Have you been paying attention to the drone controversy?

If you have, you’ve probably focused on all the attention surrounding the military’s adroit ability to target and eliminate terrorists. You’ve heard about Iran capturing U.S. drones and the objections of Pakistan to the civilian casualties.

Most of us get our daily news dose from places like Google. We don’t have the time to read everything.

You should pay attention to the less-publicized talk surrounding civilian drones. Current future plans will become reality in the next 2 to 3 years. Everyone, from the industrial giants, to our universities, to motorized model airplane aficionados promote the development of civilian miniaturized flying technology.

Here are 17 current facts about civilian drones that aren’t being over-publicized right now, but could be deadly to our future:

1.Defense contractors find bottom line expansion in civilian drones.

The money incentive behind civilian drones is huge. Some estimates put future civilian drone markets at $400 billion. The stakes are so high that traditionally defense contractors such as Boeing, General Atomics, Northrup Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and General Dynamics have significantly increased their lobbying activities. As our wars wind down and the defense budget is cut, corporations are avariciously eyeing civilian drone applications at about $300,000 per drone.

2.Corporations hide drone influence amounts.

There has been a marked increase in not for profits promoting drones. Heavy-hitting corporations are using not for profit organizations like the 501(c)3 Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) to help further their agenda. 501(c) organizations must make their annual IRS returns available to the public. However, public disclosure rules governing 501(c)’s do not require public access to the information for tax-exempt status other than a general statement, nor do they require that the names of donors or the amounts donated be detailed.

The UAVSI is a charitable organization dedicated to influencing policy toward UAVs and ensuring obstacles, including legislation viewed as unfavorable, are removed on behalf of its members. The organization is frequently viewed by the government, regulating agencies, and the public as a trustworthy source for UAV information.

Boeing, General Atomics, General Dynamics, Lockheed-Martin, and Northrup Grumman are listed as members of AUVSI in the 2012 annual report.

“Had a [drone] been able to be used in that environment, who knows what could have happened,” said Peter Bale, chairman of the board for the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International. “Many people don’t know a [drone] was used during the hostage situation in Alabama last week.”

This can lead you to wonder why UAVSI still enjoys federal tax-exempt status.

3.Universities receive millions for research and education.

Our universities receive the drone bottom line. There are over 40 universities nationwide that are receiving grants for drone research. Grant awards to universities usually are around the $1 million mark, although several universities have received much larger DOD awards.

Grant awards are not the only way our universities are raking in funding. In anticipation of increased civilian drone demand, our universities are offering undergraduate degrees in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations. Universities are currently charging anywhere from $8,000 to $60,000 for the undergraduate degrees.

4.The “Drone Caucus” contributes to a biased UAV education.

The House Congressional Unmanned Systems Caucus was established in 2009 with the objective of educating “members of Congress and the public on the … value of unmanned systems; actively support further development and acquisition of more systems …” Members of the caucus also “recognize the urgent need to rapidly develop and deploy more Unmanned Systems … and support policies and budgets that promote a larger, more robust national security unmanned system capability.”

On September 28, 2012, the Senate announced the formation of the Senate Unmanned Aerial Systems Caucus in a press release.

Drone manufacturers have stepped up campaign contributions in their efforts to influence drone legislation. Most of the contributions have been directed at member of the Congressional Unmanned Systems Caucus. Members of the “drone caucus” have readily accepted campaign contributions.

According to a Hearst newspaper investigation, members of the “drone caucus” have received approximately $8 million since 2009.

Government Fast Track “Makes Civilian Drones Happen”

Our federal government is pro-drone. Our president supports drone attacks on American civilians abroad. Drones are our future because not the White House, but Congress, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Homeland Security want unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to support law enforcement.

5.Congress encourages drone use.

For the most part, Congress is pro-drone. Congress spurs the Department of Homeland Security and the FAA to expedite drone implementation. Congressional leaders encourage the Customs and Border Protection (CPB) and the Office of Air and Marine (OAM) to allow law enforcement agencies to have use of DHS drones.

Rep. Henry Cuellar, co-chair of the drone caucus, suggested that the OAM should provide real-time data streams from Predators at a 2010 House Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security hearing.

6.The Department of Justice (DOJ) says drone use is legal.

The Department of Justice not only gives legal reasoning for drone use against American citizens abroad. A federal judge has ruled that the government doesn’t have to disclose the legal justification in drone extrajudicial termination of “suspects” overseas.

The DOJ’s National Institute of Justice collaborates with the drone industry and local law enforcement to facilitate the development and evaluation of cost-effective unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The DOJ established Technology Centers of Excellence (COE) as “the lynchpin … to ensure law enforcement and corrections agencies, crime laboratories and agencies involved in the judicial process get the tools and technologies they need to do their jobs more effectively”.

7.Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funds civilian drones for any reason.

The DHS set up Urban Areas Security Initiatives (UASI) and FEMA to aid communities with counterterrorism efforts. The DHS collaborates with drone manufacturers and law enforcement to introduce UAVs into civilian applications by offering grants, training programs, and centers of excellence. The grant program has helped local law enforcement purchase drones, even when there is little or no mention of terrorism or counterterrorism activities in the grant application.

