requires action to “significantly boost our defensive capabilities against hostile UAS at our military bases overseas, nearly all of which lack counter-drone capabilities.”iv Both offensive and defensive electronic warfare (EW) systems are now being deployed to disrupt or neutralize enemy drones. Jamming signals, hacking control systems and directed energy weapons are all in the pipeline. Lawfare is also being used by our adversaries—and well-meaning, but misguided people—to seek to constrain the U.S. military’s use of autonomous drones by raising legal and ethical questions regarding compliance with international humanitarian law.&nbsp; Taken together, these advances require action by the U.S. to ensure U.S. security objectives will be met. Actions the U.S. should pursue include:&nbsp; • Policy and Regulation. The nuclear non-proliferation Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) treats UAVs as if they were weapons of mass destruction. They are not. MTCR guidelines undermine U.S. relationships with key allies and partners and diminish coalition warfighting capability and capacity. The result increases operational security risks to the U.S. The U.S. should redefine UAVs in the MTCR as combat aircraft. This strategic shift would align with current technological realities and geopolitical needs, enhancing both national security and international relations.&nbsp; • Comprehensive UAV Framework: The Department of Defense should develop a cohesive policy that addresses the use of AI and autonomy in UAV systems. This includes ensuring interoperability between the military services and intelligence agencies while optimizing their use and preventing excessive and unnecessary limitations in combat operations. This framework should also address how UAVs can provide a set of challenges to our adversaries that are so difficult to deal with that they can directly contribute to achieving effective deterrence. • Ethical Standards: UAVs and specifically autonomous weapon systems can and should be subject to the extensive body of international law regarding armed conflict and associated conventions. However, contrary to some characterizations of lethal autonomous weapon systems, they hold great potential to reduce the loss of life in conflict and may significantly reduce the vagaries of human misconduct and malfeasance in the battlespace.v&nbsp; • Innovation: The U.S. should also invest to accelerate innovation and ensure the nation and its military remain a leader in this crucial arena. That includes advancements in AI, machine learning, and counter-drone technology. • Capacity: The United States should also work to produce, acquire and field CCA at scale to increase U.S. military capacity to project counterair mass at range into highly contested areas. CCA present a unique opportunity to create a new force design that can achieve the degree of air superiority in contested environments required to execute joint force operations. CCA brings the only possible solution to reducing the ongoing decline in U.S. Air Force warfighting capacity. • Public-Private Partnerships: Encouraging collaboration between the military and private sector to leverage commercial innovations and accelerate the development of cutting-edge UAV technologies. • Training and Doctrine: Implementing specialized training programs for UAV operators and integrating UAV operations into military doctrine is required to maximize their effectiveness in various combat scenarios. • Scenario Planning: Conducting war games and simulations to develop and refine tactics for drone warfare, will ensure preparedness for a range of potential conflicts.The ongoing advancements in UAV technology are reshaping the character of warfare, presenting both strategic opportunities and complex challenges. The U.S. must adopt a multifaceted approach, incorporating technological innovation, common sense ethical governance that capitalizes on the advantages of AI and autonomy, and strategic adaptation to effectively respond to the evolving security landscape.Lt. Gen Deptula, USAF (Ret.) is one of the world’s foremost airpower experts. Featured in Airpower Pioneers: From Billy Mitchell to Dave Deptula, he is currently the Dean, Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies. He oversaw the first combat employment of a Hellfire off a Predator, and later as the first Air Force chief of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance he transformed the U.S. military drone enterprise changing the character of modern warfare.Author: Lt Gen Deptula, USAF (Ret.)Footnotes: ihttps://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-defense/3885659-ukraines-combat-performance-using-kamikaze-uavs-impresses-aselsan-ceo.html iiEd Alvarado, “Drone Market Map: The Drone World In An Infographic,” Drone Industry Insights, October 10, 2022. https://droneii.com/drone-market-map-2022-drone-world-infographic iiiMark A. Gunzinger, “The Need For Collaborative Combat Aircraft For Disruptive Air Warfare,” The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, February 2024. ivJack Reed and Roger Wicker, “The U.S. — and its troops abroad — are vulnerable to low-flying drones,” The Washington Post, April 22, 2024. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/04/22/drone-attacks-us-troops/ vDavid A. Deptula, “An Operational perspective on the Ethics of the Use of Autonomous Weapons,” Journal of Ethics &amp; International Affairs, Cambridge University Press, December 1, 2023.CONTRIBUTION: The claims and statements made in this article belong exclusively to the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of UAS Magazine or its advertisers. All questions pertaining to this article should be directed to the author(s).Printed in the 2024 issue of UAS Magazine/Directory

