Government

Texas Lawmaker: Drones Will ‘Dominate the Skies in the U.S.’ by 2015

Texas Rep. Michael McCaul: Drones Will Dominate the Skies in the U.S. by 2015

(File photo)

On Thursday, the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations and Management held a hearing to discuss the ever increasing use of unmanned drones here in the United States, which not only poses a threat to the right to privacy of every American but may also represent a legitimate national security threat.

Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said that no government agency is addressing the “full implications” of the widespread use of drones domestically and warned that they will “dominate the skies” by 2015.

“We are now on the edge of a new horizon: using unmanned aerial systems within the homeland,” McCaul said. “Currently, there are about 200 active Certificates of Authorization issued by the Federal Aviation Administration to over 100 different entities, such as law enforcement departments and academic institutions, to fly drones domestically. This map shows the location of COA recipients as of April 2012. The number of recipients since that time has increased.”

This is the map McCaul was referring to:

Texas Rep. Michael McCaul: Drones Will Dominate the Skies in the U.S. by 2015

(Source: YouTube)

You can watch McCaul deliver his statements at the hearing, below.

According to McCaul, the FAA plans to select six test sites around the country for the use of non-government drones this year and will allow the deployment of non-government drones nationwide by 2015.

“While the FAA is responsible for ensuring these systems fly safely in U.S. airspace, with only two and a half short years until drones begin to dominate the skies in the U.S. homeland, no federal agency is taking the lead to deal with the full implications of using unmanned aerial systems and developing the relevant policies and guidelines for their use,” he explained.

“This is despite the fact that four years ago the Government Accountability Office recommended the Secretary of Homeland Security direct the TSA Administrator to examine the security implications of future, non-military UAS operations in the national airspace system and take any actions deemed appropriate.”

In addition to the overwhelming invasion of privacy that overhead drones would cause in America, McCaul also expressed concerns that drones may pose a national security threat. He said in 2004, the TSA issued an advisory that revealed terrorists were perhaps interested in using unmanned aerial systems as weapons.

“The advisory noted the potential for UASs to carry explosives or disperse chemical or biological weapons. It discussed how the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia, or FARC, and Hezbollah were interested in acquiring UASs,” he said.

Texas Rep. Michael McCaul: Drones Will Dominate the Skies in the U.S. by 2015

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

McCaul added his concerns were “validated” last week when a Massachusetts man plead guilty to attempting to destroy federal buildings using multiple remote controlled aircrafts rigged with explosives to attack the U.S. Capitol and the Pentagon.  Rezwan Ferdaus, 26 was arrested in September, 2011 after an undercover FBI sting.

Further, a study by the University of Texas at Austin revealed that drones can be hacked and hijacked with relative ease.

“Specifically, researchers from the Cockrell School of Engineering led by Dr. Todd Humphreys proved that civilian unmanned aerial systems can be hacked into and hijacked with a relatively small investment of money and time,” said McCaul. “These findings are alarming and have revealed a gaping hole in the security of using unmanned aerial systems domestically. ”

He called DHS’s lack of attention to the issue “incomprehensible” and said it shouldn’t take another 9/11 style attack to get the agency to figure out how the expansive use of drones in America will impact our national security.

“The Department of Homeland Security mission is to protect the homeland. Unfortunately, DHS seems either disinterested or unprepared to step up to the plate to address the proliferation of Unmanned Aerial Systems in U.S. air space, the potential threats they pose to our national security, and the concerns of our citizens of how drones flying over our cities will be used including protecting civil liberties of individuals under the Constitution,” McCaul said.

He went on: “For example, indiscussions with my Subcommittee staff prior to this hearing, Department officials repeatedly stated the Department does not see this function (domestic use of drones) as part of their mission and has no role in domestic unmanned aerial systems. I strongly disagree.”

DHS officials declined to testify at the hearing. McCaul issued a straight forward challenge to the agency and other bureaucrats in Washington who are seemingly unwilling to consider the implications before dispatching drones all across America’s skies.

“I hope that our witnesses’ testimony will be a call to action for the Department,” he added.

(h/t: Fox Nation)

Comments (67)

1 2
  • Bruce P.
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 10:13pm

    I have a feeling if Romney is elected, many people here, including Blaze editors, will suddenly stop caring so much about drones.

    Report Post » Bruce P.  
    • rickc34
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 10:33pm

      Some of you may have read the Left Behind Series based on the days after the Rapture (I know the word rapture is not in the bible but it describes the event) How will they (the goverment) track pockets of so called outlaws, I suppose these drones would make really good trackers with their heat vision and silent running to find those that are left behind but refuse to submit to the new world order , you can run but you can’t hide. The goverment is controlling the food, money, medicine, tv, internet and monitoring phone lines.And now watching you from above. Funny how it is all working out.

