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Domestic Drone Information Center

NACDL's Domestic Drone Information Center aims to be a one-stop source of cutting-edge information on the proliferation of drones inside the United States. It collects news from leading publications across the nation; features a comprehensive listing of legislative developments; and contains sections devoted to relevant case law, government documents, scholarship, upcoming events, and data on drone usage. The Domestic Drone Information Center also aggregates existing material from other websites, making it a launching pad to additional information about domestic drones on the web.

As domestic drones become an issue of increasing concern – the FAA predicts that 30,000 drones will be deployed within 20 years – we hope that you find this material useful. Please contact us at drones@nacdl.org if you are aware of important drone information that we have not yet added. This project is supported by the Foundation for Criminal Justice and the Open Society Foundation.

Legislation & Bill Map
  • The Bill Map features links to legislation at the federal level, in each of the states, and in select municipalities.
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Draft Legislation: NACDL's draft legislation to protect individual privacy against unwarranted governmental intrusion through the use of drones is available here.

News: To find recent stories about Domestic Drones, visit News of Interest and select "Domestic Drone Information Center" from the filter options on the left column.

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Supported by NFCJ

The NACDL Foundation for Criminal Justice preserves and promotes the core values of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the American criminal justice system.

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Podcast Overview of the Domestic Drone Information Center

Government Documents (Including FOIA Requests) 

More Government Documents

Other Data 

  • Autonomy Research for Civil Aviation: Toward a New Era of Flight - The National Academies Press This report develops a set of integrated and comprehensive technical goals and objectives of importance to the civil aeronautics community and the nation. Autonomy Research for Civil Aviation will be of interest to U.S. research organizations, industry, and academia who have a role in meeting these goals.

  • Emerging Applications for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Across Global Government and Commercial Sectors - Research and Markets The significant potential and benefits of UAS have led to increasing implementation since the mid-1980s. Through the years, these platforms have proven successful on numerous missions, leading to growing popularity. UAS now has a significant role for numerous military units worldwide. A decrease in military expenditure has, however, nudged UAS manufacturers to look towards commercial markets. The shift from military implementation has and will be gradual. Government and law enforcement have begun the shift, pressuring regulatory bodies to finalise interim legislation. This will facilitate the commercialisation of the UAS and application thereof to fields such as precision agriculture and journalism.

  • New America - World of Drones This In-Depth report from the International Security Program examines the proliferation, development, and use of armed drones. The World of Drones database draws upon media reports and other open source information to track which countries and non-state actors have armed drones or are in the process of developing them; which actors have used armed drones in combat; and which non-state actors are artificially equipping over-the-counter drones with improvised explosives like ISIS, or have obtained military-grade UAVs like Hezbollah.

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Scholarship

Events

The Domestic Drone Revolution: Risks and Rewards in Perspective

  • Date & Time: September 27, 2016, 10:00am - 12:15pm
  • Location: Hayek Auditorium
  • Host: Cato Insitute 

Event Description:  Multiple panel discussions exploring arming drones, persistent aerial surveillance, and the economic promise of drones.

 

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Drone Regulation: For the Birds? Seeking a Better Approach to U.S. Drone Policy

Event Description:  Panel discussion of crucial questions on drone regulation.

 

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Commercial Applications and Public Policy Implications

Event Description:  Hearing on “Unmanned Aerial Vehicles"

 

U.S. Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Integration, Oversight, and Competitiveness

Event Description:  Hearing on “U.S. Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Integration, Oversight, and Competitiveness"

 

Subcommittee on Aviation Hearing on 'The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012: Two Years Later'

Event Description: The Subcommittee on Aviation will meet on Wednesday, February 5, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building to receive testimony from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (DOT IG ), and Government Accountability Office (GAO) . The Subcommittee will hear from the witnesses regarding the progress the FAA has made in implementing provisions in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Reform Act ) 1 in the last two years.

 

U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Hearing: The Future of Unmanned Aviation in the U.S. Economy: Safety and Privacy Considerations

Event Description: The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a hearing on Wednesday, January 15, 2014, at 2:30 p.m. to examine the growth of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), commonly referred to as “drones”, in the United States, including the potential economic benefits of drone operations, and the progress of steps taken to facilitate the development of the industry through the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-95). The hearing will include consideration of safety and privacy issues surrounding the operation of drones in the United States.