Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York has ordered drone detection systems to be installed in New York and New Jersey after a series of mysterious drones disrupted the skies in recent weeks and even caused temporary airport closures over the weekend. I requested that it be sent. .
Schumer made the request to the Department of Homeland Security on Sunday, two days after multiple drone sightings near New York’s Stewart International Airport led to its closure. He promoted the Robin radar system as a “360-degree technology” that has a higher chance of detecting drones than linear systems.
Unidentified drones have been spotted throughout the Northeast, with a significant number of them seen over New Jersey.
Schumer told reporters it was “remarkable” that despite the number of sightings, “there are more questions than answers.”
“Some drones are small. Some have erratic flight patterns,” Schumer said. “Multiple drones flying together can confuse traditional radar systems. That’s why this new technology can really give us the answers we need.”
Following Friday’s airport closure, New York Governor Kathy Hochul asked the federal government for help. She said Sunday that drone detection systems alone are not enough.
“We appreciate the help, but we need more,” Hochul wrote to X. “Congress must pass legislation that gives us the authority to deal directly with drones.”
Hochul said the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act would strengthen the Federal Aviation Administration’s oversight of drones while giving state and local law enforcement the authority to counter drone activity. Ta.
Currently, only federal agencies have the legal authority to detect drones, Schumer noted. He said he would also push for legislation that would expand the ability of state and local law enforcement agencies to use software to detect unmanned aircraft.
The lack of a drone registration system makes it extremely difficult to trace the person responsible for the drone.
“No one thinks they’re coming from a foreign government, and no one thinks they’re causing any harm at this point by following the pattern,” Schumer said. “But first we want to get answers to our questions and then we will take further action.”
The FBI has launched an investigation and has deployed visual surveillance teams across New Jersey, according to a senior National Security Council official.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said in an interview on ABC News’ “This Week” Sunday morning that he saw a drone over his home. He criticized authorities for not answering questions about the unusual development as false information filled the vacuum.
He specifically mentioned Rep. Jeff Van Drew (RN.J.), who falsely stated on Fox News that the drones were coming from an Iranian “mother ship” off the East Coast. The Department of Defense denied this claim.
“Conspiracy theorists can’t fill that space,” Christie said. “But the Biden administration and state officials need to speak up more and let people know exactly what they are doing.”