      Report Post »  
    • Brother Winston Smith
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 10:36pm

      Actually, Bruce P, Romney will NEVER get elected… BY DESIGN. His candidacy is DESIGNED to get cheat-NOMINATED… then throw the fight for Obama, same as McCain in 08. EFFORTS WILL BE CRANKED UP TO HIGH to cheat Ron Paul at Tampa. If they succeed and progressive Romney is cheat-nominated… the “conservatives” will then just coast into an ultimate election loss… and do their best to ACT like they’re fit to be tied! Then… gear up for THE SAME SCAM IN 2016. Palin maybe?

      Report Post » Brother Winston Smith  
    • justangry
      Posted on July 20, 2012 at 12:23am

      @Bruce, Many here don’t care now. There‘s only one group on here that cares enough to stand up and say that’s enough, and we aren‘t voting for media’s chosen ones.

      Report Post » justangry  
    • BryanB
      Posted on July 20, 2012 at 1:28am

      The only thing I can say about these “Drone” aircraft is, when one of them accidentally crashes into a building or takes out a passenger airliner and kills a a few hundred of innocent people, then and only then, will the government stop them from flying.

      The other scenario is, people start shooting them down, and costing local and state governments, millions of dollars to replace them. And just as a cost saving measure they stop flying “Drones” around…………

      Report Post » BryanB  
    • poorrichard09
      Posted on July 20, 2012 at 8:36am

      I think you’re wrong. This drone thing is big brother on steroids.

      Report Post »  
    • black9897
      Posted on July 20, 2012 at 9:42am

      So when Marty MCfly gets here in 2015 instead of dodging flying cars he‘ll be dodging drones all over our sky’s! Welcome to 2015, if you could please keep all free speech to yourself and hand over all liberty’s and do what we tell you, I’m sure your stay will be wonderful. Remember, it’s for your own safety. Have a nice day.

      Report Post » black9897  
  • Brother Winston Smith
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 9:53pm

    Had enough?

    Really?

    Had enough of the Rombama/Obamney UNCONSTITUTIONAL police/surveillance state?

    RON PAUL 2012! NO EXCUSES!!!!!!!!!!

    Report Post » Brother Winston Smith  
  • txsrowdy10
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 9:37pm

    I swear as a Texan and a citizen of The United States of America I will take every opportunity to shoot down each and every drone I see, as is my right under the fourth ammendment against illegal search. If it flies over my land, it will be shot down and destroyed.

    Report Post »  
  • KangarooJack
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 9:18pm

    I get the feeling that this is going to be one of those “But it SEEMED like a good idea at the time” kinda things.
    If I TRUSTED my Gov’t….I wouldn’t feel this way. What better way to eliminate those nasty terrorists-’ya know, returning vets, current military, police, etc. Drones do what you type in and don’t ask “why”. Drones don’t have a Constitution.

    Report Post » KangarooJack  
  • NHwinter
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 9:14pm

    If the 40-47% of people who still think Obama is their savior don’t wake up and soon, we will be doomed for a while. I do believe in the American spirit and believe Americans will only put up with this for just so long. We have learned from history and will not be lead off to reeducations camps like sheep. We took freedom for granted, now we must fight for it. God bless and keep America. Lets pray that most of our military will be on our side.

    Report Post » NHwinter  
  • beckyspatflaveredstew
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 9:06pm

    Armed drones that is, now we know why the front door of every house in America was recorded with GPS missile coordinance.

    Report Post »  
  • skippy6
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 8:54pm

    Not to long ago I heard an airplane, I looked up but could not see it…. It didn’t sound like a normal plane?? It just had this different sound to it… Does anyone know??? do they sound a bit different, to me it reminded me of an radio controlled model plane…

    Report Post » skippy6  
  • korbin
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 8:45pm

    Anyone who thinks this won’t happen is a complete idiot. NDAA, Patriot Act, Executive Order after EO, they are all oath breakers, vote every single one out and lets start with PATRIOTS those that will stand for freedom, follow their duty their oaths to uphold and defend the US Constitution against foreign and domestic enemies, the slippery slope is those of us who cherish our individual liberties are methodically being portrayed as the bad guy’s. oathkeepers.org I do my part do you? I pay for and hand out pocket constitutions for free, oath keeper cards and I encourage people to educate themselves. God help us.

    Report Post »  
    • korbin
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 8:47pm

      Repost my bad………..

      Report Post »  
    • hpyagl
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 9:09pm

      It is already happening in Iowa and Nebraska for farm operation monitoring. The drones are being used by the EPA for this purpose.