2024-09-18 - Evaluating Defense Levels (UAS Magazine)

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Assessing the State of UAVs Today: Implications for the U.S. Military

Evaluating Defense Levels

The mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) is to safeguard our nation by anticipating and confronting security threats through aviation and maritime law enforcement expertise, innovative capabilities and partnerships at the border and beyond. AMO achieves its mission by monitoring thousands of miles of air, maritime and land borders around the clock; defending the United States against terrorist threats; detecting and deterring illicit trafficking in persons, drugs, weapons, money and other goods; and disrupting criminal networks. AMO conducts operations in four mission areas: Maritime and Land Law Enforcement; Domain Awareness; Extended Border Operations; and Contingency and National Security Operations. AMO operates more than 200 airplanes, helicopters, and unmanned aircraft, and commands and oversees more than 300 marine vessels. AMO currently operates the General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems, Inc. MQ-9 Predator B Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) as part of the overall aviation fleet. &nbsp; CBP was the first federal agency to introduce large-scale MQ-9 operations to the National Airspace System (NAS) for homeland security and disaster recovery missions. AMO operates the highly capable and proven MQ-9 to enhance operational capabilities and increase maritime domain awareness. AMO UAS crewmembers operate the MQ-9 to provide a high-endurance, long-range strategic and tactical surveillance and intelligence gathering capability, reinforcing a broad range of mission scenarios along and across terrestrial and maritime environments on the borders of the United States.&nbsp; MQ-9 UAS augments crewed air and ground interdiction agents deployed on the Southern and Northern Borders. UAS also complements crewed air and maritime interdiction agents on and near these U.S. border regions, as well as in the drug source and transit zones off the coasts of South America and the Caribbean. UAS supports other government agencies, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Energy, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Intelligence Community and local law enforcement agencies; and for special operations in collaboration with partnering nations countering transnational criminal organizations. UAS has also been employed during disaster operations to respond to contingencies such as hurricanes or floods.Increasing UAS Flight Hours and Capabilities CBP fielded the first MQ-9 UAS in 2005. Since its inception, the MQ-9 fleet has continuously increased flight hours, from under 500 hours in the first year of operation to amassing nearly 12,000 hours in Fiscal Year 2023. AMO MQ-9s are piloted by Air Interdiction Agents (AIA). Aviation Enforcement Agents (AEA) serve as sensor operators. AIAs are, at minimum, commercially licensed pilots, with many rated as an Airline Transport Pilot. Aircrews are responsible for the management of the MQ-9 systems and sensors while operating in the National Airspace System. The aircrews are also responsible for Air Traffic Control communication and coordinating with tactical law enforcement partners.&nbsp; Each MQ-9 is equipped with an Electro-Optical/Infra-Red (EO/IR) system that includes both visible and infrared sensors. Because this sensor spans visible and infrared wavelengths, EO/IR systems provide total situational awareness day and night, and in low light conditions to air and ground interdiction agents. In 2012, AMO integrated Vehicle and Dismount Exploitation (VaDER) Radar capability into the MQ-9 UAS, a strategic and tactical operations land sensor that provides accurate, real-time dismounted ground moving target data and radar imagery supporting Border Patrol Agents while simultaneously recording strategic intelligence data. &nbsp; AMO also developed a maritime domain awareness MQ-9 UAS, that is equipped with a SeaVue maritime radar. This maritime radar is effective for detecting, identifying, and tracking maritime surface traffic in coastal areas surrounding the U.S. and the maritime transit zone used by transnational criminal organizations to transport bulk quantities of illicit substances.MQ-9 Modification: Big Wing Working in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, two MQ-9 airframes have been modified with a Big Wing kit, replacing the previous 66-foot aircraft wings with 79-foot wings. This allows the versatile MQ-9 to increase mission time, resulting in greater range, endurance, and domain awareness. With the Big Wing modification, maximum flight time is increased by over 10 hours, from 20 hours in a standard wing MQ-9, to 30-plus hours for Big Wing UAS. Included with the upgrade are increased fuel capacity, a four-bladed propeller upgraded from the standard three-bladed prop, and a de-icing capability that allows the equipped MQ-9 to fly through light icing conditions while shedding the ice build-up.National Air Security Operations Centers and Extended Border And Foreign Operations AMO’s MQ-9s operate from three National Air Security Operations Centers, or NASOCs. These UAS Centers are located in Grand Forks, North Dakota; Sierra Vista, Arizona; and San Angelo, Texas. MQ-9s also deploy as necessary from NASOCs for use primarily in extended border and foreign operations missions. AMO’s extended border and foreign operations include U.S. and foreign government partners and involves detecting, identifying, tracking, and interdicting targets in the Source and Transit Zones. These missions often involve combined and joint operations with other law enforcement organizations and international partners combating transnational criminal organizations. These operations foster partnerships with foreign governments and collaboration with foreign law enforcement agencies.AMO UAS in Operations The MQ-9 UAS is a proven operational multiplier to stop, detect and track illicit activity. A recent mission demonstrates its capability, where on March 6, 2024, an AMO MQ-9 crew detected suspicious vessel activity near the British Virgin Islands and maintained continuous observation of a vessel of interest. AMO’s UAS operators facilitated communication with responding crews: Caribbean Air and Marine Branch-based UH-60, St. Thomas Marine Unit 41’ SAFE Boat crews, and an international maritime law enforcement team.&nbsp; The vessel attempted to evade law enforcement, making erratic maneuvers, and eventually ran into a dock. Three people fled. Law enforcement teams seized 62 bales of cocaine from the grounded vessel. Authorities determined the final weight of seized cocaine totaled 4,294 pounds or 2.1 tons. The amount of seized cocaine denied transnational criminal organizations approximately $48.7 million USD.&nbsp; During Fiscal Year 2023, AMO UAS operators reported 57,670 detections of cross-border and maritime traffic suspected of illegal activity. Additionally, AMO UAS crews successfully conducted multiple missions that contributed to the seizure of 25,615 pounds of marijuana and 11,360 pounds of cocaine.AMO Envisions a Strong Future for UAS Looking forward, the AMO UAS program will persist in its dedication toward the goal of increasing operational effectiveness by closing gaps in domain awareness, cultivating productive partner relationships, increasing intelligence capabilities and operational performance, improving information sharing, and performing assessments of emerging technologies. The MQ-9 UAS program will continue with system improvements to facilitate domain and situational awareness, critical elements in the organization’s ability to successfully execute the surveillance continuum of predicting, detecting, identifying, tracking, responding and resolving threats. AMO envisions a strong and growing future for UAS operations as a vital component of AMO’s mission to safeguard the nation from the air and the sea.Author: U.S. Customs and Border Protection CONTRIBUTION: The claims and statements made in this article belong exclusively to the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of UAS Magazine or its advertisers. All questions pertaining to this article should be directed to the author(s).Printed in the 2024 issue of UAS Magazine/Directory

