House lawmakers have called on the Federal Aviation Administration to implement measures to help mitigate security risks from unmanned aircraft systems, FCW reported Wednesday.
Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Oregon) said at a Wednesday hearing of the House Transportation Committee’s aviation subcommittee that UAS platforms should be installed with remote detection and identification systems.
Earl Lawrence, executive director of FAA’s UASÂ integration office, told subcommittee members that the agency aims to move forward with its rulemaking activity related to the integration of drones into national airspace.
FAA Deputy Administrator Daniel Elwell said remote identification and tracking will be a key component of full UAS integration.
The hearing took place after the agency released findings of a study which showed that small UASÂ could inflict more damage on manned aircraft than birds of the same weight.
Some UAS industry representatives also attended the meeting and urged House lawmakers to address drone flight restrictions they believe harms commercial innovation, The Hill reported.
FAA currently restricts UASÂ flights over people, during nighttime and beyond the visual line of sight, but operators may apply for waivers from the limitations.
