---
kind: "section"
citation: "50 U.S.C. § 3515a"
title: "50"
title_heading: "War and National Defense"
number: "3515a"
heading: "Authority regarding unmanned aircraft systems"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/50/3515a"
units:
  - "Chapter 46 — Central Intelligence Agency"
---

# §3515a. Authority regarding unmanned aircraft systems

- (a) **Authority to intercept—** Notwithstanding [section 46502 of title 49](/usc/49/46502.md) or sections 32, 1030, and 1367 and chapters [119](/usc/18/chptI/ch119.md) and [206](/usc/18/chptII/ch206.md) of title 18, the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) may take, and may authorize personnel of the [Agency](/usc/50/3501.md?p=1) with assigned duties under [section 3515 of this title](/usc/50/3515.md) that include the security or protection of people, facilities, or assets within the United States to take, the actions described in [subsection (b)(1)](#b-1) that are necessary to mitigate a credible threat (as defined by the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2), in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation) to safety or security in any specially designated area posed by an unmanned aircraft system.
- (b) **Authorized actions—**
  - (1) **Actions described to ensure safety and security—** The actions described in this paragraph are the following:
    - (A) During the operation of the unmanned aircraft system, detect, identify, monitor, and track the unmanned aircraft system, without prior consent, including by means of intercept or other access of a wire communication, an oral communication, or an electronic communication, used to control the unmanned aircraft system.
    - (B) Warn the operator of the unmanned aircraft system, including by passive or active, and by direct or indirect, physical, electronic, radio, and electromagnetic means.
    - (C) Disrupt control of the unmanned aircraft system, without prior consent, including by disabling the unmanned aircraft system by intercepting, interfering, or causing interference with wire, oral, electronic, or radio communications used to control the unmanned aircraft system.
    - (D) Seize or exercise control of the unmanned aircraft system.
    - (E) Seize or otherwise confiscate the unmanned aircraft system.
    - (F) Use reasonable force, if necessary, to disable, damage, or destroy the unmanned aircraft system.
  - (2) **Limitation on actions—**
    - (A) **Duration—** In carrying out [subsection (a)](#a), the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) may take an action described in subparagraphs [(B)](#b-1-B) through [(F)](#b-1-F) of paragraph (1) only for the period necessary to mitigate a credible threat to safety or security identified in [subsection (a)](#a).
    - (B) **Compliance—** In carrying out this section, the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) shall comply with the guidance developed under [subsection (c)](#c).
- (c) **Guidance—**
  - (1) **Coordination and consultation—**
    - (A) **Coordination—** The [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) shall develop guidance for carrying out [subsection (a)](#a) and for conducting research, testing, training, and evaluation under [subsection (e)](#e) in coordination with the Secretary of Transportation and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure that any such actions or research, testing, training, and evaluation do not adversely affect or interfere with the safety and efficiency of the national airspace system.
    - (B) **Consultation—** In developing guidance for carrying out [subsection (a)](#a) and for conducting research, testing, training, and evaluation under [subsection (e)](#e), the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) shall request consultation by the Secretary of Commerce and the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. The Secretary of Commerce and the Chairman may each provide such consultation during the 180-day period beginning on the date of the request by the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2).
  - (2) **Requirements—** The guidance under [paragraph (1)](#c-1) shall include requirements that—
    - (A) the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration advise on the types of activities covered by [subsection (b)(1)](#b-1);
    - (B) the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) contact the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration through the appropriate channel if practicable before, or otherwise as soon as practicable after (but not later than 24 hours after), carrying out an action described in subparagraphs [(B)](#b-1-B) through [(F)](#b-1-F) of subsection (b)(1);
    - (C) the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) contact the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration through the appropriate channel before conducting research, testing, training, and evaluation under [subsection (e)](#e); and
    - (D) when taking an action described in [subsection (b)(1)](#b-1), all due consideration is given to—
      - (i) mitigating effects on privacy and civil liberties under the first and fourth amendments to the Constitution of the United States;
      - (ii) mitigating damage to, or loss of, real and personal property; and
      - (iii) mitigating any risk of personal injury or death.
  - (3) **Updates—** On an annual basis, the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2), in coordination with the Secretary of Transportation and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, shall review the guidance developed under [paragraph (1)](#c-1) and make any necessary updates.
