Congressional leaders pressed federal authorities to present tangible solutions for addressing the ongoing crisis in New York and New Jersey. drone sightings

Drone deliveries are taking to the skies.

Federal regulators and safety officials faced scrutiny from lawmakers on Tuesday, as members of Congress pressed them for answers about the recent surge in unidentified drone incursions over New Jersey and New York, as well as broader issues related to the government’s counter-drone initiatives.

Earlier today, law enforcement officials testified before Congress on the pressing issue of “Safeguarding the Homeland from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.” The three officers, representing the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of Homeland Security, delivered a sobering presentation that highlighted the growing threat posed by these increasingly sophisticated drones. What steps are being taken to ensure the safety of travelers, goods and people at the Customs and Border Protection (CBP)? The Department of Justice acknowledged that despite efforts, they were unable to pinpoint the source of numerous large unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) spotted flying over two states in recent weeks.

The FBI is actively investigating the collection of reported drone sightings, according to a representative who responded to questions from August Pfluger, cochairman of the House subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Regulation Enforcement, and Intelligence.

“Let’s start by looking at current events,” said Pfluger, “and then I’ll pose an open-ended question. What’s happening in New Jersey?”

The Assistant Director of the FBI’s Vital Incident Response Group, Robert Wheeler Jr., responded, “We are actively investigating the scenario you discussed.” While he’s unable to pinpoint liability, he noted that the FBI is scrutinizing data, including photographs and videos shared by civilians, in an effort to uncover clues about the enigmatic drones’ provenance. The objects reported are often likened to commercial drones, with some appearing roughly the same size.

The FBI continues to collaborate with state and local authorities to investigate the origins of the reported drone sightings, emphasizing its commitment to finding solutions. The agency has also established a dedicated tip line, allowing the public to contribute crucial information by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Pfluger persisted questioning Wheeler about the unidentified unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sightings, including instances that had taken place above sensitive military bases and other critical national security sites, such as President-elect Donald Trump’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.

“Why can’t we take action against these drones that are hovering above sensitive websites?”

The responsibility for addressing counter-drone measures on military websites would ultimately fall under the purview of the Department of Defense. Only the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, Defense, and Health have explicit statutory authority to employ counter-drone measures, including compelling a drone to land.

Lawmakers from the House of Representatives’ Subcommittees on Counterterrorism, Regulation Enforcement, and Intelligence, as well as Transportation and Maritime Safety, jointly conducted a listening session to scrutinize the effectiveness of U.S. counter-drone exercises. borders with Mexico and Canada.

Keith Jones, Deputy Government Assistant Commissioner for Customs and Border Safety’s Air and Marine Operations, noted a significant surge in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sightings along the US-Mexico border in recent times, many of which are believed to indicate illegal drug cartel activities.

“In FY2024, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) deployed approximately 60 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) near the border, a mere fraction of the total number of drone sightings the agency documented during this period.”

According to Jones, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported approximately 45,000 apprehensions within the Southwest border region. Of the total quantity, approximately 2,500 incidents occurred, resulting in a drone entering U.S. airspace. airspace. So now we’re discussing a tiny portion of something much larger? Much of the surveillance is occurring outside of our territorial boundaries, in international airspace. That complication significantly hinders efforts at mitigation.

Regarding the vast majority of drone sightings, which typically remain outside US territorial waters, CBP primarily focuses on ensuring the security and integrity of our borders while also collaborating with international authorities to address any potential threats or concerns. Airspace?

“We enjoy seamless communication with our international partners, fostering a healthy exchange.”

Mexican authorities face pressure to respond quickly to reported drone sightings near the border, but according to Jones, the situation is complex and challenging for local law enforcement agencies.

Many instances occur in sparsely populated regions? Accessing them proves to be quite a challenge. They’re additionally managed by cartels. By the time regulation enforcement responds, they often face significant challenges, he noted. “It’s not due to a lack of endeavor; rather, the challenging environment is the primary obstacle.”

Legislation proposed by Representative Phil Roe (R-TN) and Senator James Lankford (R-OK) seeks to bolster the federal government’s power to combat emerging threats from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Brad Wiegmann, Deputy Assistant Legal Counselor for National Security, stated under oath that the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have been solely equipped to present counter-drone measures at a limited number of various sporting contests and specific events that occur throughout the nation annually. A top law enforcement official is urging Congress to grant expanded powers to state, local, and tribal authorities, empowering them to utilize counter-drone technologies at public events.

The FBI annually tracks a wide range of specific incidents, while the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also covers some of these occurrences. We’re discussing major events such as the Super Bowl, the World Series, and the Indianapolis 500 – that kind of thing.

However, these situations would hardly be isolated events susceptible to potential threats from assaults or drones. There are numerous soccer and baseball video game titles, with multiple iterations of soccer video games, as well as games focused on the prestigious World Cup event.

Legislators questioned whether federal regulatory agencies possessed the necessary resources to effectively counter the threat posed by drones operated by malicious individuals. Republican Consultant Carlos Gimenez of Florida inquired whether the three officers possessed the most advanced counter-drone technology available to their respective organizations?

Properly positioned across the corner, if not already here, lies AI. While some methods employed to counter existing drone threats may prove ineffective against AI-powered ones. Since they won’t be piloted, he said. Can we leverage our operational assets to effectively take out these targets?

Jones declined to provide a response, citing no obligation to offer a formal assessment of the Customs and Border Protection’s counter-drone capabilities during the public congressional hearing.

When asked about the FBI’s price range for counter-drone operations, Wheeler clarified that his company allocates approximately $500,000 towards this endeavor. The reported cost of this endeavour roughly equates to the entire budget allocated by the FBI, approximately $11 million.

“That’s nothing. “Why is our ranking so low?”

Representative Anthony D’Esposito of New York concurred that the company was allocating insufficient resources to counter-drone initiatives. A staggering $500,000 in drone-related spending allocations? “I’m astonished by the sheer absurdity of that idea,” he said bluntly. “Drones are rapidly advancing and becoming increasingly ubiquitous.” The risks have been significantly heightened.

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