      Report Post »  
  • Prosecute_Constitutional_Treason_In_Washington
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 8:44pm

    Where are the Constitutional leaders of America to voice opposition to the traitors and seek to try the traitors? Where are the States to exercise the 10th amendment of the Constitution against the federal gov. and take back their citizens rights? Where are the County sheriffs in Amierica to tell the federal gov. no federal law will be enforced in their county if the law ignors citizen Constitutional rights? These are the people we are paying to protect us. Where are they? The last resort is the 250 million private guns in America. I guess the guns may be needed. It’s come to your rights and mine are not up for vote; these rights come from birth by God and the Constitution.

    Report Post » Prosecute_Constitutional_Treason_In_Washington  
  • KidCharlemagne
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 8:40pm

    Looks like President Eisenhower was right:

    —————
    “This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence — economic, political, even spiritual — is felt in every city, every State house, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society.

    In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.

    We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.”
    President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Farewell Address, January 17, 1961

    Report Post »  
  • Prosecute_Constitutional_Treason_In_Washington
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 8:38pm

    The military and all Constitutional leaders should be asked to either support a revolution or try the traitors for Constitutional treason. It’s time to address the treason.

    Report Post » Prosecute_Constitutional_Treason_In_Washington  
  • Prosecute_Constitutional_Treason_In_Washington
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 8:36pm

    It’s time to lock and load for a REVOLUTION. The good citizens of the US have God given and Constitutional rights given at birth and no gov. should ever be allowed to remain in power by vote who has chosen to take those rights by legislation. If the political powers are to weak to take back the Country, the guns should take it back. Yes, by force if necessary. It’s time to Revolt.

    Prosecute_Constitutional_Treason_In_Washington  
    • historyguy48
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 8:56pm

      Comrade in 1978 a KGB defector, Yuri Bezmenov, said that the only way we could stop this was “the tried and true Soviet way”. To vague, thats a bullet into the back of a head.
      The problem with a revolution is that the revolutionaries seldom get the government they want. In fact that happens so seldom that, despite hundreds or thousands of revolutions, exactly one ended up the way the revolutinaries wanted, and that was ours!
      If our only choice is to go into the dark or fight for our freedoms, then we have been given no choice, which was the exact situation the founding fathers found themselves to be in! Then, and only then, we must fight. We will probably die, but personally, everyone dies so whats the big deal?

      Report Post » historyguy48  
  • historyguy48
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 8:35pm

    Comrades is this guy ever wrong! 2015? Nonsense, mid 2013 at the latest and if Dear Leader remains sooner than that because the round up of “dissidents” will begin no later than January 2013. Heck, Hitker became chancellor in March 1933, by the end of March he was rounding up the communists and the social democrats!
    Since Americans are sheep we will go into the dark quietly, then cry about the freedoms we surrendered rather than defended!
    I wonder how long it will be before they try for the guns, or is that what they think will finally set us off so Dear Leader can suspend the elections and declare martial law?
    Not good!

    Report Post » historyguy48  
  • Elena2010
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 8:32pm

    This is a really bad idea. Drones have a place in counterinsurgency warfare, but they have no place over the heads of free people in a free nation.

    WE THE PEOPLE are such a free people and are going to vote the buggers out this November!

    Report Post » Elena2010  
    • SovereignSoul
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 11:21pm

      I”ll believe that when I see it! Even so, we”ll probably just replace the old buggers with new buggers.

      Report Post » SovereignSoul  
    • OperationNorthwoods
      Posted on July 20, 2012 at 3:34am

      Yeah, because Mitt is sure to stop this. Please wake up.

      Report Post » OperationNorthwoods  
  • cher.128
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 8:31pm

    Does anyone think that the drones are going to be surveilling the Zetas, MS 13, human smugglers or, radical islamic mosques ?
    More than likely, it will be peaceful Christian groups, Tea Party members, school bake sales and farmers selling raw milk in a neighboring state.

    Report Post »  
    • skippy6
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 8:49pm

      Don’t forget the preschooler lemonade stands!!!!

      Report Post » skippy6  
  • garbagecanlogic
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 8:24pm

    If the drones do become widespread as indicated, then there will probably be another change in leadership at all levels.

    Praise Be To Obama. Psalm 109:8

    The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
    The U.N. Out Of The U.S.

    Report Post »  
  • Dick Blitskreig
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 8:23pm

    They won’t put these on the border but will put them above us.lol

    Report Post » Dick Blitskreig  
    • Prosecute_Constitutional_Treason_In_Washington
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 8:34pm

      Question? We vote for competent leaders like this man. Why do they only speak of “concern.?”
      If this guy is a real leader who cares for Texas he should be outing all drones used against the good citizens of Texas and the US. Most of our leaders are the criminals. They fail to protect anyone except themselves. Time are a revolution. Yes, everyone needs to take heart in the 2nd amendment and be willing to die for his neighbors rights. This is what it will take. It’s time to pack for the revolution.

