National Protection and Programs Directorate

OFFICE OF CYBER AND INFRASTRUCTURE ANALYSIS

May 2016

UAV Capability Versus Policy

ALTITUDE RANGE GROSS WEIGHT OF DEVICE
to • Current FAA regulations • FAA regulations require UAV operators keep • FAA regulations address up to
prescribe a 400 ft. ceiling the device within line of sight—typically within 55 lb. devices.
that is far below the true 1,000 ft. of the operator. • Current technology devices
capability of these devices. • Current technology allows an operator to weigh approximately 2–8 lbs.
• Current technology devices control a UAV device up to 6 miles.
available through retail,
+15,000 ft • Cutting-edge technology can
• Cutting-edge technology allows weigh 440 lbs.
can reach an altitude an operator to control 13,000 • 440 lb. devices have a 55 lbs. 2–8 lbs. 440 lbs.

AERIAL VEHICLES
of 1,600 ft. a UAV device up to
• Cutting-edge technology 13,000 miles. miles significantly larger
payload capacity.
Current FAA Current Cutting-Edge
Ruling Technology Technology
devices available through 6 miles
(UAVs)
retail, can climb to an * Payload capacities are being upgraded across a varying range of products at a rapid pace and
altitude exceeding do not correlate to the gross weight of the device.
15,000 ft. 1,000 ft
FIRST-PERSON VIEW FLIGHT AUTONOMOUS FLIGHT
The capability to fly the device based on the The capability for the device to fly itself
view from the UAV itself. based on GPS coordinates and
1,600 ft • FAA rulings prohibit this capability. preinstalled flight paths.
• FAA rulings do not address
400 ft • The capability is installed on a
this capability.
large number of devices available
Current FAA Current Cutting-Edge through retail. • Available in many current
Ruling Technology Technology technology devices.

Number of commercial and hobbyist Exposed infrastructure systems and public gathering areas are UAV aviation incidents have increased
sales is projected to nearly vulnerable to UAV devices. since 2012.
triple by 2020. 1,300
7.0M
6.1M

5.5M
4.8M UAV devices have the 543
capability to collide with
• UAVs provide adversaries with the ability to circumvent traditional physical security measures such as gates, aviation conveyances or
2.5M surveillance equipment, and security guards. disrupt aviation operations.
• Exposed infrastructure systems (such as electrical transmission facilities, pipelines, roads, and bridges) and
public gathering areas (such as stadiums and public assembly sites) are vulnerable to UAV devices. 7 25
2012 2013 2014 2015
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020