- (d) **Specially designated areas—**
  - (1) **List—** The [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) shall make available to the congressional intelligence committees and the recipients specified in [paragraph (5)](#d-5) a list, which may be in classified form, of each area that the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2)—
    - (A) determines meets the criteria described in [paragraph (4)](#d-4); and
    - (B) designates as a specially designated area for purposes of this section.
  - (2) **Annual update—** Not later than March 31 each year, the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) shall make available to the congressional intelligence committees and the recipients specified in [paragraph (5)](#d-5) an updated list of specially designated areas under [paragraph (1)](#d-1).
  - (3) **Emergency updates—** If the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) determines that adding an area that meets the criteria described in [paragraph (4)](#d-4) to the list under [paragraph (1)](#d-1) is necessary to mitigate a credible threat to safety or security, the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) may update the list to include that area as a specially designated area covered by this section if the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) makes available to the congressional intelligence committees and the recipients specified in [paragraph (5)](#d-5) information regarding that area by not later than 7 days after making such determination.
  - (4) **Criteria described—** The criteria described in this paragraph are the following:
    - (A) The area is identified by the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2), in coordination with the Secretary of Transportation, with respect to potentially impacted airspace, through a risk-based assessment, as high-risk and a potential target for unlawful unmanned aircraft system-related activity.
    - (B) The area consists of—
      - (i) premises that—
        - (I) are owned, leased, or controlled by the [Agency](/usc/50/3501.md?p=1) or the Office of the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) of National Intelligence;
        - (II) are not eligible for protection from threats from unmanned aircraft systems by another department or [agency](/usc/50/3501.md?p=1) of the Federal Government that has authority to mitigate the threat of unmanned aircraft systems, including pursuant to [section 130i of title 10](/usc/10/130i.md); and
        - (III) directly relate to one or more functions authorized to be performed by the [Agency](/usc/50/3501.md?p=1) or the Office of the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) of National Intelligence under this chapter or the National Security Act of 1947 ([50 U.S.C. 3001](/usc/50/3001.md) et seq.);
      - (ii) one or more perimeters adjacent to such premises, as designated by the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2), in coordination with the Secretary of Transportation, based on the specific type of action described in [subsection (b)(1)](#b-1); and
      - (iii) the airspace above the premises and perimeters covered by clauses [(i)](#d-4-B-i) and [(ii)](#d-4-B-ii).
    - (C) The airspace specified in [subparagraph (B)(iii)](#d-4-B-iii) is restricted by a temporary flight restriction or covered by a determination under section 2209 of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 ([49 U.S.C. 44802](/usc/49/44802.md) note) or any other similar restriction applicable to unmanned aircraft system overflights determined appropriate by the Secretary of Transportation.
  - (5) **Specified recipients of list—** The designated recipients for purposes of this subsection are each of the following:
    - (A) The chairs and ranking minority members of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
    - (B) The chairs and ranking minority members of the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and of the Senate.
    - (C) The chairs and ranking minority members of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate.
    - (D) The chairs and ranking minority members of the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and of the Senate.
    - (E) For each committee specified in subparagraphs [(A)](#d-5-A), [(B)](#d-5-B), [(C)](#d-5-C), and [(D)](#d-5-D)—
      - (i) two staff members of the committee who have the required security clearances and are designated by the chair; and
      - (ii) two staff members of the committee who have the required security clearances and are designated by the ranking minority member.
- (e) **Research, testing, training, and evaluation—** The [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) may, consistent with [section 1805(g) of this title](/usc/50/1805.md?p=g), other Federal laws, and Presidential directives, conduct research, testing, training on, and evaluation of any equipment, including any electronic equipment, to determine the capability and utility of the equipment prior to the use of the equipment for any action carried out under [subsection (a)](#a).
- (f) **Privacy protections—**
  - (1) **Requirement—** Any interception or acquisition of, or access to, or maintenance or use of, information or communications to or from an unmanned aircraft system under this section shall be conducted—
    - (A) in a manner consistent with the first and fourth amendments to the Constitution of the United States and applicable provisions of Federal law; and
    - (B) only to the extent necessary to support an action described in [subsection (b)(1)](#b-1) taken to carry out the authority provided in [subsection (a)](#a).
