The American Security Drone Act of 2023
How will this affect Drone use on the US ARF Vessels?
The American Security Drone Act of 2023 is part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2024. The Act prohibits federal procurement and operation of drones manufactured in "covered foreign entities". This includes drones manufactured by DJI, which are a very popular, inexpensive systems often used within the U.S. ARF. An NSF presentation on the American Security Drone Act of 2023 can be found here.
Why this law? Drones from "covered entities" pose a security risk because their software allows data to be sent back to the manufacturer. Operators cannot control this data flow, as it is integrated into the drone's operating system.
If you or any members of your scientific team intend to use drones during science cruises, please address this early in your pre-cruise planning discussions. Consider operating a drone from the Blue UAS Cleared List which are not restricted. More information on the Act can be found here.