By Tim Holt

While national security is always of paramount concern, the proposed “Countering CCP Drones Act” (H.R. 2864) takes a misguided approach. Presented as a solution to combat supposed threats posed by Chinese-manufactured drones, it threatens to ground legitimate businesses and recreational flyers in El Paso and elsewhere by crippling a burgeoning industry with untapped potential. 

Using a political scare tactic, the authors of the legislation claim that Chinese-made drones somehow send secret information back to the Chinese government which then can be used against us in a future conflict. (One must wonder what kind of useful information an airborne drone can gather that a space borne satellite could not?)

Security concerns miss the mark

HR 2864 erroneously assumes all Chinese-made drones pose a security risk. This is simply not the case. Many American companies rely on safe, high-quality drones manufactured in China, specifically by industry leader DJI. H.R. 2864 would unnecessarily disrupt these businesses, hindering their ability to operate efficiently and compete globally.

Furthermore, the bill focuses on the origin of the drone, not how it’s used. A malicious actor could easily weaponize any drone, regardless of manufacturer. We need stricter regulations on drone use, not a blanket ban on a specific source. In fact, several security firms and organizations including the US Departments of Interior and Commerce have confirmed that the drones targeted by this legislation meet government security standards. The US seems to be the ONLY major country concerned with the security risks of these drones. None of our allies have proposed any type of similar legislation.

Crippling a nascent industry

The drone industry is poised for significant growth, with applications that are revolutionizing everyday life. Imagine a pizza delivered by a drone, a search and rescue mission aided by one equipped with a thermal camera, or a farmer using a drone to monitor the health of their crops. Here are just a few examples of how drones are taking flight in various sectors:

 •   Delivery: Drone delivery services are in their early stages, but hold promise for quick and efficient “last-mile” deliveries.

•   Search and Rescue: Equipped with thermal imaging, drones can locate missing people in difficult terrain, saving valuable time. In fact this is a reality in El Paso right now.

•   Precision Agriculture: Drones help farmers monitor crops, identify issues such as insect infestations, and optimize resources, leading to better yields.

•   Public Safety: Law enforcement utilizes drones for patrol, surveillance, and search warrants, while fire departments use them to assess wildfires.

•   Infrastructure Inspection: Drones navigate dangerous structures like bridges and wind turbines, capturing detailed images for early detection of damage.

•   Entertainment: Drones are popular for stunning aerial photography and videography, perfect for capturing unique perspectives. You have probably seen a drone shot in a car commercial and not realized it.

•   Research: Several Departments at UTEP and NMSU are right now actively using drones for research purposes.

Estimates suggest hundreds of local and thousands of drone owners nationwide would be impacted by this legislation, many of them hobbyists and small businesses without the resources to purchase newer, more expensive replacements.

A smarter path forward

Instead of the knee-jerk H.R. 2864, we should develop robust cybersecurity measures to protect our airspace.  Drone registration programs and mandatory pilot licensing can ensure safe operation. Additionally, investing in drone detection and identification technologies would be far more effective in addressing real or imagined security threats.

El Paso legislators can help make our community a leader in drone-related business and research. Let’s not clip the wings of innovation with misguided legislation. We need common-sense regulations that promote safety and growth, not a one-size-fits-all approach that grounds progress.

Tim Holt is a retired educator and local photographer, whose drone-created photographs have won numerous awards.