1. Managing the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Threat in US Domestic Seaports
Dr. Kenneth Christopher
National University
La Jolla, CA
ACJS Annual Meeting
Denver, CO
April 1, 2016

2. Introduction
• Development and proliferation of UAVs
• Driven by military applications
• Research and expansion into commercial sectors
• Concerns about threats to commercial aviation
• Regulatory approaches to managing the risks

3. Questions
• What are UAVs?
• How is the technology and industry evolving?
• How is government responding?
• What risks do UAVs pose in the maritime security domain, specifically
within the domestic seaport environment?

4. Defining Terms
• UAV
• UAS
• Types of UAVs
--Target & Decoy
--Reconnaissance
--Combat
--Research & Development
--Civil & Commercial
• Degree of Autonomy

5. Legal and Regulatory Issues
• FAA UAS Registry: > .55 lbs and < 55 lbs.
• > 55 lbs: follow regular FAA Aircraft Registry process
• UAS operate under FAA model aircraft guidelines (1981): cannot be flown
above 400 feet; remain in the operator’s line of sight.
• UAVs cannot be operated within 5 miles of an airport without first
informing the airport’s operating authorities or aircraft control tower
• UAVs are non-military and non-commercial which fly under “recreational”
exceptions to FAA regulations which have limits on altitude and distance
• UAV flights that are non-hobby or non-recreational require FAA
authorization

6. Legal and Regulatory Issues
• FAA has "exclusive sovereignty” of US airspace; authority to prescribe air
traffic regulations
• FAA: There is also a state and local law enforcement role to deter, detect,
investigate, and, pursue enforcement on unauthorized or unsafe UAS
operations
• US DOT evaluates local and state laws or requirements on a case-by-case
basis to deconflict with the FAA's authority
• Executive Order 13688 Federal Support for Local Law Enforcement
Equipment Acquisition—classified UAS as “controlled equipment” placing
limits on transfers of UAS to law enforcement agencies.
• Local efforts to regulate UAS: Miami-Dade County, FL

7. Growth of UAV Industry
• World War 1: Kettering Aerial Torpedo
• Radio control technology enabled pilotless flight in both world wars
• Vietnam era: improvements in altimeter, gyrocompass and guidance
technology
• 1999: 100,000 flight hours flown
• 2015: 1 million+ flight hours by 7,000+ UAS operated by the US DoD
• By 2017: UAV flights at 110 bases in 39 states;
• By 2025: $82 billion in economic benefits and 100,000 new jobs
• UAS market: Driven by cost effective delivery of capability re missions:
intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, stores delivery, cargo transport,
search and rescue, and pilot augmentation

8. Growth of UAV Industry
• Homeland security: UAV coverage along Northern and southern borders
• LEAs projected to purchase increasing numbers of UAS
• Business/commercial growth: agriculture (crop management), moving
cargo, inspecting real estate, film production, journalism.
• Amazon: Wants autonomous UAVs to deliver small packages to customers’
doorsteps
• DIYDrones.com: relatively easy to obtain information and resources to
build, equip, and procure UAVs and component systems.
• Remote controlled planes, multicopters (quadcopter/hexacopter/tricopter,
etc.) or helicopters can be purchased ready to fly or components, including
autopilot systems

9. UAV Risks
• Operational risks = accidents, injuries, and potential lawsuits
• Since 2001, 400+ major crashes of large military UAVs; mechanical
breakdown, human error, bad weather
• 237 military drone ‘Class A’ mishaps: aircraft destroyed or caused $2
million in damage (25% in the US)
• No current infrastructure to safely manage UAVs in low-altitude
airspace

10. UAVs in the Maritime Security Domain

11. UAVs in the Maritime Security Domain
Risks from UAVs:
• Interference with port operations
• Unauthorized commercial activities
• Unwanted surveillance, photography and reconnaissance
• Potential for weaponizing and serving as a platform for weapons
deployment
Recent Case: Jan 2016 Iranian UAV and French/US warships

