UNCLASSIFIED ROUTINE R 271307Z JUL 16 FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC TO ALNAV INFO SECNAV WASHINGTON DC CNO WASHINGTON DC CMC WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS ALNAV 052/16 MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/JUL// SUBJ/GUIDANCE ON PROCUREMENT AND OPERATION OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS// REF/A/DOC/OPNAVINST 3710.7U/NAVAL AIR TRAINING AND OPERATING PROCEDURES STANDARDIZATION (NATOPS) GENERAL FLIGHT AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS MANUAL/01MAR04// REF/B/DOC/FAA AC 00-1.1A/FAA ADVISORY CIRCULAR ON PUBLIC AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS/12FEB14// REF/C/DOC/NAVAIRINST 13034.1E/FLIGHT CLEARANCE POLICY FOR AIR VEHICLES AND AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS/30MAR15// REF/D/DOC/DODI 4540.01/USE OF INTERNATIONAL AIRSPACE BY U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT AND FOR MISSILE AND PROJECTILE FIRINGS/02JUN15// REF/E/DOC/SECNAVINST 5000.2E/DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY IMPLEMENTATION AND OPERATION OF THE DEFENSE ACQUISITION SYSTEM AND THE JOINT CAPABILITIES INTEGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM/01SEP11// REF/F/DOC/SECNAVINST 5400.15C CH-1/DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, ACQUISITION, ASSOCIATED LIFE-CYCLE MANAGEMENT, AND LOGISTICS RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITY/02DEC11// REF/G/DOC/OPNAVINST 3750.6S/NAVAL AVIATION SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/13MAY14// REF/H/DOC/COMNAVAIRFORINST 4790.2B CH-1/NAVAL AVIATION MAINTENANCE PROGRAM/15JUN13// REF/I/DOC/FAA ORDER 8900.1/FLIGHT STANDARDS INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM// REF/J/DOC/MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT CONCERNING THE OPERATION OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS IN THE NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM/16SEP13// RMKS/1. This message promotes awareness of established policies associated with the procurement and operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to include commercially available UAS, commonly referred to as drones, purchased using government funds or intended to support a government purpose. Regardless of how procured, compliance with airworthiness, operator training and certification, and airspace access requirements is mandatory to effectively manage potential risks and ensure safety in all UAS operations. 2. All aircraft and air systems, which include UAS of any size, that are owned, leased, operated, used, tested, demonstrated, designed, or modified by a Department of Navy (DON) activity where there is the intent or potential for flight must have an airworthiness approval. Per reference (a), all U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps owned or leased aircraft, both manned and unmanned, including pre-accepted aircraft and any other public aircraft operation as defined in reference (b) operated by or for DON, must have an airworthiness approval in the form of a flight clearance issued or promulgated by Commander, Naval Air Systems Command (COMNAVAIRSYSCOM) per reference (c). Exceptions to the need for a flight clearance are provided in reference (c). 3. With no intent to limit innovation, research and development, prototyping, experimentation, demonstration or other benefit that operation of UAS may provide, all U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps units and commands shall comply with existing policies and regulations, to include those contained in references (a) through (j), prior to the procurement or operation of any UAS. Current policy and regulations relating to UAS will continue to evolve to enable rapid innovation while ensuring any risks are understood and effectively managed. Consultation and coordination with the points of contact listed in paragraph 4 is highly encouraged prior to acquiring or operating UAS. 4. Points of contact a. For general information about airworthiness requirements: Mr. Rich Adams, AIR 4.0P, 301-342-8297, richard.adams@navy.mil. b. For information regarding airspace access requirements (U.S. National Airspace, International Airspace, and Foreign Sovereign Airspace): Mr. Ray Lewis, OPNAV N98, 703-614-2641, ray.lewis@navy.mil. c. For information regarding safety reporting requirements: Mr. Kimball Thompson, Deputy Director Aviation Safety Programs, Naval Safety Center, 757- 444-3520 x7226, edward.thompson@navy.mil. d. For information regarding program of record UAS: Mr. Patrick Buckley, DPEO(UW) for UAS Programs, 301-757-6308, patrick.buckley@navy.mil. e. For information regarding rapid development of UAS capabilities including non-program of record UAS operator training and qualification requirements: COMNAVAIRSYSCOM Naval Air Welfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) AIRWorks Project Management Office, Mr. Robert Smith, 301-342-0146, robert.b.smith5@navy.mil; NAWCAD AIRWorks Project Management Office, Mr. Kenneth Morton, 760-939-8382, kenneth.l.morton@navy.mil. f. For information regarding UAS operations in accordance with OPNAVINST 3710.7U, NATOPS General Flight and Operating Instructions: LCDR Scott Lowe, CNAP N455, 619-545-2845, scott.lowe@navy.mil. 5. Released by Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy.// BT #0001 NNNN UNCLASSIFIED//