Wednesday, October 13, 2010
[IWS] CRS: Homeland Security: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Border Surveillance [8 July 2010]
IWS Documented News Service
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Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
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Congressional Research Service (CRS)
Homeland Security: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Border Surveillance
Chad C. Haddal, Specialist in Immigration Policy
Jeremiah Gertler, Specialist in Military Aviation
July 8, 2010
http://opencrs.com/document/RS21698/2010-07-08/download/1013/
[full-text, 10 pages]
Summary
Congress has expressed a great deal of interest in using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to
surveil the United States’ international land border. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
utilizes advanced technology to augment its USBP agents’ ability to patrol the border, including a
fleet of six UAVs. This report examines the strengths and limitations of deploying UAVs along
the borders and related issues for Congress.
UAVs come with several costs and benefits. One potential benefit of UAVs is that they could fill a
gap in current border surveillance by improving coverage along remote sections of the U.S.
borders. Moreover, the range of UAVs is a significant asset when compared to border agents on
patrol or stationary surveillance equipment. Yet, despite potential benefits of using UAVs for
homeland security, various problems encountered in the past may hinder UAV implementation on
the border. There are concerns regarding the high accident rates of UAVs, which have historically
been multiple times higher than that of manned aircraft. Inclement weather conditions can also
impinge on a UAV’s surveillance capability. Also, according to the CBP Inspector General, the
costs of operating a UAV are more than double the costs of operating a manned aircraft.
Recent attention has focused on the expanding area of operations for CBP-operated UAVs. On
June 23, 2010, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted a certificate of authorization
requested by CBP, clearing the UAV flights along the Texas border and Gulf region. Other
requests have reportedly been delayed due to safety concerns, some of which stem from previous
incidents. Despite safety concerns, some policymakers continue to call for the increased domestic
use of UAVs. The Supplemental Appropriations Bill of FY2010 (H.R. 4899) would include $32
million for the acquisition of two additional UAVs by CBP.
This report will be updated as events warrant.
Contents
Background ...............................................................................................................................1
Congressional Mandates for the Use of UAVs .............................................................................2
Benefits and Limitations of UAVs ...............................................................................................3
Benefits ...............................................................................................................................3
Limitations...........................................................................................................................4
Other Concerns .....................................................................................................................5
Issues for Congress .....................................................................................................................5
Costs vs. Benefits..................................................................................................................5
UAV Effectiveness ................................................................................................................6
Lack of Information ..............................................................................................................6
Coordination with USBP Agents ...........................................................................................6
Safety Concerns ....................................................................................................................6
Implementation Schedule ......................................................................................................7
Contacts
Author Contact Information ........................................................................................................7
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This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.
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Stuart Basefsky
Director, IWS News Bureau
Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell/ILR School
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Telephone: (607) 255-2703
Fax: (607) 255-9641
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu
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