12. UAVs in the Maritime Security Domain
US Navy:
• Laser Weapon System (LaWS) Program--Lasers track, engage and
destroy UAVs that pose a threat to naval assets in the “over-the-
water” combat maritime environment
• Broad area maritime surveillance unmanned aircraft system: multi-
mission maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
DHS:
• UAVs for monitoring land borders, support FEMA missions, joint
missions w/ CBP in Florida (illegal immigration, smuggling)

13. UAVs in the Maritime Security Domain
Dubai Port Company is using UAVs for port security at the ports of Khalifa,
Zayed, the Free Port, and the New Free Port. The UAVs use cameras for
monitoring, viewing and managing incidents, and search and rescue
situation
In the US: Port Security Grant Program:
• Funds support increased port-wide risk management, enhanced domain
awareness, training and exercises to prevent, detect, respond to, and
recover from attacks
• Funding restrictions to ports applying for federal grants for developing UAS
for port security (EO 13688)

14. Conclusions
• Laws and regulations addressing UAS in the US are in a state of flux.
• The FAA is the major government agency responsible for regulating UAS operations.
• State and local governments have response, investigative and enforcement roles
associated with UAV threats to public safety and security.
• UAS technology and development will continue to advance, improving the cost
effectiveness capabilities associated with various missions.
• Commercial and business use of UAS technology will grow.
• Recreational and hobbyist use of UAS will grow.
• In the maritime security domain, enforcement assets (military and public law
enforcement) will continue to take advantage of UAS technology to protect assets in the
maritime security domain.
• US port facilities will need to factor in the risks from unauthorized use of UAS in their
target environments to develop specific facility security plans to mitigate the risks from
UAS.

15. Further Research
• Analysis of local and state laws and regulations addressing the use of
UAS in jurisdictions.
• Analysis of domestic port operators’ identification of potential UAS
risks and mitigation activities.

16. References
ADPC takes to the skies in drone security measure. (2014, June 3). Port Technology. Accessed March 25, 2016 at
https://www.porttechnology.org/news/adpc_takes_to_the_skies_in_drone_security_measure
Aerospace Industries Association. (2015). Unmanned aircraft systems: Perceptions and Potential. Aerospace Industries Association: Arlington, VA.
Accessed February 2, 2016 at http://www.aia-aerospace.org/assets/AIA_UAS_Report_small.pdf
Chow, E., Cuadra, A. & Whitlock, C. (2016). Hazard above: Drone crash database. Washington Post updated Jan. 19, 2016, originally published June 20,
2014. Accessed March 24, 2016 at https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/national/drone-crashes/database/
DIYDrones. (2009). A newbie's guide to UAVs. Accessed March 25, 2016 at http://diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/a-newbies-guide-to-uavs
Executive Order No. 13688. (2015, Jan 16). Federal Support for Local Law Enforcement Equipment Acquisition. The White House. Accessed March 28,
2016 at https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/DCPD-201500033/pdf/DCPD-201500033.pdf
FAA. (1981). Advisory circular 91-57: Model aircraft operating standards. U.S. Department of Transportation. Accessed March 31, 2016 at
https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/91-57.pdf
FAA. (2015a). Unmanned aircraft systems: Law enforcement resources. Accessed March 24, 2016 at https://www.faa.gov/uas/law_enforcement/
FAA. (2015b). Unmanned aircraft systems: Key initiatives: Center of excellence. Accessed March 24, 2016 at
https://www.faa.gov/uas/legislative_programs/
FAA. (2016a). Unmanned aircraft systems: Unmanned aircraft systems: Frequently asked questions. Accessed March 24, 2016 at
https://www.faa.gov/uas/faq/#qn1
FAA. (2016b). Unmanned aircraft systems: Model aircraft operations. Accessed March 24, 2016 at https://www.faa.gov/uas/model_aircraft/
FAA. (2016c). Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Registration. Accessed March 24, 2016 at
https://www.faa.gov/uas/registration/