  - (2) **Limit—** In carrying out [subsection (a)](#a), the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) may maintain records containing or regarding the content and dialing, signaling, routing, and addressing information associated with wire communications, oral communications, electronic communications, and radio communications, and may maintain parts or the whole of an unmanned aircraft system, only if—
    - (A) such maintenance is for the purpose of mitigating a credible threat, as described in [subsection (a)](#a), to safety or security of persons in a specially designated area; and
    - (B) such maintenance does not exceed a period of 180 days unless—
      - (i) the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) or the Attorney General determines a longer period—
        - (I) is necessary to directly support an ongoing security operation of the [Agency](/usc/50/3501.md?p=1) pursuant to [subsection (a)](#a); or
        - (II) is required to be maintained by the [Agency](/usc/50/3501.md?p=1) under Federal law;
      - (ii) the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) or the Attorney General has created a record before the end of such 180-day period providing the specific factual basis to support the determination based on the matters specified in either or both subclauses [(I)](#f-2-B-i-I) and [(II)](#f-2-B-i-II) of clause (i); and
      - (iii) the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) is in compliance with the reporting requirements under [subsection (g)(2)(B)](#g-2-B).
  - (3) **Destruction—** The [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) shall destroy any records or materials maintained under [paragraph (2)](#f-2) at the end of the period specified in such paragraph.
  - (4) **Transfer—**
    - (A) **Authorized disclosure—** Records or materials maintained under [paragraph (2)](#f-2) may not be disclosed outside of the [Agency](/usc/50/3501.md?p=1) or Department of Justice unless the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) or Attorney General determine that the disclosure of such records or materials—
      - (i) is necessary to investigate or prosecute a violation of Federal law;
      - (ii) is necessary to support the counter unmanned aircraft systems activities of another department or [agency](/usc/50/3501.md?p=1) of the Federal Government with authority to mitigate the threat of unmanned aircraft systems;
      - (iii) is necessary to comply with another provision of Federal law; or
      - (iv) is necessary to comply with an obligation to preserve materials during the course of litigation.
    - (B) **Requirement for recipient agency—** The recipient of records or materials pursuant to [subparagraph (A)](#f-4-A) shall—
      - (i) maintain the records or materials only for the purpose authorized under such subparagraph;
      - (ii) disclose the records or materials only for a purpose authorized under such subparagraph; and
      - (iii) destroy the records or parts or materials once such purpose no longer applies.
  - (5) **Certification—**
    - (A) **Agency—** Each time the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) carries out [subsection (a)](#a) by taking an action described in subparagraphs [(C)](#b-1-C) through [(F)](#b-1-F) of subsection (b)(1), the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) shall certify that the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) is in compliance with paragraphs (1) through (4) of this subsection. The [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) may only delegate the authority to make such certification to—
      - (i) the General Counsel or the Principal Deputy General Counsel; or
      - (ii) the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) of Operations or the Deputy [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) of Operations.
    - (B) **Retention—** Each certification made under [subparagraph (A)](#f-5-A) shall be retained by the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) for a period of at least seven years.
- (g) **Notifications and reports—**
  - (1) **Department of Justice notification—** Not later than 30 days after the date on which the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) carries out [subsection (a)](#a) by taking an action described in subparagraphs [(C)](#b-1-C) through [(F)](#b-1-F) of subsection (b)(1), the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) shall notify the Attorney General of such action.
  - (2) **Congressional reports—** Not later than 90 days after December 18, 2025, and every 90 days thereafter, the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) shall make available to the congressional intelligence committees and the recipients specified in [paragraph (3)](#g-3) a report that includes the following:
    - (A) With respect to each action described in subparagraphs [(B)](#b-1-B) through [(F)](#b-1-F) of subsection (b)(1) taken to carry out [subsection (a)](#a) during the period covered by the report, a description of—
      - (i) the action taken;
      - (ii) options considered by the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) to mitigate any identified effects to the national airspace system relating to such action, including the minimization of the use of any technology that disrupts the transmission of radio or electronic signals; and
      - (iii) whether any harm, damage, or loss to a person or to private property resulted from such action.
    - (B) A description of all records or materials that, as of the date of the report, are being maintained for a period exceeding 180 days pursuant to [subsection (f)(2)(B)](#f-2-B), and a copy of each record created pursuant to [clause (ii)](#f-2-B-ii) of such subsection relating to such maintenance.
    - (C) A copy of the guidance, policies, and procedures established by the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) in effect during the period covered by the report to address privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties issues implicated by actions taken by the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) in carrying out [subsection (a)](#a).
    - (D) Information on any violation of, or failure to comply with, this section during the period covered by the report, including a description of any such violation or failure.
