A bill to require the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security to complete a threat assessment regarding unmanned aircraft systems at or near the international borders of the United States, and for other purposes.
The Border Drone Threat Assessment Act would require the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security to complete a formal threat assessment of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operating at or near the United States’ international borders (defined as within 100 air miles of a border). The assessment must be produced within one year and involve consultation with USNORTHCOM, the Director of National Intelligence, the Administrator of the FAA, the DHS Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, and other intelligence community leaders. It must cover who the malign actors are, how threats are identified and countered, data collected by UAS operators near the borders, tactics used by malign actors, privacy protections, and the federal authorities and capabilities needed to counter UAS and achieve “air domain awareness” near borders. After completing the assessment, the Under Secretary would prepare a report to Congress within 180 days, outlining threats, current authorities and procedures, and whether new or additional authorities or resources are needed. A briefing to Congress would follow within 90 days of the report. The bill aims to improve border security regarding UAS, clarify authorities, and assess whether current capabilities are sufficient to detect, identify, and counter UAS threats along the borders.
Key Points
- 1Establishes a border UAS threat assessment to be completed within one year by the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, in coordination with USNORTHCOM, the Director of National Intelligence, the FAA Administrator, and the DHS Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis.
- 2The assessment must cover eight elements, including: who malign actors are, how threats are identified, data collected by UAS near borders, tactics and how UAS are acquired/weaponized, privacy protections, U.S. counter-UAS capabilities, air domain awareness sufficiency, and current authorities to counter UAS along the borders.
- 3Defines the relevant terms (including “at or near the international borders,” set as within 100 miles; “air domain awareness”; and “malign actor”) and identifies the key agencies involved (DoD, DHS, FAA, intelligence community).
- 4Requires a detailed, unclassified report to Congress within 180 days after the threat assessment is completed, with a possible classified annex, and a briefing to the appropriate congressional committees within 90 days of the report.
- 5The report must assess whether current authorities and resources are adequate and whether changes or new authorities are needed to achieve complete air domain awareness and to counter UAS threats at the borders.