DHS’s Legal Authorities for Countering Unmanned Aircraft Systems

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has published a fact sheet identifying the measures it and its components are authorized to take to counter unlawful unmanned aircraft system (UAS) activity. These measures include detecting, identifying, monitoring, and tracking UAS; disrupting control of the UAS; and using reasonable force to disable, damage, or destroy the UAS. In the document, DHS notes it is in the process of coordinating with its components and stakeholders regarding the need for additional counter-UAS authorities.