2024-09-18 - Safeguarding America (UAS Magazine)

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The Air and Marine Operations MQ-9 Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)

Safeguarding America

DeTect, Inc. is a pioneering U.S. manufacturer at the forefront of advanced radar and sensor technologies, providing cutting-edge solutions in a time when Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) and counter-UAS operations are rapidly gaining traction. As the only American-built radar source compliant with U.S. manufacturing standards, DeTect is fully automated and operates within within federal guidelines, offering unparalleled precision in detecting small targets, both mechanical and biological. Specializing in 2D and True3D™ radar, DeTect leads the market in bird strike avoidance, wind energy risk assessment, and industrial bird control. Since 2003, the company has delivered over 300 of its innovative MERLIN bird radars to clients across the U.S., Canada, Europe, Africa, and Asia. MERLIN’s proprietary radar signal processing technology, designed for detecting small, non-cooperative, low radar-cross section targets, has made it one of the most affordable and sensitive systems for airspace and marine security. DeTect's HARRIER line of radars extends the company’s expertise into security and surveillance applications, reliably tracking drones, UAS, helicopters, ships, and aircraft. These radars offer full surveillance from ground level to 20,000 feet and are ideal for force protection and homeland security. Paired with the MERLIN system, HARRIER offers unrivaled performance in detecting small UAS in high-clutter environments. The innovative DroneWatcherRF system offers state-of-the-art drone detection, identifying 95% of consumer and prosumer drones up to 12 miles away. Compact and unobtrusive, this system provides real-time drone ID and tracking, along with proprietary drone interdiction capabilities. By integrating seamlessly with DeTect’s broader radar ecosystem, DroneWatcherRF enhances the company’s overall security offerings, ensuring comprehensive detection and defense solutions. With a commitment to providing “The Right Radar for the Job,” DeTect continues to deliver comprehensive radar solutions to global clients, including the Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Air Force, and NASA. Backed by expert engineers, scientists, and technicians, DeTect supports customers with everything from project design to long-term operational support, ensuring excellence in security, safety, and environmental management. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about DeTect, Inc., please reach out to Ryan Walsh at Ryan.Walsh@ detect-inc.com. &nbsp;

