The demand for miniature drones, or sUAS (small Unmanned Aerial Systems), continues to grow as everyone from the U.S. military to law enforcement and private businesses seeks to use the latest technological advancements to aid their operations — and CAP is no exception.Currently, 14 wings and 25 units are involved in field testing and training, with an eye toward establishing a full-fledged program in 2018.
Desmarais said Civil Air Patrol’s goal is to at least have sUAS operational capability in every wing by 2020, adding he would not be surprised if CAP were to push to get at least one per incident command post, or more, down the line.
I thought they were not allowed for gov't and/or military use?
Quote from: etodd on April 06, 2018, 06:51:46 PMI thought they were not allowed for gov't and/or military use?Assuming that was the case, why would that affect CAP?
Quote from: Eclipse on April 06, 2018, 07:06:59 PMQuote from: etodd on April 06, 2018, 06:51:46 PMI thought they were not allowed for gov't and/or military use?Assuming that was the case, why would that affect CAP?Seems I remember an old thread here where "some folks" were going all OPSEC, saying CAP shouldn't use them since the AF doesn't.Looks like that thinking didn't make it far. (Sitting here with a Part 107 ready and able. Have all the gear as well, but assume that will not be allowed , just as personal cameras are not for AP)
The point was that CAP is neither government nor military when using UAVs for AE exploration or internal pilot programs. Any mission work is a different story, and may well depending on whether it's an AFAM or corporate mission and who the customer is.
Incredible potential .... Aside from homeland security operations, sUAS have the potential for use in post-disaster response missions, rescue efforts, damage assessment and general aerial reconnaissance.
Also, you're probably referring to the Army "ban" on using DJI devices because of possible vulnerabilities injected by foreign manufactures, which NOAA later found to be incorrect. There doesn't appear to be any blanket prohibition on gov or mil use of DJI products, and even if the Army doesn't like them, that has nothing to do with CAP.
I had not heard the new NOAA information. Thanks. Glad to know.