17. References
Law Enforcement Equipment Working Group. (2015). Recommendations Pursuant to EXECUTIVE ORDER 13688 Federal Support for Local Law Enforcement Equipment Acquisition. Accessed March 25,
2015 at https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/le_equipment_wg_final_report_final.pdf
Miami-Dade County. (2015). Miami-Dade Legislative Item File Number: 152387: Resolution R-1017-15: RESOLUTION URGING THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION TO PROHIBIT THE OPERATION
OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS. Accessed March 24, 2016 at http://www.miamidade.gov/govaction/matter.asp?matter=152387&file=true&yearFolder=Y2015
Moore, J. (2016). Drone Designed to Save Lives. Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Accessed March 24, 2916 at http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2016/March/17/Drone-designed-
to-save-lives
Mrazik, A. (2015, November 12). The Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) How to Streamline your application Process. Presentation to the Port Security Operations Conference and Exposition, Los
Angeles/Long Beach, CA, November 11-12, 2015 produced by the MacDonnell Group, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
NASA. (2015). Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Traffic Management (UTM): Enabling Civilian Low-Altitude Airspace and Unmanned Aircraft System Operations. NASA UTM. Accessed March 24, 2016 at
http://utm.arc.nasa.gov/index.shtml
Naval-Technology.com. (2012). Northrop receives flight hardware for BAMS UAS programme. Accessed March 24, 2016 at http://www.naval-technology.com/news/newsnorthrop-receives-flight-
hardware-for-bams-uas-programme
Purvis, C. (2011, August 17). DIY Drones Will Be The Next Threat to Port Security. ASIS Online, Security Management: National Security. Accessed March 25, 2016 at https://sm.asisonline.org/Pages/diy-
drones-will-be-next-threat-port-security-008903.aspx
Rubicon Planning. (2011). Military terms and definitions. Accessed February 2, 2016 at http://www.militaryterms.net/u
Starr, B. (2016, Jan 29). Iranian surveillance drone flies over U.S. aircraft carrier in Persian Gulf. CNN. Accessed January 29, 2016 at http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/29/politics/iran-drone-uss-harry-
truman/index.html
Naval Sea Systems Command Public Affairs. (2010, May 29). Navy Laser Destroys Unmanned Aerial Vehicle in a Maritime Environment. Story Number: NNS100529-09. Accessed February 2, 2016 at
http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=53705
TheUAV.com. (2016). UAV Types. Accessed March 24, 2016 at http://www.theuav.com/

18. References
US Department of Homeland Security. 2015). Securing and Managing Our Borders. Accessed March 24, 2016 at https://www.dhs.gov/securing-and-managing-our-borders
US Department of Transportation. (2013). Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Service Demand 2015 – 2035: Literature Review & Projections of Future Usage. Research and Innovative Technology
Administration Technical Report, Version 0.1 — September 2013 DOT-VNTSC-DoD-13-01. Accessed March 24, 2016 at http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/48000/48200/48226/UAS_Service_Demand.pdf
Wagner, M. (2015). Unmanned aerial vehicles. Max Planck Encyclopedia of Public International Law, Rüdiger Wolfrum, ed., Oxford University Press, Forthcoming University of Miami Legal Studies
Research Paper No. 15-12. Accessed February 2, 2016 at http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2584652
Whitlock, C. (2014, June 20). When Drones Fall From the Sky. Washington Post. Accessed March 24, 2016 at http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/investigative/2014/06/20/when-drones-fall-from-the-
sky/

19. Kenneth Christopher, D.P.A., C.P.P., Associate Professor
Homeland Security and Emergency Management
School of Professional Studies
National University, La Jolla CA
E: kchristopher@nu.edu
P: 858-642-8624