§6227 Protection of Certain Nuclear Facilities and Assets From Unmanned Aircraft

Summary

The Secretary of Energy can take actions to reduce the danger that a drone or other unmanned aircraft system poses to certain nuclear facilities or assets, even if other federal criminal laws (Title 18) would normally limit those actions. Those actions can include finding, identifying, watching, and tracking the aircraft (including intercepting communications used to control it) without the operator’s permission; warning the operator by electronic, radio, or other means; disrupting or interfering with the aircraft’s control signals; taking control of, seizing, or confiscating the aircraft; and using reasonable force to disable, damage, or destroy it. The Secretary must work with the Secretary of Transportation to develop these actions. Seized aircraft can be forfeited to the United States. The two Secretaries can write rules and must issue guidance. Definitions: "Covered facility or asset" — a facility the Secretary of Energy identifies that is in the United States (including territories) and is either owned or contracted to the National Nuclear Security Administration (including sites that store or use special nuclear material) or is a national security laboratory or nuclear weapons production facility. "Unmanned aircraft" and "unmanned aircraft system" — have the meanings given in section 331 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112–95; 49 U.S.C. 40101).