Unmanned Aircraft Used to Increase Security As Inauguration Day Nears

The US Secret Service is overriding Federal Aviation Regulations in order to use drones around DC this month. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are serving as an additional security measure with inauguration day chaos rapidly closing in.

Though inauguration day is likely the team’s primary concern, there are three National Special Security Events happening in the month of January. The first was the certification of presidential election results on January 6. The second, former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral, occurred on January 9 and was visited by current and former Presidents, Vice Presidents, First Ladies, and other officials.

Both of these lead up to President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, which will surely be safeguarded by much more than just drones.

US Secret Service spokesperson Nate Herring confirmed that UAVs have played a major role in the “security plans for this month’s National Special Security Events and the public may see these assets operating both before and during these events.”

“The Secret Service and our local, state and federal partners employ a multitude of seen and unseen security measures operating in tandem to ensure comprehensive and seamless security plans,” Herring continued. “To maintain operational security, we are unable to provide additional details.”

Operating drones over the capital is typically prohibited by the Federal Aviation Administration. The agency has enforced a Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) that spans 30 miles in all directions from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). All unmanned flights within a 15-mile radius are banned without specific authorization.

This rule has been in place ever since a drone crash-landed near the White House’s south lawn in 2015. While the incident was chalked up to the operator merely losing control of his device, it sparked concern over how easily explosives could be strapped to a UAV and flown into government facilities.

FMI: www.faa.gov/uas/resources/community_engagement/no_drone_zone/dc