While much of the focus on the use of drones in recent months has been on the potential for the private sector, the ACUO (association of Australian Certified UAV Operators) believes that steps need to be taken to coordinate military responses to military or terrorist threats by UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles). Illegal drones have come down within metres of the Oval Office and of the office of the Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, in recent weeks.  

Significant shortfall

Joe Urli, chair of the Australian association and a pilot and air safety expert, said: 'There is a significant shortfall in international cooperation for the development of counter-UAS capabilities.' Governments must expect to encounter drones used in a hostile fashion against them, he believes. 'Those threats could be as basic as consumer grade unmanned aircraft used to provide situational intelligence, or as sophisticated as low observable, high speed penetrating systems with weapons capability.'

Regulatory framework needed

The ACUO has been at the forefront of calls for creating the necessary regulatory and legal framework for drones. There is an interview with Mr Urli in the first issue of Robotics Law Journal, which appears next month.