We applaud the U.S. House of Representatives for taking such strong action. They’re addressing the growing threat posed by rogue drones around world-class sporting events. In a recent vote, lawmakers went further to propose impeachment safeguards. These measures would improve law enforcement officials’ capacity to disable or destroy unmanned aircraft. This effort comes in the wake of many events. The most memorable of these was the wild card match up between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers that was briefly suspended at M&T Bank Stadium due to a drone incursion.
The NFL, NCAA, MLB, and NASCAR are all firmly aligned behind this legislative proposal. They point to the very real example of law enforcement being in dire need of more powerful drone-mitigation capabilities. Currently, federal law enforcement presence is limited to only a few major events, such as the Super Bowl and the World Cup final, where they can actively disable unauthorized drones. The United States is preparing to host the FIFA World Cup next summer. Coincidentally, the country will be celebrating its own 250th birthday at that time, spurring officials to more aggressively pursue expanded powers.
Imagine active denial technology to zap drones out of the sky, or net guns as pictured above. You can request that the operator land the drone. Or disrupt its radio frequency, snag it with a net, ram it with another drone, or simply shoot it down.
“For several years, the NCAA has expressed concern for the threat that unauthorized drones pose at NCAA championships and college sporting events,” – Tim Buckley
Robbins’ considerations emphasize that going hard isn’t required in every context. In many cases, open lines of communication with the operators can result in a quiet compromise. The growing use of drones at public gatherings poses serious public safety and national security threats.
To that end, Senate Majority Leader John Thune highlighted robust airspace security as a priority. This is particularly important because as the country gears up for big marquee events.
“As our nation prepares to host the FIFA World Cup and the Summer Olympics, robust airspace security will help mitigate credible threats and keep Americans and global visitors safe as they enjoy these world-class sporting events,” – John Thune
A separate White House official said the government needs more tools and authorities to take on emerging drone threats. First, they understand that the U.S. will host many wonderful big events in the next three years.
“Over the next three years, the United States will host numerous major events that necessitated the expansion of these authorities to combat the emerging drone threats,” – a White House official
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