Require the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security to complete a threat assessment regarding unmanned aircraft systems at or near the international borders of the United States, and for other purposes.

Summary

Requires the Department of Defense to lead an interagency threat assessment of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operating at or within 100 air miles of U.S. international land and coastal borders, to be completed within one year. After the assessment, the Under Secretary of Defense must submit a written report to Congress within 180 days summarizing threats, current U.S. responsibilities and capabilities, and whether changes in authorities or resources are needed; an unclassified report with a possible classified annex and a follow-up briefing are also required.

Key Points

• DoD must lead an interagency assessment of UAS threats within 100 air miles of U.S. international borders, completed within one year.
• Assessment must identify malign actors using UAS, U.S. detection and counter-capability gaps, and malicious uses of UAS-collected data.
• The assessment must evaluate tactics for weaponizing or misusing UAS, and review privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties protections for lawful operators.
• Within 180 days after the assessment, DoD must report findings to Congress in unclassified form (with an optional classified annex) and provide a briefing within 90 days of the report.

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