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DeTect, Inc. is a pioneering U.S. manufacturer at the forefront of advanced radar and sensor technologies, providing cutting-edge solutions in a time when Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) and counter-UAS operations are rapidly gaining traction.

SPOTLIGHT: The Right Radar for the Job

The ability to provide seamless communication across crew members and support personnel is at the heart of both manned and unmanned flight operations. &nbsp;Integrated communications is a critical function for all mission operations, regardless of where they are physically located. But how best to link together this distributed system across a wide variety of roles, job functions and operational needs? And how best to distribute those comms across terrestrial and satellite links and even across security domains?&nbsp; Clear-Com’s Audio Multi-level Security (AMLS) enabled solution for Unmanned Systems offers an integrated, single-source solution for a variety of multi-class voice communication needs. This includes the ability for operators to interface with third-party equipment such as two-way radios, VoIP/SIP devices, computers and other communication systems. “We provide real-time, full duplex voice communications for mission-critical applications,” says Cliff Emerson, Solutions Architect at Clear-Com. “In addition, our broad portfolio enables us to facilitate nearly any communication workflow resulting in a seamless, cohesive system that our customers can depend on. These applications include fixed operator positions, high-density trunking between distributed systems, wireless for those that require more agility to perform their tasks and of course a variety of traditional communication workflows, such as telephony, radio, and/or VoIP. &nbsp; For over 50 years, Clear-Com has consistently embraced the opportunity to help our customers architect simple to very complex communication solutions across the military, aerospace, and government sectors along with our core markets that include Broadcast, Live Entertainment, Theater, House of Worship, and many others. Internationally recognized for the reliability and innovation of its analog, IP &amp; wireless voice communication systems, Clear-Com has been deployed in more than 100 countries worldwide. Clear-Com’s use extends beyond the traditional telephony style of communicating and into a rapidly growing need for instantaneous collaboration and coordination across small to large groups. &nbsp;The result is a safer, more effective workflow that delivers the right mix of experience, competencies, and flexibility for customers seeking to perform at their highest level. &nbsp;

2024-09-18 - SPOTLIGHT: Multi-level Voice Communications (UAS Magazine)

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The ability to provide seamless communication across crew members and support personnel is at the heart of both manned and unmanned flight operations. 

SPOTLIGHT: Multi-level Voice Communications

Increased availability of drone hardware at many price points makes the collection of geotagged images from a UAS one of the more accessible methods of field data collection for creating a digital twin. Once collected, the Pixels to Points tool in Global Mapper Pro®, the all-in-one geospatial software, can transform a simple set of 2D, geotagged images into a variety of high-resolution 3D data products. While the only required input for data processing with the Pixels to Points tool is a set of overlapping geotagged images, ground control points can enhance the generated data providing a higher level of positional accuracy for the generated point cloud, ortho-image, and any other derivative products. The Pixels to Points tool in Global Mapper® 26.0 introduces speed and quality improvements to the generated 3D data as well as advancements to the automatic placement of ground control points. The Pixels to Points tool in Global Mapper Pro can locate and tag control point locations in drone-collected images with minimal user input. This makes Pixels to Points valuable for situations where ground control points are sited on distinct visual elements in the natural scene or collected using placed visual targets. For each control point the user must define the target in a single image and Global Mapper Pro will search through using the approximate image bounds, control point coordinates, and raster analysis methods to find the defined target in as many images as possible. The control point is then placed in each image and all that is left for the user to do is to review the algorithm’s work. With ground control points located in the input images, various other analysis options can be set within the Pixels to Points tool and any or all the three outputs, a point cloud, a seamless orthoimage, and a textured 3D mesh can be generated. Once created, the work in Global Mapper Pro does not end there. The point cloud can be visually explored in the 2D, 3D and cross-sectional viewers. The program’s Automatic Point Cloud Analysis tool can then be used to classify standard and custom features using advanced segmentation analysis before moving on to the creation of digital terrain models, vector feature extraction and much more. &nbsp;

2024-09-18 - SPOTLIGHT: From Images to 3D Data with  Pixels to Points in Global Mapper Pro (UAS Magazine)

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Increased availability of drone hardware at many price points makes the collection of geotagged images from a UAS one of the more accessible methods of field data collection for creating a digital twin.

