As Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) assume an ever larger commercial and national defense role in this country, Washington policymakers have sought to regulate UAS with the goal of integrating them into the national airspace. Improvements in UAS technology have enabled a multitude of industries to do a wider variety of tasks on a cost effective basis. Lawmakers are rushing to catch up with these rapid changes in technology by directing federal agencies to accelerate the integration of UAS into the national airspace.
The many challenges and opportunities presented by UAS have compelled the federal government to begin laying the groundwork for rules governing their operation. These rules must balance the need for safety, respect for privacy, and the massive potential of UAS to enable their deployment by those industries that stand to gain from their use.
Our team offers its clients ways to engage on these issues directly with Congress, the White House, the Department of Commerce, and other independent Federal agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration and the Federal Communications Commission. All are important government touch-points on any policy issue impacting the operation of UAS for commercial and research purposes.