What are Drones?
The usage of unmanned drones by the US has attracted the intervention of President Obama to comment and confirm the presence of unmanned drones in Pakistan. The US as a country relies on drones for the sake of external intervention and maximization of security surveillance within its borders. The case of a drone attack in Pakistan is not the only isolated incident, but there are several other episodes. This leads to the question concerning the real identity of drones and how their operations foster security situations in the US. This is the beginning of the essay, where it seeks to clarify the true meaning of drones and how they operate within the American Borders.
Drones are commonly referred to as UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) or RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems) by the US military. Drones are air crafts that operate in risky areas where military intervention is considered impossible. Principally, this special unit of the US military is charged with the responsibility of providing troops within a 24-hour “eye in the sky”, seven days a week. Therefore, Drones undertake air surveillance and have the capability of standing in a loft for 17 hours at any given time, while taking complete surveillance of an area, and sending real-time imagery on the ground. The US is the mastermind behind an effective drone operation and conjoins the Air Force and the Royal Air Force for duties like surveillance, intelligence, and reconnaissance craft. However, these drones vary in size where some are light enough to be launched by hand, while others are medium-sized armed drones, and finally the large spy planes.
Drones are charged with the maintenance of security from an aerial view. Therefore, their operations are highly synchronized with the ground levels, and maintain communication with the ground communication military satiations, just to ensure that security alerts are sufficiently made. The first responsibility attached to these drones includes the provision of Intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance to the country. The USA has always achieved this mandate by deploying an adequate number of drones in manning its air as well as grounds levels. This is one means that the US military system enhances its security, and ensures that swift actions are taken in case of a security emergency. In addition, surveillance into the air supplements the operations of well-positioned radar systems. Therefore, drones are special security alert and response system that keeps watch of the entire country, while in the air. This is a fundamental duty that drones have in the US security system; an act that has culminated any potential security hazard into the US borders.
Other than aerial uses are surveillance, drones are served with other numerous mandates. These mandates range from Checking for roadside bombs or devices on landing areas. This purpose is enhanced due to the articulate capability of drones to view every object from air and ground. There are two types of drones, and this classification is enabled through their respective modes of operations. The first category is controlled from the air, while the other is controlled from the ground. The latter specializes in the duty of detonating bombs and other explosive devices on the ground. Due to a network of connectivity, drones are served with the special task of listening to mobile phone conversations. There are many radio calls and satellite communication devices that enhance coordination with the ground and air surveillance drones. In this process, the security situation in the country gets enhanced. Drones equally help in fostering listening to mobile phone conversations, helping understand the daily routines of locals to see what are normal behaviors, offer close air support, and attack suspected insurgents.
The tasks described above give the operational scope and definition of drones. Therefore, drones are contingent on military aircraft comprising of a multiagency group that enhances surveillance of both air and the ground. This leads to the validity of drones in the US. President Obama has regularly issued statements regarding the surprising attacks conducted by drones in Pakistan and other rebel countries. It is confirmed that the US drones attack rebel insurgents has increased during the reign of President Obama, then during the tenure of President Bush.
How do Drones become domestic?
Usage of drones in domestic affairs is an increasing phenomenon in the USA. This aspect has become a common practice due to the legal instigations encouraging the use of domestic drones. Therefore, drones become domestic amidst law enforcement that emphasizes the use of domestic drones in the surveillance of the country. This step towards promoting domestic drones is seen as a means of enhancing security surveillance in the country. This implies that both the private and public agencies will take part in the surveillance of the entire country, thereby promoting peace and security. In addition, friendly legislation is amended in favor of domestic drones due to the importance of involving public participation in the security sector. Government alone cannot manage the full security expectation of the county but must be supplemented by private sectors.
However, legislations that allow the use of domestic drones must always be made strict with the view of containing any adversity to this move. In view of this, congress instigated an initial process that was viewed as the mastermind behind making drones appear domestic. The USA congress has ordered the Federal Aviation Administration to transform airspace rules and make it much easier for the police nationwide to adopt the usage of domestic drones. This is a landmark achievement in the creation of domestic drones. However, the use of domestic drones must consider the following safeguard measures:
The first regulatory measure following the use of domestic drones involves the usage limits. In this regard, drones are supposed to be deployed by law enforcement, and only with a warrant, or in cases of emergency, or when there are substantial grounds to believe that drones will collect evidence regarding specific data regarding the criminal act. In the second incidence, domestic drones are used alongside data retention limits. In this regard, the image captured by domestic drones must be retained only if is a satisfactory suspicion that they contain evidence or hold some relevance to an ongoing trial or investigation. The third condition requires domestic drones to be used subject to policy instigations. Usage policy remains a key restraint in using domestic drones, and this issue must be decided by the public’s representatives, and not police departments. In addition, these policies must be clear and presented through writing or open to the public. The third condition stipulates that usage of domestic drones must be accompanied by abuse prevention and accountability. This aspect requires open audits and adequate oversight in order to prevent any possible misuse of domestic drones. Finally, domestic drones must not be equipped with either legal or non-legal weapons, as this contravenes the rights of establishing such drones. These few frameworks lead to the creation of domestic drones.