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GAO warns unmanned planes pose security problems

A report issued by the Government Accountability Office found that growing government and private sector interest in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) is posing unique challenges to the nation’s aviation security posture. The agency urged the Federal Aviation Administration to develop new regulations to govern unmanned flights, which are now approved on a case-by-case basis. The Department of Homeland Security "has not addressed the national security implications of routine UAS access to the airspace," the GAO reported, adding that with the growing number of government agency and private sector players, the need for effective UAS regulation is becoming urgent. The FAA estimates that completing UAS safety regulations will take 10 or more years, but has not yet issued its program plan to communicate the steps and time frames required to provide routine UAS access.

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SECURITY PROGRAM ANALYSIS - A recent analysis of aviation and surface transportation security programs developed by the Transportation Security Administration concluded that while the agency has strengthened its planning to guide investments, significant gaps need to be closed. The report, issued by the Government Accountability Office, found that TSA has made only "limited progress" in developing and deploying checkpoint technologies and that it has not revised screening exemptions for air cargo transported into the U.S. that may leave the air cargo system unacceptably vulnerable. The GAO report also noted program management challenges in the development of Secure Flight, including developing cost and schedule estimates. In addition, agency investigators wrote, DHS and TSA lack performance measures to fully evaluate the effectiveness of current processes for passengers who apply for redress due to inconveniences they allegedly experienced during the check-in and screening process. In its review of TSA efforts to boost ground transportation security systems, especially regarding mass transit, GAO warned that the agency has not fully defined its role with respect to securing other transportation modes, such as commercial vehicles and highway infrastructure.

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