Unmanned Aircraft are definitely a transformative
technology. They open up the lowest parts of the airspace to
productive use. At the same time, they also create new
problems for privacy and security. As a result, interest in
"drone defense" technology has been skyrocketing.
It seems that there is a new innovative defensive system unveiled
by entrepreneurs on a weekly basis. A new letter form the
Office of Airports Safety and Standards, however, indicates that
the FAA would like to slow down and coordinate this new
technological stampede.
Earlier this week, the FAA's Office of Airports Safety and
Standards sent an open letter to all airport sponsors officially
clamping down on independent testing of defensive systems.
The FAA notes in the letter that, while the Congress instructed the
FAA to establish a pilot program to mitigate airspace hazards at
airports and other critical infrastructure, that will be done
through a Cooperative Research and Development
