FAA to conduct drone-detection testing in New Jersey

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Aviation Administration will conduct drone-detection testing in New Jersey starting on Monday after a spike in reports last year and continuing sightings near airports.

The FAA will operate several large drones and about 100 commercial off-the-shelf drones during the two-week period in Cape May, New Jersey.

Last year, a frenzy of concern about drones in New Jersey and surrounding states prompted a dramatic spike in the number of people in the area pointing lasers at airplanes flying overhead. The FAA receives more than 100 drone-sighting reports near airports each month.

The public should not fly recreational drones near this area during the test period in New Jersey, the FAA said.

"These tests will help determine the effectiveness of these technologies and whether they might interfere with FAA or aircraft navigation systems," the FAA said.

The FAA last year temporarily banned drone flights over dozens of critical infrastructure sites in New Jersey and New York.

In December, the White House, FBI and Homeland Security Department said they had no evidence that drone sightings reported in New Jersey posed national security or safety threats, despite concerns raised by lawmakers.

The FBI and DHS said "it appears that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft, operating lawfully. There are no reported or confirmed drone sightings in any restricted airspace."

The administration of former President Joe Biden had urged Congress to pass legislation to expand the ability of authorities to identify and counter drones that are a threat to airports or other critical infrastructure.

Days after President Donald Trump took office in January, the White House said the drones in New Jersey posed no threats. "In time, it got worse due to curiosity," the White House said. "This was not the enemy."

Drone sightings have at times disrupted flights and sporting events.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Rod Nickel)

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