Schumer Pushes Mayorkas for Implementation of ‘Special Drone-Detection Tech’

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is urging Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to ramp up efforts against mysterious drone sightings in the Mid-Atlantic region. With airports and critical infrastructure potentially at risk, Schumer is calling for the deployment of advanced drone-detection systems to New York and New Jersey.

“I’m pushing for answers amid these drone sightings,” Schumer posted on X, formerly Twitter. “I’m calling for [Mayorkas] to deploy special drone-detection tech across” the region.

The urgency stems from recent incidents, including a Friday night report of a drone sighting that led to a temporary shutdown of runways at a New York airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flagged the drone activity, prompting further scrutiny.

New Jersey Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia revealed that the drones in question are large, measuring six feet in diameter, and operate in a coordinated fashion. These devices seem to evade traditional detection methods like helicopters and standard radio frequency tracking.

“This is not a one-off occurrence; it’s a systematic issue,” Fantasia warned in a statement shared on X.

To counter the mystery drones, Schumer recommended deploying specialized radar systems, including the ROBIN (Radar for Object and Ballistic Identification Network). This advanced technology provides 360-degree detection capability, significantly enhancing the chances of locating drones that bypass traditional detection systems.

Homeland Security officials confirmed that a drone-specific radar, coupled with an electro-optical infrared (EO/IR) camera system, has already been sent to New Jersey. These tools enable identification and tracking of drones, particularly those without standard radio frequency signals.

“This is extremely helpful for drones that operate outside the usual detection methods,” a DHS official explained.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul welcomed the assistance, stating that federal partners have provided cutting-edge tools to bolster the state’s efforts. “This system will support state and federal law enforcement in their investigations,” Hochul noted.

While drone sightings have sparked significant concern, White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby downplayed the threat. He reported that sophisticated detection technologies had failed to corroborate many of the visual sightings.

“Upon review of available imagery, it appears that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft being operated lawfully,” Kirby stated.

Schumer and other officials, including Hochul and Mayorkas, are pressing Congress to pass the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act. This legislation would provide state and local law enforcement with greater authority and resources to detect and neutralize rogue drones.

In his post on X, Schumer emphasized the need for immediate action, saying, “I am working to pass a bill in the Senate to give local law enforcement more tools for drone detection.”

The surge in drone activity has raised alarms about vulnerabilities in national security. As lawmakers push for advanced detection systems and legislative reforms, the question remains whether these measures will be enough to counter this growing threat.

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