The use of unmanned aerial system by law enforcement has
been a hot button topic over the past few years. The legality of 4th
amendment searches, as well as the ethical questions raised when using UASs
have plagued law enforcement agencies for years. In the below proposal, I will
present a strategy that my help bring the T-Hawk UAS into the front line for Florida
law enforcement.
The UAS I have selected to use in my implementation strategy
is the T-Hawk by Honeywell. The key to this platform is its ease of use,
safety, and ability to fly in multiple weather and environmental conditions. This
particular platform has been used for years by law enforcement because of its
capable electro-optic/ infrared capability (EO/IR). In order to create a successful implementation
strategy, I will look at the following aspects; privacy, ethics, safety, and
lost link capability.
Privacy: The T-Hawk is a gas powered vertical take off
ducted fan style UAS. It is capable of flying up to 10,000 feet and at 46 miles
per hour for up to 50 minutes at a time. The system has a hover and stare
capability that makes it ideal for monitoring and search operations. Due to the
system being gas powered, it is rather loud and noticeable (often called a
flying lawnmower). The fact that this system is loud when it flies is actually
a positive in terms of the debate over privacy. Due to the fact that most
people within visual range of the system can hear it, means that it provides a
similar aspect of privacy as a manned helicopter. For most people, the idea of
the system being able to see you only when you can hear it provides a level of acceptable
privacy, because they are aware of its presence. For some smaller systems that
are battery powered and unable to be heard, people feel like they are being
unfairly violated and unable to avoid surveillance.
Ethics: Along with privacy the idea of the ethical nature of
UASs is still a hot button topic. Florida was the first state to pass the law
that limits UAS use by law enforcement. The “Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act”
went into effect in Florida on July 1, 2013. The root of this act ensures all
UAS surveillance by law enforcement requires a warrant. The only exception is
if someone’s life is at risk or an imminent threat of a terror attack exists. Currently,
as long as law enforcement agencies follow this piece of legislation, there
should be a minimal ethical issue. In the future, as UAS rules change, I feel
that these rules should and will be changed, but as long as the law enforcement
agencies operate under the current federal and state laws, then they will be successful.
Safety: The T-Hawk is a relatively small UAS. The key to
safely employing this system would be based on a three part plan. The first two
steps would include rigorous operator training and aircraft preventative maintenance.
These two aspects are key to all aviation safety, and if done correctly will
ensure the system is flown in the correct airspace, under the right performance
constraints, and free of mechanical defects. The third part would be to only
operate the system at what the FAA determines to be a safe location and
altitude. In the field of UAS, operators should not strive for zero risk, but
should strive to reduce unnecessary risk in all aspects of operations.
Lost Link: Due to the automated nature of the T-Hawk, lost
link is less of an issue than other smaller manually controlled UASs. The
system can be set with a lost link time limit that automatically issue a return
home command. The system can be set to climb to a set return home altitude and
then make its way back and land vertically at the initial launch point. One positive
to this system is its capability of vertical flight. This will prevent the
system from having to make complicated traffic patterns in order to land and
will provide a very predictable lost link flight path. Additionally, to add
another level of safety to lost link operations, a clearly published standard
operating procedure and training will be essential to ensure the system does
what is expected every time.
In conclusion, UAS hardware and software is not the key
aspect to a successful implementation plan. The key is sufficient operator and maintainer
training, publishing of standard procedures, and compliance with local and
national laws. If a law enforcement entity spends the appropriate time and
effort accomplishing those three things, the ethical and moral issues should be
easy to justify and the safety and lost link concerns should be of minimal
concern.
References:
No comments:
Post a Comment