Citing requests from other U.S. government agencies, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says it is establishing new restrictions on drone flights within the lateral boundaries of several military sites and modifying existing restrictions at a fourth site.
The changes, announced on Friday, will take effect June 1. They are intended to “address the potential threat posed by malicious drone operations by establishing unmanned aircraft system (UAS) specific airspace restrictions over select, national security–sensitive locations,” the FAA said.
The FAA’s order establishes new restrictions on drone flight below 400 ft at Naval Support Activity Monterey in California, Naval Air Station Kingsville in Tennessee and Naval Support Activity Orlando in Florida.
New modified restrictions at Naval Support Activity South Potomac in Indian Head, Maryland, involve a boundary change, the FAA said.
Drone flights are prohibited within these areas, with a few exceptions, and in those cases, the flights must be coordinated with the individual facility or the FAA, the agency said. Drone operators who violate the restrictions may be subject to civil penalties, criminal charges or other enforcement action.
