[schurmann]

“...Military drones are going to be operating at heights where they’re just a small speck in the sky. WAY outside your shotgun or most rifle ranges.” [Svartalfiar, post 20]

The military establishment operates unmanned air vehicles over a much greater span of sizes, performance, and capabilities than citizens realize: it’s gone well beyond Global Hawk cruising above 40,000 feet.

There are now drones the same size as radio-controlled model aircraft: launched by hand, they operate daily. We will soon see drones as small as songbirds, capable of flying through storm-drain tunnels; drones no larger than dragonflies won’t be far behind.

[Svartalfiar]

The military establishment operates unmanned air vehicles over a much greater span of sizes, performance, and capabilities than citizens realize: it’s gone well beyond Global Hawk cruising above 40,000 feet.

There are now drones the same size as radio-controlled model aircraft: launched by hand, they operate daily. We will soon see drones as small as songbirds, capable of flying through storm-drain tunnels; drones no larger than dragonflies won’t be far behind.

True, but not every unit is going to have Ravens or Pumas. Few do. And having that capability is irrelevant, we are NOT allowed to originate imagery of USPERs domestically. Period. Even a civilian vehicle driving on a highway next to a military base can't be tracked, even for training purposes. Hikers or kids lost in the woods, cannot be tracked. USPERs cannot be imaged outside of being incidental to approved imagery, and can't be targeted. The only exception is with approval of SecDef. Himself. Not his office. Him. And that requires paperwork and days of time at best. The military is not going to be tracking anyone at their backyard pool party.