Role of DoD Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Homeland Security

Ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have resulted in an increased demand for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities for commanders. In an effort to satisfy this insatiable appetite for ISR assets, the Air Force has increased its program of record for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). These assets, and the Airmen who operate them, maintain a high operational tempo in Iraq and Afghanistan. But eventually these operations will terminate and the demand for ISR overseas will be greatly reduced, resulting in many UAVs and their associated crews being underutilized. This paper seeks to identify ways in which the nation can leverage these Department of Defense (DoD) assets in defense of the homeland. Drug interdiction, port security, disaster relief, search and rescue, and border patrol are just a few of the potential roles for UAVs in homeland security and defense. The capabilities that made UAVs so invaluable in military operations are the same capabilities that can help secure our borders and coastlines to ensure protection of the civilian population. UAVs also can be valuable in many other areas, including mapping, land management, earth science research, fire detection, and wildfire management. There are, however, certain laws and policies currently in place that may limit the ability to leverage these DoD capabilities. The Posse Comitatus act, which prohibits the use of the military in law enforcement, is one of the better known restrictions. In addition, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) places strict limits on the use of UAVs in the National Airspace System (NAS). This paper will review these restrictions and the exceptions to them that would allow UAV operations in the homeland. First, background information is presented on the history of UAV development, UAV contributions to ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, UAV capabilities and advantages, and current civil uses of UAVs. Strategy Research Project.