8.Legislation has civil drones in our skies by September 30, 2015.

Congress passed H.R. 658 on February 6, 2012 and President Obama signed the Federal Aviation Administration Modernization and Reform Act on 14 February 2012 to little fanfare. The act mandates the FAA to complete civil drone integration into U.S. airspace by 2015.

Privacy is a Huge Concern

Most of what we see in the media covers the emerging civilian UAV technology and the good that drones can provide to society. Groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) are concerned that drone surveillances infringes on privacy. Some legislators have noted privacy concerns, but little is being done at the moment.

9.No one worries about privacy.

The September 2012 GAO report on unmanned aircraft systems notes:

“Currently, no federal agency has specific statutory responsibility to regulate privacy matters relating to UAS for the entire federal government” and “with the ability to house high-powered cameras, infrared sensors, facial recognition technology, and license plate readers, some argue that drones present a substantial privacy risk."

In December 2012, the Drone Aircraft Privacy and Transparency Act (DAPTA, H.R. 6676) and the Preserving American Privacy Act were re-introduced.

10.UAV use lack oversight.

Drones are already used by law enforcement without official guidelines as to how the drones can be used. The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) notes that the DHS does not currently keep records on the number of times drones are loaned to local law enforcement. EPIC has petitioned the FAA to develop drone use policies.

11.Our 4th amendment rights are uncertain.

Supreme Court precedent has already been set regarding manned aircraft surveillance. Florida v. Riley found if evidence is gathered from public airspace, 4th amendment protection against unreasonable search and seizure does not apply.

Civilian Drones Aren’t Safe

How safe are UAVs to use in highly populated areas?

There are several issues with drones that don’t make them safe for use over our cities. In the push to move forward, the serious safety concerns aren’t being widely publicized.

12.Drones can’t avoid other low-flying objects.

A September 2012 Congressional Research Service report notes that low altitude drones can’t avoid other low-flying aircraft such as helicopters. Most aircraft have transponders, which “squawk” the aircraft’s flying position. Current transponder technology is too heavy for civilian use drones, and adequate technology is not presently available.

13.Connections between UAVs and the operators are easily broken.

The frequency between the drone and its operator is easily lost. Civilian drones use the same frequencies (GPS) as your cell phone. The frequencies are subject to interference from variables such as weather or deliberate jamming.

14.Drones are easily hacked.

Under the direction of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, engineering students were told to see if they could hack a drone. They did, and were easily able to substitute their information for the drone’s programming via GPS.

Foreign countries, most notably the Chinese, engage in cyber espionage of U.S. companies on a regular basis. Civilian drones currently use unencrypted signals. Malfeasants potentially can hack into a drone, land it, reprogram, and equip it to carry out terrorist attacks on our home soil.

15.FAA regulations contain UAV licensing loopholes.

Checking the number of FAA licenses doesn’t tell you that police departments can fly drones without FAA licensing. Last year, Congress ordered changes to regulations concerning the use of non-military drones. Law enforcement and other agencies can fly drones without FAA licensing if the drone weighs 25 pounds or less.

Evolving Views of Law Enforcement & Courts

Checking the number of FAA licenses doesn’t tell you that police departments can fly drones without FAA licensing. Last year, Congress ordered changes to regulations concerning the use of non-military drones. Law enforcement and other agencies can fly drones without FAA licensing if the drone weighs 25 pounds or less.

Despite all the reassurance, the viewpoints of courts and law enforcement are evolving to where we must consider that non-lethally armed UAVs will be used in our future.

16.Courts have authorized drone assisted arrests.

Northeast Central Judicial Court of North Dakota Judge Joel Medd refused to dismiss charges against Rodney Brossart in August 2012. Local law enforcement called in an Air Force Predator drone to secure Brossart’s arrest for felony cow theft. Mr. Brossart is believed to be the first drone assisted arrest of a US citizen on our soil.

17.Law enforcement’s views have evolved to consider using weaponized UAVs.

Law enforcement currently says that it doesn’t need to arm drones. When the Montgomery County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office took possession of its first Shadow Hawk late in October 2011, there were no plans to have armed drones.

Fast forward to 2012. Chief Deputy Randy McDonald said that his department was contemplating arming its drone with tear gas and rubber bullets:

“Those are things that law enforcement utilizes day in and day out and in certain situations it might be advantageous to have this type of system on the UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle).”

If more Sandy Hooks, Jimmy Lee Dykes and Christopher Dorners happen, non-lethal armed drones could be the future.

For granted, there are many benefits to civilian drones. They can assist with search and rescue operations, fight fires, and spray crops. They can help save lives.

Despite all the advantages, there are many issues of concern associated with drones that are currently being kept out of the mainstream media. Some of the issues are downright frightening, as they affect our constitutional rights. It’s up to us to keep abreast of the issues surrounding the civilian use of drones, and to keep pressure on our federal and state governments to do the right thing when it comes to drone use in law enforcement.