Pentagon-based camera drones are cheaper and less expensive than Chinese-made cameras that need to be changed, according to a US government report in the Financial Times.
A memorandum from officials at the Interior Department, which operates the largest non-deployed U.S. military unit, warns that so-called “Blue drones” are not sufficient to carry out vital maintenance work.
The Pentagon spent more than $ 13m making drones that government agencies could use instead of manufacturing or assembling in China. But the complaints about their prices and their performance show the hardships the US has been facing in trying to get rid of Chinese technology without obvious American means.
The memo, written by staff at the upcoming Januaryware Biden staff of Biden, states: “Just have ‘Blue UAS [unmanned aerial systems]’approved, reduces DoI’s energy efficiency by 95 percent. . . The tags are designed to be a real DoD [Department of Defense] the target is set and will meet approximately 20% of the DoI’s mission requirements. ”
It goes on to warn that with an average price of $ 2,100, drones cost between eight and 14 dollars more than the aircraft the department could have previously purchased.
In 2019, Trump administration everyone’s stability of 810 department drones because they all had Chinese parts.
The move was part of a move to force the United States to use sophisticated technology, including 5G devices manufactured by Chinese company Huawei, for fear that Beijing could use such devices in a hostile manner.
Since the 2019 law, departmental authorities have been able to restart drone aircraft by carrying out flames to prevent wildfires, but they have not been able to purchase new aircraft or start operating other aircraft such as tracking wildlife.
Members of Congress, meanwhile, are discussing ways to prevent public funds from being used to buy drones manufactured or assembled in China.
The Pentagon has for years been working with private companies to make five drones that are said to be used by government agencies.
But according to a Department of Defense report last year, at least four still have large Chinese shares, including boards.
An official said Biden’s supervisors were reviewing their entire military base to determine which planes were able to fly, but had not yet repealed the order.
The Interior Department declined to comment.
Andrew Musto, Deputy Director at the Defense Innovation Unit, a Pentagon arm that assisted in the production of the drones, said: “These machines… simply by establishing a fast-paced UAS business strategy for the government. ”
He also said that DoD is trying to reduce costs and improve the capacity of drones which helped to meet the needs of other departments.
While officials were discussing the safety of flying existing state drones, DoI insiders warned that legal action was not taking place.
“What is happening here is preventing the department from complying with regulations such as the John D Dingell Jr Conservation, Management and Recreation Act,” he said. Among other things, this encourages the establishment and maintenance of major government facilities.
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