  - (3) **Specified recipients of report—** The designated recipients for purposes of [paragraph (2)](#g-2) are each of the following:
    - (A) Each member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
    - (B) Each member of the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and of the Senate.
    - (C) Each member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate.
    - (D) Each member of the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and of the Senate.
    - (E) For each committee specified in subparagraphs [(A)](#g-3-A), [(B)](#g-3-B), [(C)](#g-3-C), and [(D)](#g-3-D)—
      - (i) five staff members of the committee who have the required security clearances and are designated by the chair; and
      - (ii) five staff members of the committee who have the required security clearances and are designated by the ranking minority member.
- (h) **Forfeiture and tort claims—**
  - (1) **Forfeiture—**
    - (A) **Subject to forfeiture—** Any unmanned aircraft system described in [subsection (a)](#a) that is seized by the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) is subject to forfeiture to the United States.
    - (B) **Application—** The requirements for civil, criminal, or administrative forfeiture under applicable law or regulation shall apply to any forfeiture conducted under [subparagraph (A)](#h-1-A).
  - (2) **Tort claims—** [Chapter 171](/usc/28/chptVI/ch171.md) of title 28 shall apply to any claims for loss of property, injury, or death pursuant to actions taken pursuant to this section.
- (i) **Rules of construction—** Nothing in this section may be construed as—
  - (1) affecting the restrictions in [section 1805(g) of this title](/usc/50/1805.md?p=g);
  - (2) vesting in the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) any authority of the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Defense, or the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration;
  - (3) vesting in the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Defense, or the Administrator any authority of the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2);
  - (4) creating a new cause of action or any new rights, or waiving any defenses, that do not otherwise exist in law as of December 18, 2025;
  - (5) authorizing any official of a department or [agency](/usc/50/3501.md?p=1) of the Federal Government to conduct any search or seizure in a manner that violates the fourth amendment to the Constitution of the United States; or
  - (6) authorizing any actions that violate any provision of the Constitution of the United States, including the first and fourth amendments.
- (j) **Budget—** Together with the budget requests of the [Agency](/usc/50/3501.md?p=1) for each fiscal year after fiscal year 2026, or not later than 7 days after the date on which such a request is submitted to Congress, the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) shall submit to the congressional intelligence committees and the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives a consolidated funding display that identifies the funding source for actions to carry out [subsection (a)](#a). The funding display shall be in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex.
- (k) **Commencement of authority—** The [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) may not carry out [subsection (a)](#a) by taking an action described in [subsection (b)(1)](#b-1) until the date on which the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) has made available the first list under [subsection (d)(1)](#d-1).
- (l) **Suspension of authority—** If the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) fails to make available the updated list by the date required under [subsection (d)(2)](#d-2), the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) may not carry out [subsection (a)](#a) by taking an action described in [subsection (b)(1)](#b-1) until the date on which the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) makes available such updated list.
- (m) **Termination—** The authority to carry out this section shall terminate on December 31, 2027.
- (n) **Definitions—** In this section:
  - (1) **Congressional intelligence committees—** The term “congressional intelligence committees” means the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.
  - (2) **Radio communication—** The term “radio communication” has the meaning given that term in [section 153 of title 47](/usc/47/153.md).
  - (3) **Specially designated area—** The term “specially designated area” means an area designated by the [Director](/usc/50/3501.md?p=2) as a specially designated area for purposes of this section pursuant to [subsection (d)](#d).
  - (4) **Title 18 terms—** The terms “electronic communication”, “intercept”, “oral communication”, and “wire communication” have the meanings given those terms in [section 2510 of title 18](/usc/18/2510.md).
  - (5) **United States—** The term “United States” has the meaning given that term in [section 5 of title 18](/usc/18/5.md).
  - (6) **Unmanned aircraft system—** The term “unmanned aircraft system” has the meaning given the term in [section 44801 of title 49](/usc/49/44801.md).

## Source credit

(June 20, 1949, ch. 227, § 15A, as added Pub. L. 119–60, div. F, title LXV, § 6502(b), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1620.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The National Security Act of 1947, referred to in subsec. (d)(4)(B)(i)(III), is act July 26, 1947, ch. 343, 61 Stat. 495, which is classified principally to chapter 44 (§ 3001 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

Section 2209 of the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016, referred to in subsec. (d)(4)(C), is section 2209 of Pub. L. 114–190, which is set out as a note under section 44802 of Title 49, Transportation.