Five Federal Agencies Sign Counter-Drone Pact to Speed Safe Deployment of New Systems
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the Department of War, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced in Washington on November 9 that they have signed a memorandum of understanding expanding interagency coordination of counter-drone operations, as the government adapts to the latest drone threats while ensuring the technologies do not adversely affect aircraft operations or navigation equipment.
The memorandum, led by the White House Task Force to Restore American Airspace Sovereignty, further establishes an interagency process to evaluate counter-drone technologies and deploy them to protect aviation safety and advance national security. The Transportation Department said the effort builds on existing collaboration between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and federal partners, including a temporary flight restriction for drones along the southern U.S. border and a completed comprehensive safety assessment of the War Department's high-energy laser counter-drone system.
"We're taking a proactive, whole-of-government approach to protecting American airspace from emerging 21st century threats," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. "By bringing all our federal partners together, we can strengthen our ability to combat rogue drone threats and keep the flying public safe." FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the safety of the National Airspace System is the FAA's top priority and that the agreement establishes a consistent process to ensure counter-drone technologies can be used without compromising aviation safety.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Department of War is rapidly fielding cutting-edge capabilities to safeguard the southern border and harden critical military installations, and that next-generation counter-drone defenses, including high-energy lasers, have been demonstrated on the southern border to deploy rapidly and safely alongside civilian aviation. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said protecting American energy infrastructure is essential to national security and that stronger coordination lets the government deploy cutting-edge technologies to protect the nation's most vital assets. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the action will help counter cartel drone threats, protect personnel and strengthen security in the airspace above the border.
Attorney General Todd Blanche noted that this summer the FBI arrested five men accused of planning to deploy drones armed with explosives in and around a White House event that attracted thousands of visitors. FBI Director Kash Patel said the FBI protected Americans from drone threats at the FIFA World Cup, working with state and local officers and seizing over 700 drones during the tournament, and that the agreement strengthens the federal coordination behind that work so new counter-drone tools are tested, deconflicted and ready to deploy safely alongside civilian aviation.
Under the details of the memorandum, the parties will work closely with the FAA and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) when developing new systems that detect, track, stop or take control of dangerous or unauthorized drones, and will consider DOT, FAA and FCC requirements and testing data in researching, developing, testing, evaluating or assessing those systems. The parties will collaborate on technical requirements, field testing and data sharing to help safely introduce new counter-drone systems. The FAA will quickly review and conduct safety risk assessments of proposed systems, provide technical data showing unsafe conditions along with recommended ways to reduce risk, and, if it believes additional risk mitigation is needed, can implement its own protective measures, including restricting airspace.
Related: DOT, War and Homeland Security Departments Join Forces to Protect Southern Border Airspace
(Source: U.S. Department of Transportation)
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：美国交通部总部大楼（GSM 固定图库）。 / Photo: U.S. Department of Transportation headquarters (GSM asset library).
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