Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has called for a drone detection system to be sent to New York and New Jersey after a series of mysterious drones disrupted airspace in recent weeks and even led to a temporary airport closure led during the weekend. .
Schumer submitted the request to the Department of Homeland Security on Sunday, two days after New York’s Stewart International Airport was closed due to multiple drone sightings nearby. He pushed for the Robin Radar Systems for their “360-degree technology,” which he said has a better chance of detecting the drones compared to linear systems.
The unidentified drones have been spotted in the Northeast, with a significant number over New Jersey.
Schumer told reporters that it is “remarkable” that despite the large number of sightings, “we have more questions than answers.”
“Some drones are small, some drone flight patterns are erratic,” Schumer said. “Multiple drones flying together can confuse a traditional radar system, so this new technology can really give us the answers we need.”
Friday’s airport closure prompted New York Governor Kathy Hochul to call for federal help. She said on Sunday that the drone detection system is not enough.
“I’m grateful for the support, but we need more,” Hochul wrote on X. “Congress must pass a law that gives us the power to deal directly with the 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 agencies the authority to counter drone activity.
Currently, only federal agencies have the legal authority to detect drones, Schumer noted. He said he would also push legislation to expand the rights of state and local law enforcement agencies to use software to detect the unmanned aerial devices.
There is no drone registration system, which makes it very difficult to find out who is responsible for the drones.
“No one thinks they’re from a foreign government, and no one thinks they’re doing any harm right now by following the patterns,” Schumer said. “But we certainly want to get the answers to the questions first, and then we will take further action.”
The FBI has opened an investigation and deployed visual surveillance teams across New Jersey, a senior National Security Council official said.
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said in an interview on ABC News’ “This Week” Sunday morning that he had seen drones flying over his own home. He criticized authorities for not answering questions about the unusual development, saying misinformation filled the vacuum.
He specifically referenced Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., who falsely told Fox News that the drones came from an Iranian “mothership” off the East Coast. The Ministry of Defense denied the claim.
“You can’t have conspiracy theorists filling the space,” Christie said. “But the Biden administration and state authorities need to be louder and let people know exactly what they are doing.”
