Ryan Krupansky Krupansky 1
Mr.Esposito
English 10
2/20/14
Drones sweeping the nation
“Unmanned aircraft help save time, save money, and not to mention saving lives.” States Ben Gielow, general counsel of Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) (Kimery2). Drones have not been around for long periods of time but they have been used quite frequently in America. Government programs, like the military, have currently been the major use for drones. The drones either deliver a military strike or spy behind enemy lines. Some people oppose their use, citing that they are harmful and kill innocent people in blind foreign strikes; and some people say its getting the job done. Although generally Americans support the use of drones, many are on the fence about drones and arguing still continues. Opposers to drones do say accidents happen, but really the question should be how often? Drones harness the potential around the world to bring people to a new age of technology. Domestic drones should be used for public and recreational use. Domestic drones are the new generation of technology in the twenty-first century. They attempt to help everyday citizens. They can also assist people by creating new businesses and helping people do difficult tasks; such as making scientific discoveries, helping the U.S. economy by creating new jobs and industry, or even assisting the ones who save our lives and keep us safe. A 2013 report by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) states that producing drones can help create jobs and make millions of dollars for America. Domestic drone integration will have created more than 70,000 jobs - 34,000 of them in manufacturing- during the first three years
Krupansky 2 unmanned aircraft operate in U.S. airspace. The report predicted that in the first three years of drone manufacturing, maintenance, and associated activities will have an economic impact of 13.6 billion dollars. With drones being manufactured in the U.S, it will boost the unemployment rate and create jobs in manufacturing and industry. In addition to the economy, drones have helped in recent scientific studies and research. Boise State University professor Jennifer Foreby had used a drone to observe Pygmy Rabbits, an endangered species, for her personal scientific research. She states “Pygmy Rabbits are a sensitive species, so finding a better way to assess habitats was one of our goals.” “Most people get on the ground…. and get really small snapshots of what’s going on, but in a few hours with an UAS [unmanned aircraft system] can cover a wide area” . With the use of domestic drones, scientific studies such as research of pygmy rabbit can be done more often and easily. From science to safety, many drones today collaborate with the rescue teams such a firefighters and policemen, to make sure American citizens are safe from dangerous situations. In June 2012, a poll by the Monmouth University Polling Institute, 80% agreed to using unmanned aircraft to assist with search and rescue missions (Mcglynn12+16). Drones have the potential to make a huge impact working with teams such as policemen and firefighters. They help them save the lives of others without risking the life of a human being. Whether it’s economy, science, or safety, drones make a huge impact when it comes to using or building them in the nation of American. Law enforcement in America is what makes our nation the strongest and it’s what keeps our citizens safe. Many organizations, like the military and border patrol, play major roles to protect America from potential and harmful threats. The flaw with this is that the people who work in these areas are putting their lives at risk to protect their country. Drone technology has the power to give the
Krupansky 3 law the advantage without risking injury or death. Michael Toscano president and CEO of
AUVSI claims that drones are credible in performing such dangerous tasks. “Unmanned aircraft increase human potential allowing us to execute dangerous or difficult tasks safely and efficiently” (Kimery 4). Using drones for risky and hazardous tasks can save many lives in years to come. In areas such as immigration and smuggling of illegal substances, the U.S border patrol promotes the use of drones. The advantage of 24 hour drone surveillance contributes to identifying criminal acts. The drones have significantly improved the agency’s ability to get their job done well. In June 2012, a drone equipped with a Vehicle And Dismount Exploitation Radar or VADER, was able to spot a temporary ramp over a fence and saw a Chevy Suburban SUV clearing a fence. Agents were alerted and were able to confiscate 2317 pounds of marijuana (WhitlockandTimberg 3). Drones are fully capable of making sure the criminals are getting caught for the right reason and in a quick and timely manner. Not only just in action, but behind the scenes, Joe Eyerman Ph.D director for security, defense, and safety feels that drones being used for law enforcement currently show that definite progress is being made in the efficiency of maintaining the law. He states, “Despite the concerns associated with unmanned systems, this study shows that the majority of law enforcement officers find potential advantages outweigh the risks and barriers” (Kimery 3). Drones used in any mission or task for law enforcement seem to show that the success outweighs the flaws. The use of drones has made a significant improvement in the enforcement of the law. Using drones to reduce the risk to humans, catch a defiance of the law, or even just to identify a threat to national security shows that using drones is an improvement to how effective and efficient America's law enforcement can become. Drones wouldn't have come this far without the public support of the American people. As far
