FAA Says Military Can Use Anti-Drone Lasers in U.S. Airspace
26 points by bookofjoe
by linzhangrun
0 subcomment
The Russo-Ukrainian War has increasingly made the view of drones as weapons a consensus, and it may not be long before we see them regulated like firearms (to be fair, the kinetic energy carried by an FPV drone racing at 200 kph is no less than that of a .50 bullet).
In China, starting from the 1st of next month, the "strictest new regulations" on drones will be implemented immediately. Taking the capital Beijing as an example, after May 1st, the issue is not whether you can apply for a flight permit, but a comprehensive ban on possession. Those entering Beijing from other regions will also undergo strict security checks to detect if they are bringing any in. This is bad news for travelers who bring drones abroad and need to transit through Beijing.
I'm surprised the FAA is making a decision on this. They don't typically have rules about military aircraft defensive countermeasures, which are instead regulated by DOD rules. Further, while military aircraft typically follow FAA rules in civilian airspace, they can deviate in conditions of tactical necessity (ie pretty much any situation they would need to use countermeasures).
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