SPOTLIGHT: From Images to 3D Data with  Pixels to Points in Global Mapper Pro

As the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) industry rapidly expands and pushes the boundaries of new technology, it has become crucial that we foster a collaborative and innovative ecosystem for our industry’s future success. In this issue of UAS Magazine, we explore the cutting-edge technologies, regulatory challenges, and defense strategies shaping the future of UAS operations worldwide. In our Spotlight section, we highlight several industry leaders pushing the boundaries of innovation. Blue Marble Geographics is transforming raw images into powerful 3D data with its Pixels to Points tool in Global Mapper Pro, making geographic data more actionable than ever. Clear-Com’s advancements in multi-level voice communications are streamlining complex UAS operations by ensuring clear, uninterrupted communication between teams. Lastly, DeTect, Inc. is driving advancements in radar systems and airspace management, which are crucial to ensuring the safe integration of UAS and manned aircraft. Security remains a key focus, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection provides insight into how the MQ-9 Reaper drone is enhancing America’s border security. This feature underscores the growing role of UAS in protecting critical infrastructure and conducting aerial surveillance. On the Defense front, Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), examines the current state of UAV technology and its implications for the U.S. military in "Elevating Defense Levels." As UAVs become central to defense strategies, understanding their operational advantages and limitations is vital to maintaining security and readiness. In our Compliance section, authors Dustin Schocken, Peter Vanderloo, and Scott Forbes take a closer look at Part 107 regulations in “Up in the Air.” They discuss how adopting an aviation mindset is essential for navigating the regulatory complexities of commercial drone operations and ensuring enterprises remain compliant as they scale. Our Legislation feature, "Strategy Toward Advancement" by Scott Shtofman and Chelsie Jeppson, explores how states can prepare for the future of advanced aviation. As UAS and other aviation technologies evolve, policymakers must build frameworks that support both innovation and safety. This analysis provides a roadmap for aligning state policies with the rapid pace of UAS technology. As always, we are also pleased to offer a UAS Directory, which contains industry suppliers, producers, researchers, and government agencies. This comprehensive resource, found in the second portion of the magazine, provides valuable connections to the key players driving innovation in the UAS sector. The stories and resources in this issue underscore the importance of collaboration between technology developers, operators, and policymakers. Together, we are building an innovative ecosystem that will ensure UAS continues to rapidly advance both for defense and commerce applications. Thank you for joining us in this exploration of the future of UAS. We hope you find this issue both informative and inspiring. &nbsp;

2024-09-18 - Building an Innovative UAS Ecosystem for the Next Generation (UAS Magazine)

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As the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) industry rapidly expands and pushes the boundaries of new technology, it has become crucial that we foster a collaborative and innovative ecosystem for our industry’s future success.

Building an Innovative UAS Ecosystem for the Next Generation

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UAS Magazine 2024

UAS Magazine 2024

Columns

Building an Innovative UAS Ecosystem for the Next Generation

Featured

Strategy Toward Advancement

Up in the Air: Using an Aviation Mindset to Navigate the Gaps in Part 107

Evaluating Defense Levels

Safeguarding America

Departments

SPOTLIGHT: The Right Radar for the Job

SPOTLIGHT: Multi-level Voice Communications

SPOTLIGHT: From Images to 3D Data with Pixels to Points in Global Mapper Pro

UAS Magazine 2024.css-7jxktu{position:absolute;bottom:0px;left:0px;right:0px;height:3px;border-radius:3px;background-color:var(--chakra-colors-brandBlack);}

Columns

Building an Innovative UAS Ecosystem for the Next Generation

Featured

Strategy Toward Advancement

Up in the Air: Using an Aviation Mindset to Navigate the Gaps in Part 107

Evaluating Defense Levels

Safeguarding America

Departments

SPOTLIGHT: The Right Radar for the Job

SPOTLIGHT: Multi-level Voice Communications

SPOTLIGHT: From Images to 3D Data with Pixels to Points in Global Mapper Pro

UAS Magazine 2024