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A group of top lawmakers are calling on the federal government to deploy advanced drone detection technology and pass new legislation to address a wave of mysterious drone sightings over New York, New Jersey, and other parts of the northeastern United States.
Some shit you should know before you read: Approximately two weeks ago, reports of mysterious “drone” sightings began surfacing in New Jersey, with sightings quickly expanding to New York and other northeastern states, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. These drones, varying in size and flight patterns, have sparked concern due to their appearance near sensitive locations such as the Picatinny Arsenal military facility and major airports. While some of the sightings have been attributed to misidentified manned aircraft, many remain unexplained. Last week, the US government acknowledged the presence of drones but has downplayed their threat, stating there is no evidence of foreign involvement or immediate public safety risks. Despite this, the lack of definitive answers has led to growing frustration and theories among residents and officials, as well as calls for more rigorous investigation and regulation.

What’s going on now: Over the weekend, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called for the federal government to deploy advanced drone detection technology to address the recent surge in mysterious drone sightings over New York and New Jersey. Schumer specifically advocated for the Robin Radar System, a newly declassified technology capable of identifying drones, reading their electronic registrations, and tracing them back to their operators. He said, “New Yorkers have tremendous questions about it. There are hundreds of companies all over the globe that make drones. We don’t know which ones these are. This radar will help us find out which they are, and then we can go talk to the company.”
Schumer also stressed the need for legislative action to close regulatory gaps that limit state and local authorities from addressing drone activity effectively.
Governor of New York chimes in: In addition to Senator Schumer, New York Governor Kathy Hochul called on Congress to take legislative action. She said, “Passing the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act will give New York and our peers the authority and resources required to respond to circumstances like we face today.”
More on that Act: The Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act aims to bolster the nation’s ability to detect, track, and mitigate threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly known as drones. The legislation would extend and expand existing counter-UAS authorities, granting federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice broader powers to identify and neutralize unauthorized or potentially dangerous drone activities. It also seeks to enhance coordination between federal, state, and local governments while protecting critical infrastructure, public safety, and airspace security. Some have criticized the Act, arguing that it doesn’t do enough to safeguard privacy.