      Report Post » Prosecute_Constitutional_Treason_In_Washington  
  • momrules
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 8:20pm

    The DHS is not here to protect America. Their role has taken that of a zoo keeper…..keeping the animals constrained so they know where they are at all times and who is doing what with whom.

    The drones are and will be used as another tool in the zookeepers arsenal of weapons and they will be used against us.

    I miss freedom.

    Report Post »  
    • Meyvn
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 10:35pm

      Agreed. Hopefully we’ll disappear before they get tyrannical with them. Time is getting short.

      Report Post » Meyvn  
    • momrules
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 10:48pm

      MEYVN………..I agree, time is getting short.

      Report Post »  
  • wordweaver
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 8:18pm

    We are in the “Wild West” days of unmanned drones. This is clearly another case of technology outpacing the law and ethics of the situation. In short, we figured out how to do it before we figured out whether we should do it. How long will it be before one of these drones flies into a manned aircraft and it really hits the fan? I think pretty quickly we’re going to see legislatures jumping on this and hammering out a plan. I can see some positive uses for drones, like border security, but I don’t see these things playing a role in local law enforcement across the land. It would be a constant nightmare for the legal system.

    Report Post » wordweaver  
  • intercepter
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 8:17pm

    just another something to save us from ourselves ,,inch /foot inch /foot liberty is slowly leaving us all

    Report Post »  
  • RLTW
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 8:11pm

    I worked with UAV’s in the military, and within the contract world for the past 6 years, many of the UAV’s, being shown on the news are very limited. I say this not to assure anyone but to let all know many of the models being sold to local LEO’s are garbage, many of you may have seen the one that looks like a hovering R2D2 it’s truly a POS and sounds like a flying lawnmower.

    The loiter time of most limit them to specific targets, so what I would say is the threat is low for about 3 to 5 more years, if demand grows skeet is a great pastime.

    Report Post »  
    • Elena2010
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 8:33pm

      Their efficiency is not what we question. We question those who think we need to be observed 24/7, even w/POS drones.

      Report Post » Elena2010  
    • RLTW
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 10:48pm

      Most small to midsize urban drones are POS, optics are good at seeing groups of people not things, it’s the nature of payload and they don’t have it.

      Report Post »  
  • korbin
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 8:10pm

    Anyone who thinks this won’t happen is a complete idiot. NDAA, Patriot Act, Executive Order after EO, they are all oath breakers, vote every single one out and lets start with PATRIOTS those that will stand for freedom, follow their duty their oaths to uphold and defend the US Constitution against foreign and domestic enemies, the slippery slope is those of us who cherish our individual liberties are methodically being portrayed as the bad guy’s. oathkeepers.org I do my part do you? I pay for and hand out pocket constitutions for free, oath keeper cards and I encourage people to educate themselves. God help us.

    Report Post »  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 8:03pm

    I think it might be a metaphore for US fliers, since we sheepishly have given up our rights, allow ourselves to be felt up and numbley let a stewardess yell at us and treat us like cattle, we have become “Drones”. So I guess Drones do dominate the air.

    Or they could be talking about a bee invasion, then drones will dominate the sky.

    THE BEES KNOW!!!!!

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • 83plus
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 10:41pm

      Oh definitely, the bees know. They always know something.

      Report Post »  
  • CatB
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 7:58pm

    As someone who used to fly around with her father in a small plane .. this has disaster written all over it .. not just for the invasion of privacy .. but the safety of those on the ground AND in the air.

    Report Post »  
    • Exrepublisheep
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 8:03pm

      Agreed.

      Report Post » Exrepublisheep  
    • hpyagl
      Posted on July 19, 2012 at 9:03pm

      I sent an email to my local Flight Service District Office about a Month ago and asked what the FAA was planning on doing about the operation of drones in US airspace and I received a reply that they are working on what are called “Next Gen Operation” regulations. Drones are currently being used in the region I live in to monitor farming operations. Farmers are being monitored in Iowa and Nebraska to ensure among other things that they are not exceeding the maximum number of cattle per acre. I sent the email to the FAA to see if the response would imply that the drone inspections were not really taking place. They didn’t deny that it was occurring. The reply seemed to indicate that they knew the flights were taking place but they did not have much knowledge of how flight rules were going to change from a safety standpoint. I’ll bet dollars to donuts that if I ever run into one assuming I survive, I will be responsible for damage to the drone and property on the ground.

      Report Post »  
  • justangry
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 7:57pm

    And that’s a good thing? Vote this clown out please.

    Report Post » justangry  
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