The Evolving Landscape of Drones in The United States: Are We Ready for 7500 Unmanned Aircraft?

Recent discussions about the inclusion of 7500 drones or unmanned aircraft (UAS) in the U.S. skies have evoked a mix of excitement and concern. Currently, there are approximately 160,000 manned aircraft pilots in the United States, highlighting the stark contrast between the traditional aviation industry and the emerging drone sector. With millions of drones already in the air, it's important to consider their potential implications, both current and future.

Current Drone Usage in the U.S.

In reality, thousands of drones are already flying daily in the United States. These range from small recreational drones to large, advanced drones used in various applications. Far from the 7500 drones being discussed, there are already a significant number of drones employed for firefighting, crop dusting, and other commercial uses. As the technology improves and becomes more accessible, the range of drone applications will only grow.

Potential Applications of Large UAS

The mention of 7500 drones often refers to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) capable of Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations and large payloads. These are the advanced drones capable of flying hundreds or thousands of miles. For instance, the military's Predator and Reaper drones are notable examples. While there's no issue with the implementation of these advanced drones, it's important to recognize that they come with their own set of challenges, including safety, privacy, and regulatory hurdles.

Emerging Concerns and Challenges

As more UAVs join the skies, several concerns and challenges emerge:

Mid-air Collisions: The risk of mid-air collisions between manned aircraft and drones is a legitimate concern. These incidents could have severe consequences, both for air traffic safety and property damage. Lawsuits: There's also the potential for lawsuits due to accidents involving drones. These can range from property damage to privacy violations and personal injuries. Shooting Down Drones: There's a growing concern over individuals shooting down expensive drones, posing a threat to both the unmanned aircraft themselves and public safety. Privacy Violations: Drones are often used for surveillance and recording, leading to privacy concerns, especially as these devices become more affordable and user-friendly. Regulatory Issues: The lack of clear regulations for drone operations, especially for advanced UAVs, poses a significant challenge. Currently, there are laws and guidelines for recreational and commercial drones, but the expansion to large-scale, BVLOS operations requires a more comprehensive framework.

Current Uses of Drones

The video highlights potential civilian applications like firefighting and crop dusting. For firefighting, an average of half a dozen drones per state could be beneficial, leading to a total of about 300 drones. Crop dusting is a private sector responsibility, and while the concept of thousands of drones is intriguing, it's highly unlikely that companies would invest in this scale of drone operations due to financial constraints.

Future Implications

Considering the potential 7500 drones, one must ask: What are they going to be doing? If 300 drones are allocated for firefighting, and another small number for crop dusting, the remaining drones raise questions about their purpose. It's not clear why hiring someone to operate a drone from a remote location would be preferable to having a human on-site for decision-making. Furthermore, the use of drones for surveillance and security purposes is likely to face significant opposition from the public and policymakers.

Conclusion

The integration of 7500 drones or unmanned aircraft in the U.S. skies is a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted approach. While the technology offers many benefits, including improved safety and efficiency, there are also significant challenges that need to be addressed. As the drone industry continues to evolve, it's crucial to have a robust regulatory framework in place to ensure that the benefits outweigh the risks.