Drones (UAS) in Research
Overview
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly referred to as drones, are increasingly used in research for imaging, environmental monitoring, remote sensing, engineering, precision agriculture, infrastructure inspection, and other scientific applications.
Unlike many types of research equipment, drones may be subject to complex federal laws, regulations, national security restrictions, export controls, and sponsor requirements. Depending on the manufacturer, technical capabilities, intended use, and research activity, additional research security or export control considerations may apply.
This guidance supplements applicable University policies, including the University's Drone Safety Policy, and addresses the research security and export control considerations associated with the use of drones in research. Procurement, operational approval, aviation safety, and other institutional requirements are managed through the appropriate University offices.
The Office of Research Security (ORS) assists researchers in identifying applicable research security and export control requirements associated with drone-related research activities.
REQUEST AN EXPORT CONTROL REVIEW
Contact ORS Before You
Contact ORS before you:
- Take, ship, hand-carry, or otherwise transfer a drone outside the United States.
- Allow foreign persons access to an export-controlled drone or associated technical information.
- Share non-public drone software, source code, technical information, or technical data with foreign persons or organizations.
- Conduct research involving drones manufactured by organizations subject to U.S. government restrictions or national security determinations.
- Send or return a drone, component, software, or related technology to a foreign manufacturer or supplier for repair or servicing.
- Are uncertain whether export control, research security, sponsor, or other federal requirements apply.
Note: Drones are subject to an evolving federal regulatory and national security landscape. Depending on the manufacturer, intended use, funding source, and research activity, additional federal or institutional requirements may apply beyond traditional export control regulations. Early consultation with ORS helps identify potential research security considerations before research begins.
Key Considerations
Unlike many types of research equipment, drones may be subject to multiple federal authorities that address export controls, national security, procurement restrictions, telecommunications, and federally sponsored research.
Depending on the drone, manufacturer, technical capabilities, intended use, and research activity, these requirements may affect:
- International use or travel.
- International shipments.
- Foreign person access.
- Software and technical information.
- Research collaborations.
- Procurement or servicing involving certain manufacturers.
Researchers should consult ORS whenever they are uncertain whether research security or export control requirements apply.
Taking a drone outside the United States, shipping a drone internationally, or using a drone in another country may constitute an export under U.S. export control regulations.
Depending on the drone, destination, recipient, and intended use, export licenses or other government authorizations may be required.
Researchers should contact ORS before taking research drones outside the United States or shipping drones internationally.
Some drones, associated software, or technical information may be subject to restrictions on access by foreign persons.
Providing a foreign person access to controlled technology, source code, or technical information associated with a drone may constitute a deemed export under U.S. export control regulations.
Researchers should consult ORS whenever foreign persons will operate, maintain, program, or otherwise require access to export-controlled drones or related technical information.
Research involving drones frequently includes software, firmware, source code, engineering documentation, technical data, and other non-public technical information.
Depending on the applicable regulations and research activity, sharing this information with foreign persons or organizations may require additional export control review.
Researchers should contact ORS before sharing non-public drone-related software, source code, technology, or technical information with foreign persons or organizations.
Certain drone manufacturers, suppliers, and related organizations are subject to U.S. Government restrictions or national security determinations.
Research involving these organizations may require additional institutional review or may be subject to federal restrictions depending on the specific activity.
ORS can assist researchers in identifying applicable research security and export control considerations and perform Restricted Entity Screening, when appropriate.
Related Guidance
| Related Guidance | Description |
|---|---|
| Purchase of Research Equipment, Materials, Software & Technology | Guidance for purchasing research equipment, software, technology, and other research assets that may require research security or export control review. |
| Software & Encryption | Guidance for developing, acquiring, using, sharing, storing, or transferring software, source code, encryption, and related technologies. |
| International Transfers (Shipments, Hand-Carry & Electronic Transmissions) | Guidance for shipping, hand-carrying, or electronically transferring research equipment, software, technology, and other research assets outside the United States. |
| Restricted Entity Screening | Learn how organizations and individuals are screened against applicable U.S. government restricted party and entity lists. |
| Export Control Classification | Learn how equipment, materials, software, technology, and technical information are classified under U.S. export control regulations. |
| Foreign Person Participating in Research | Guidance for employing foreign national faculty, staff, postdoctoral researchers, and students participating in research activities. |
| Technology Control Plans | Learn when Technology Control Plans (TCPs) may be used to protect export-controlled technology, technical information, and research activities. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all research drones require ORS review?
No. Most research involving commercially available drones does not require review by ORS. However, research involving international activities, export-controlled drones, restricted manufacturers, foreign person access, or other research security considerations may require additional review.
Can I take a University drone outside the United States?
Possibly.
Taking a drone outside the United States may constitute an export under U.S. export control regulations. Researchers should consult ORS before traveling internationally with research drones.
Can foreign persons operate research drones?
Possibly.
Whether foreign persons may operate or access research drones depends on the applicable export control regulations, the drone, associated technology, and the research activity.
Does export control apply to drone software or technical information?
Possibly.
Export control regulations may apply to non-public software, source code, technical information, engineering documentation, and other technical data associated with research drones.
Why do some drone manufacturers require additional review?
Certain manufacturers are subject to U.S. Government restrictions or national security determinations. Depending on the proposed research activity, additional institutional review or federal restrictions may apply.
Need Assistance?
Contact ORS if you are uncertain whether export control, research security, federal sponsor, or other federal requirements apply to the purchase, use, transfer, servicing, or international use of a research drone.