WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and the University of North Dakota (UND) announced today a three-year cooperative research and development agreement designed to explore the uses of unmanned aerial technology as well as mitigations for possible misuse.   “This mission critical research will facilitate a better understanding of both capabilities and vulnerabilities of unmanned aerial technology as well as spur the development of countermeasures to potential threats based upon their use,” said DHS Under Secretary for Science and Technology Dr. Reginald Brothers. “It is this kind of collaborative research that ultimately informs our law enforcement and policymakers.”

Research between S&T and UND will examine the homeland security implications of commercial operations of unmanned aerial technology including potentially beneficial uses as well as the security challenges that they pose.  Experimental research allows for the development of new training methods and best practices in addressing the unmanned aerial technology threat and will allow for the investigation and analysis of the current policies, procedures, and regulations established by state and local jurisdictions.