Drones and Unmanned Aerial Systems

More about the book

This book addresses the regulatory challenges surrounding Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) or Remotely-Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS), which significantly impact privacy, security, and fundamental liberties. Commonly referred to as “drones,” their initial military applications included reconnaissance, surveillance, and extrajudicial executions. However, their use is expanding into civilian and humanitarian sectors, encompassing diverse activities such as news gathering, aerial inspections, environmental mapping, crop spraying, and search and rescue operations. The civil application of drones is increasingly evident in the European Union and the US, marking a potential technological revolution. The rise of next-generation “recreational” drones indicates that they will soon be marketed like any other consumer product. Public perception of this technology is evolving; while drones are being embraced for humanitarian purposes, they also reflect contemporary postmodern governance. This work is particularly relevant for researchers in Criminology and Criminal Justice focusing on surveillance, security, privacy, and technology. Additionally, it offers a criminological perspective on related legal matters, including privacy law, aviation law, international criminal law, and comparative law.