The Government Accountability Office has recommended that the U.S. Border Patrol agency craft guidance to manage data on the contributions of technology platforms or other assets to secure the southwest border.

GAO said Thursday it found that Border Patrol lacks “sufficient” guidance to validate the usability, reliability and accuracy of asset assists data that agents collect.

As of October, Border Patrol implemented multiple technologies such as mobile or remote video surveillance systems, integrated fixed towers, sensors, radars and cameras designed to increase security along the four southwest border states, GAO noted.

The government audit agency noted that border technology deployment programs have faced delays and that Border Patrol currently works to address cost and schedule challenges.

Border Patrol officials told GAO they will use the agency’s requirements management process to plan for future deployment of security systems along the border.

The agency is also producing a written RMP guidance document to outline the roles and responsibilities of station personnel throughout the process.

Karen Dunn Kelley, undersecretary for economic affairs at the Commerce Department, has been appointed to perform the nonexclusive duties and functions of the deputy secretary of commerce.

The department said Wednesday Kelley’s appointment was made in accordance with the Vacancies Reform Act and after the retirement of Ellen Herbst, who previously performed the deputy secretary’s responsibilities on a nonexclusive basis.

“Karen has decades of experience in the private sector managing diverse operations in addition to her leadership of the Economic and Statistics Administration,” said Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.

Kelley is a 35-year financial industry veteran who has spent majority of her career at global investment firm Invesco.

She also served on the boards at Carlow University, Magee Women’s Research Institute and Shady Side Academy.

House lawmakers have called on the Federal Aviation Administration to implement measures to help mitigate security risks from unmanned aircraft systems, FCW reported Wednesday.

Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Oregon) said at a Wednesday hearing of the House Transportation Committee’s aviation subcommittee that UAS platforms should be installed with remote detection and identification systems.

Earl Lawrence, executive director of FAA’s UAS integration office, told subcommittee members that the agency aims to move forward with its rulemaking activity related to the integration of drones into national airspace.

FAA Deputy Administrator Daniel Elwell said remote identification and tracking will be a key component of full UAS integration.

The hearing took place after the agency released findings of a study which showed that small UAS could inflict more damage on manned aircraft than birds of the same weight.

Some UAS industry representatives also attended the meeting and urged House lawmakers to address drone flight restrictions they believe harms commercial innovation, The Hill reported.

FAA currently restricts UAS flights over people, during nighttime and beyond the visual line of sight, but operators may apply for waivers from the limitations.

The Federal Aviation Administration plans to establish new requirements for drones to help mitigate collision and operational risks based on the results of a study released by the Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence.

A research team at ASSURE performed computer simulations and physical tests to examine potential damage to a manned aircraft in the event of a collision with a small unmanned aerial system and found that drone collisions inflicted more structural damage to the aircraft than bird strikes, FAA said Tuesday.

The sUAS Air-to-Air Collision Severity Evaluation Final Report also pointed to the drone’s stiffness as well as velocity and projectile mass as principal drivers of impact damage to the aircraft.

Researchers also examined the potential impact of drone collisions on the manned aircraft’s windshields, horizontal and vertical stabilizers and wing leading edges as well as the severity level of structural damage posed by unmanned aerial systems to the aircraft’s engine components and airframe.

The study also concluded that drone manufacturers should help reduce collision risks with other aircraft through the integration of “geo-fencing” and “detect-and-avoid” functionalities into their unmanned platforms.

FAA said ASSURE researchers intend to conduct more studies on collisions between drones and helicopters and other types of aircraft.

Mississippi State University oversees ASSURE that was selected by FAA in May 2015 as a UAS center of excellence.