Drone technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, raising urgent concerns about the nation’s ability to secure its airspace. During a U.S. House Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing, experts warned that the current regulatory framework is inadequate to address the growing threat of unauthorized drone activity. Tom Walker, CEO of DroneUp, testified that over half of all near-misses involving commercial and general aviation are now with drones, indicating a severe lapse in air safety. Walker, who collaborates with the FAA, DOT, DOD, and DHS, stressed the need for a comprehensive nationalized system to track every drone, pilot, and mission in real-time.
Walker highlighted the critical gap in the federal government’s ability to monitor and control the use of drones, noting that there is currently no centralized database to identify drones and their operators within the country. This lack of oversight has created significant security vulnerabilities, particularly around critical infrastructure, military installations, and borders. While the FAA and other agencies have implemented Remote ID technology to better track drones, Walker argues that these measures can be easily circumvented, leaving the airspace vulnerable to misuse.
Recent incidents have underscored the potential dangers of unregulated drone activity. A California man recently pleaded guilty to federal charges after his drone collided with a firefighting aircraft during the Palisades Fire, grounding it for several days. Similarly, a drone struck a helicopter involved in search and rescue efforts in the Texas floods, forcing it to land and disrupting critical emergency services. These events have prompted calls for immediate action, as officials admit that many of these incidents were preventable with the right systems in place.
Walker also raised concerns about the misuse of drones in smuggling operations, particularly at the U.S. southern border, where cartels are using them to transport drugs, weapons, and explosives into prisons. He pointed to the rising threat of drones being used in kinetic attacks, not just by cartels but also in potential attacks on American citizens or law enforcement. While the TSA and border authorities have taken steps to intercept illegal drone activity, Walker emphasizes that current policies are not sufficient to address the evolving nature of these threats.
Looking to the future, Walker suggests a phased implementation of a nationwide drone monitoring system, focusing first on high-risk areas such as prisons and critical infrastructure. He advocates for collaboration between UAS experts and government authorities to develop long-term regulations that protect both national security and public interests. Walker also emphasized the need for better coordination between agencies to prevent the airspace from becoming a battleground for security threats. This ongoing push for stronger drone regulations underscores the growing importance of integrating unmanned aircraft into the broader security and transportation landscape.