Krupansky 4 as support goes many opinions and ideals of the american people have toward drones definitely shows that there will be expansion shown in this area of technology. At NASA, much support is shown from the program’s weather department. They use drones to benefit not only NASA but the people around the nation. Scott Braun, director of NASA’s global Hawk mission, has used unmanned air power to track and collect more accurate storm data for hurricanes and upcoming natural disasters (Handwerk3). As an example of drone support, it will give big agencies such as NASA the ability to collect and advance research about natural disaster storms. Not only from NASA but support also comes from one of the co-founders of Switzerland’s Pix-4D software company; Oliver Kung. He is in total support when it comes to using aircraft technology to map a geographic area. He states “You can just push a button or launch them by hand to see them fly. You don't need a remote anymore - they are guided by GPS and inherently safe” (Handwerk3-4). With drones equipped with Pix-4D’s software it makes it easier to get tough jobs done. Individual companies and agencies aren’t the only ones privately using and favoring drone support. Many people of the general public have said through the assistance of a survey that drones can be helpful in any situation. A national study released by Duke University Institute for Homeland Security and non-profit research house, RIT International, finds that 57% of the general public supports the use of unmanned aircraft for any application (Dillow2). Through big agencies such as NASA and surveys of the general public, majority rate shows that drone support outweighs the drone rejection: America supports the use of domestic drones. Those that oppose drones state that the use of drones in America is quite unsafe and could expose and harm people as we continue to expand their use. Regarding military drone use, “A report from Amnesty International investigates some U.S military strikes in Pakistan raising “serious
Krupansky 5 concerns” over whether some of the killings have been unlawful and “may amount to extra judicial executions or war crimes and other violations of international humanitarian law.” Although in this article 60% of Americans support drone military use, there is growing concern regarding loss of innocent human life associated with such strikes (Drake 1+2). Privacy advocates say drones can be a hindrance, some say because, “ The low cost and ease of use may encourage police and others to conduct the kind of continuous or intrusive surveillance that might otherwise be impractical. Drones can be equipped with high-powered cameras and listening devices, as well as infrared cameras that can see people in the dark.”(Lowy 3).
This may be the case but many examples show that drones have been more helpful rather than harmful. In nature drones are being used for advance research on wildlife as well as to maintain agriculture. Evan Baldwin Carr, an associate of the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA) states, “Drones are being developed to aid agriculture and wildlife, monitor crops and track wild animals, as well as take scientific measurement for earth science research”(Kimery4). Also in science Serge Wich, a primate biologist, claims that drones have helped him make big discoveries and helped save many of the orangutan species with the use of drones. This biologist has launched several conservation drones with his non-profit group, to map nesting spots orangutans make at night. The drones have the power to help Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) around the area petition the government from cutting down the palm trees for palm oil (Handwerk5). Drones help preserve the wildlife and their habitats. At the same time they help make scientific research possible. The general public seems to have shown support by recognizing the benefits of drone use rather than pointing out their flaws. Drones should be readily available and usable by people of all ages. Drones have shown that in
Krupansky 6
America, new jobs can be created for the unemployed so it can help the economy. Also in law enforcement, drones have proven to increase the efficiency and effectiveness helping people who keep our country safe so that America stays safe. In addition the general public seems to agree with the use of domestic drones in the U.S. We are looking forward to expanding on it. We can discover what drones can later evolve into in the future. Finally even though many people question the use of domestic drones it is shown that many more positive uses have been found to benefit our country rather than harm it.

Works Cited
1. McGlynn, Daniel. "Domestic Drones." CQ Researcher 18 Oct. 2013: 885-908. Web. 2 Mar. 2014.
2. Dillow, Clay. "Why Americans Love Drones." CNN.com. CNN, 26 June 2013. Web. 3. Handwerk, Brian. "5 Surprising Drone Uses (Besides Amazon Delivery)."Www.nationalgeographic.com. National Geogrphic, 2 Dec. 2013. Web.
4. Kimery, Anthony L. "Drones: Force Multipliers For Law Enforcement, Other FirstResponders."Www.hstoday.us. Hstoday, 28 July 2013. Web.
5. Whitlock, Craig, and Craig Timberg. "Border-partrol Drones Being Borrowed by Other Agencies More Often than Previously Known." Www.Washingtonpost.com. Washington Post, 14 Jan.2013. Web.
6. Drake, Bruce. "Report Questions Drone Use, Widely Unpopular Globally, but Not in U.S."Pew Research. N.p., 23 Oct. 2013. Web. 2 Mar. 2014.
7. Lowy, Joan. "Civilian Use of Drones Has Risk, Rewards." Fredericksburg. N.p., 29 Mar. 2013.Web. 2 Mar. 2014.