Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), also commonly known as drones, are aircraft that are either controlled by "pilots" from the ground or flown 'autonomously' on a pre-programmed mission. While there are dozens of different types of drones, they are essentially divided into two categories: those used for reconnaissance and surveillance purposes, and those armed with missiles and bombs.
The use of drones has grown rapidly in recent years because, unlike manned aircraft, they can stay aloft for many hours (the 'Zephyr', a British drone has just broken the world record for continuous flight for over 82 hours non-stop), they are much cheaper than military aircraft and, among other things, they can be piloted remotely, so there is no risk to the flight crew.
You can also watch a very interesting related video:
Let us also remember a recent article published on secnews.gr regarding the legislation expected in the US aimed at recording the data of drone owners.
The general rules governing the use of commercial and non-commercial unmanned mini aircraft (drones) are still on the table, but according to information, an important rule - law is expected to be enacted soon: Legal registration.
In the same way you would register a car, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is set to enact rules requiring all owners of unmanned mini-aircraft to register them with government documents.
The Department has not made an official announcement regarding such a program, but a report from NBC News on Friday claims that the law is expected to go into effect in the near future.
However, even if such a registration program works, another concern concerns how the millions of existing drones will be registered under the new program.
At this point, another report from the Wall Street Journal claims that a group of experts will meet next week to decide how to handle the issue of existing unregistered drones, as well as the type of devices that will be included under the new law.
While some may see the legal registration of drones as excessive government regulation, recent dangerous incidents at airports involving unmanned mini-aircraft have prompted calls for tighter controls around their use in the U.S.The new law would also allow the identification of a drone's owner, who could be anything from a paparazzi to an industrial spy.
Technology is perhaps the most important subject in the examination of drones. Technological developments in this field are rapid, the research and development of new systems – military and non-military – is continuous and thus the use of new systems is expected in the near future, creating a different environment.
The development of the use of MNEs requires the examination of the geopolitical parameters that characterize and shape the corresponding environment and, by extension, the area of their use.
The legal dimension of the use of unmanned aerial systems refers mainly to civilian systems and in particular to their control for flight safety, as well as the protection of human rights from their uncontrolled use.
In Greece, there are various MSPs in the research & development phase, both for military and non-military uses, in industry, in university research laboratories, research centers, etc. In several of these, participation in transnational programs and collaborations is involved. It is therefore useful and appropriate to present these developments in research and development.
These are some of the topics that will be discussed at the Conference organized by the Academy of Strategic Analyses in the context of its activities, with particular interest in Strategy and Security issues, is organizing a Conference on the topic: "Unmanned Aerial Systems: Geopolitical, Technological and Legal Dimensions of their Use".
The conference will take place on Wednesday 25/11/15 at 09:15 at the Amphitheater of the Athens War Museum.
