[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 17 (Friday, February 4, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S566]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          FAA REAUTHORIZATION

  Mr. HOEVEN. Mr. President, I would like to speak this morning in 
support of amendment No. 32. This amendment introduces new language to 
section 320 of the Federal Aviation Administration's authorization bill 
concerning unmanned aerial systems. It has been offered by Senator 
Ensign, Senator Conrad, and myself.
  It calls for the FAA to develop a process to integrate unmanned 
aerial systems--unmanned aerial vehicles and remotely piloted 
aircraft--into the National Airspace System.
  We have all seen on television and read in the media about the 
remarkable role unmanned aerial vehicles and remotely piloted aircraft 
are playing overseas in the security of our Nation in the war on 
terror. They achieve military objectives without putting our men and 
women in uniform in harm's way.
  Unmanned aerial systems will continue to play that vital role in our 
Nation's security abroad, but they are also poised to play a big role 
here at home in other important areas as well--areas such as enhancing 
our ability to patrol our borders and secure vital infrastructure, 
fight crime, detect wildfires, provide valuable crop data for our 
farmers, and respond to emergencies such as floods and fires.
  I can give you a practical and personal example of their value. Two 
years ago, when my home State, along with our neighbor to the east, 
Minnesota, was battling flooding in the Red River Valley--many of you 
throughout the country saw this on television--Predator aircraft on 
loan from Customs and Border Patrol gave us real-time data on the 
status of ice jams and overland flooding all along the river and made a 
real difference in helping us to fight those floods and protect our 
citizens.
  That vital information enabled both States to deploy resources in a 
timely and efficient manner and made a real difference for the people 
of North Dakota and Minnesota and throughout the region. Just a few 
years ago, that would have been the stuff of science fiction, a vision 
of the future. But today it is reality, and we can do much more.
  In fact, unmanned aerial systems are about just that--they are about 
the future of aviation technology in America, and I am proud to say our 
State of North Dakota is playing an important role in that endeavor.
  The Grand Forks Air Force Base in northeastern North Dakota is 
already home to Predator B aircraft that fly missions for Customs and 
Border Protection, and it will soon be home to the Global Hawk as well. 
Right now, overseas, Predator missions are being operated by our North 
Dakota Air Guard in Fargo, ND.
  The Grand Forks Air Force Base is also a partner with the State's 
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Center of Excellence and UND--the University 
of North Dakota--School of Aerospace. These programs provide access to 
state-of-the-art training and technologies for the base.
  Our Center of Excellence operates up to nine unmanned aircraft and is 
in the process of installing UAS simulators and training programs to 
prepare a generation of young pilots for this rapidly growing field.
  The program is designed to combine the visionary thinking of 
researchers with the practical energy of entrepreneurs and businesses. 
In fact, the commercial applications of unmanned aircraft and the 
opportunities for America's aviation industry are enormous.
  UAV spending will more than double over the next decade, from current 
worldwide UAV expenditures of $4.9 billion annually to $11.5 billion 
annually, totaling just over $80 billion for the next 10 years, 
according to a 2010 Teal Group market study.
  Here and abroad, our Nation has led the way in this breakthrough 
technology. But we need to do more. We need to seize the opportunity, 
and this amendment provides our opportunity to not only maintain but 
build on that leadership position.
  This amendment will authorize the FAA to set up pilot projects in the 
United States that will develop a plan for these aircraft to fly safely 
either concurrently or in layered air zones in our Nation's skies.
  We need them to develop air traffic requirements, as well as 
certification and flight standards, for unmanned aerial systems to fly 
in the national airspace.
  We are already flying UAVs in airspace all over the world. Now we 
need to open the skies for them right here at home to make our Nation 
more secure, our communities safer, our economy more dynamic, and 
create jobs and opportunity throughout our country. If we do not, you 
can be sure other nations will. The goal is to make UAVs, with all 
their remarkable capabilities, a fully functioning, fully empowered 
component of America's aviation system.
  American industry and ingenuity can continue to lead the way. They 
can continue to lead the way forward in the world of aviation, but we 
must provide the environment that enables our aviation industry to do 
it right here at home. This amendment will help us do that. I strongly 
urge support for this amendment.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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