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The U.S. Defense Dept. has issued guidance concerning the civil use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
According to the department, a Pentagon spokesman said that drones have raised department concerns “for the safety and security of its installations, its aviation and its people.” Guidance was sent Aug. 4 to the services and to installations about the use of drones over and around military installations.
Defense said that according to U.S. Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, new guidance specifies how the military is to interact with local communities concerning airspace restrictions on and near Defense installations. Davis also said, as reported by the department, that the guidance follows classified guidance developed with the FAA and other agencies, provided to the military and installations early last month.
“We support civilian law enforcement investigations in the prosecution of unauthorized UAS operations over military installations, and though we do not discuss specific force-protection measures, we of course retain the right of self-defense,” Davis said. “And when it comes to UAS or drones operating over military installations, this new guidance does afford us the ability to take action to stop those threats.”
Defense said that “action” includes tracking, disabling and destroying drones, depending on the situation.
The U.S. Army recently cracked down on its own use of consumer drones, halting all use of DJI airframes and associated equipment.