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Congressional Hearing Reveals Gaps in Counter-Drone Readiness Amid Concerns About N.Y./N.J. Drone Sightings
- Federal officials were grilled by Congress regarding unmanned drone incursions above New York and New Jersey, while lawmakers also inquired about counter-drone activity across US borders.
- Robert Wheeler Jr., assistant director of the FBI’s Critical Incident Response Group noted that the office is still investigating the situation but could not say who was responsible for the drone sightings.
- Some reports have described the flying objects as being slightly larger than a commercial drone – the sightings include fixed-wing and rotary drones.
- During the Congressional hearings, Keith Jones, CBP’s deputy executive assistant commissioner of air and marine operations, warned of an increase in drone sightings in the US/Mexico border region, which were often related to illegal drug activities.
- Many incidents occur outside of US jurisdiction in foreign airspace, so mitigation is challenging with CBP alerting Mexican authorities to the presence of suspicious drones.
- Brad Wiegmann, deputy assistant attorney general for National Security, testified that counter-drone measures continued to be provided for a limited number of sporting events and special occasions with greater authority required by local and tribal law enforcement agencies.
- Several lawmakers inquired as to whether federal law enforcement agencies have the resources to counter drone activity operated by malicious actors.
- Representative Tony Gonzales, a Republican from Texas, asked why the FBI’s budget for counter-drone operations was so low at $500,000 with Chairman Pfluger also expressing concern about counter drone inaction.
- Part 2 of the Congressional hearing featured private sector experts who have been called upon to address gaps in counter-drone readiness.
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