President Biden called for Congress’ help in letting more law enforcement agencies access drone tracking systems on Monday. In recent months, government use of counter-drone systems has become more controversial after a Ukrainian government official asked drone-maker DJI to cut off Russia’s access to its aeroscope drone location system.
The White House’s outline of what it calls the’domestic counter-unmanned aircraft systems National action plan’. The statement also asks Congress to give more drone detection powers to state, local, territorial and tribal law enforcement agencies.
The administration’s plan calls for a trial program of select state, local, and tribal agencies to work on drone mitigation. It would also create a list of approved drone detection equipment and set up a database for all government agencies to track drone-related incidents.
Officials from both the Department of Homeland Security and justice have signaled support for the plan. The White House’s fact sheet says”close critical gaps in existing law and policy’ around drones without Biden’s support.
In 2021 the Federal Aviation Administration finalized new rules that will require any new drones to broadcast the operator’s location. It’ll be mostly illegal to fly a drone without those capabilities one year later.