In Fiscal Year 2017, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) gave the Department of Energy the authority to protect facilities from unauthorized unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).  As a result, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has established “No Drone Zones” to protect important facilities across the United States.

The NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the Department of Energy, is responsible for the protection of facilities from UAS that may pose a threat to the safety or security of assets or personnel.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has established No Drone Zones at NNSA facilities that contain Category I Special Nuclear Material, the highest risk category as defined by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

FAA B4UFly smartphone application screenshot of the airspace around Pantex in Texas
FAA B4UFly smartphone application screenshot of the airspace around Pantex in Texas

 

NNSA has the authority at these sites to disrupt, seize or exercise control, confiscate, or use reasonable force to disable, damage, or destroy unauthorized UAS at these facilities.

The NNSA No Drone Zones include:

  • Los Alamos National Laboratory
  • Nevada National Security Site
  • Pantex
  • Y-12

The NNSA has conducted multiple public outreach initiatives to inform the public and surrounding communities about the flight restrictions.  Examples of the outreach conducted by the NNSA in July 2018 and September 2021 are attached for reference.

There are no noted distribution restrictions for these publicly available documents from the NNSA.

Author- NNSA