33 U.S.C. § 576c Corps of Engineers Operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems

• Library: United States Statutes
• Edition: 2023 Edition
• Currency: Current through P.L. 118-19 (published on www.congress.gov on 10/06/2023)

(a) In general

The Secretary shall designate an individual, within the headquarters office of the Corps of Engineers, who shall serve as the coordinator and principal approving official for developing the process and procedures by which the Corps of Engineers-

(1) operates and maintains small unmanned aircraft (as defined in section 331 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 ( 49 U.S.C. 40101 ¹ note)) systems in support of civil works and emergency response missions of the Corps of Engineers; and

(2) acquires, applies for, and receives any necessary Federal Aviation Administration authorizations for such operations and systems.

(b) Requirements

A small unmanned aircraft system acquired, operated, or maintained for carrying out the missions specified in subsection (a) shall be operated in accordance with regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration as a civil aircraft or public aircraft, at the discretion of the Secretary, and shall be exempt from regulations of the Department of Defense, including the Department of the Army, governing such system.