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Department of Defense Proposes Autonomous Drones, Expanded Surveillance Mission

A new Department of Defense report "Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap" sets out "a technological vision for the next 25 years" of drone deployment. The DOD report suggests that budgets cuts are increasing the need for autonomous drones with onboard intelligence. One documentary describes the role of the the Department of Defense developing sophisticated surveillance technologies. The new DOD report states that surveillance is one of the primary purposes for pursuing drone technology, particularly for "surveillance missions that involve prolonged observation." An EPIC FOIA request revealed that domestic drones deployed by the Department of Homeland Security can be deployed with the ability to intercept electronic communications and to recognize individuals on the ground. EPIC has recommended privacy safeguards to limit drone surveillance in the United States. For more information, see EPIC: Domestic Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Drones.


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