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Top FBI leaders reveal the agency has little knowledge about a mysterious drone that was spotted hovering over New Jersey.
When asked what Americans “At risk,” FBI Assistant Director of the Crisis Response Group Robert Wheeler told Congress. “There is nothing known that would make me say that. But we just don’t know. And that’s the worrying part.”
Dozens of drones have been seen flying near sensitive locations such as military research centers in recent weeks.
The FBI is investigating the incident and is urging the public for more information.
follow Gov. Phil MurphyOn Sunday alone there were 49 drone reports, the majority in Hunterdon County.
New Jersey drone sighting map (Fox and Friends/Screengrab)
The FBI assistant director’s comments came during a joint hearing by two Homeland Security subcommittees on unmanned aerial systems.
New Jersey drone sightings: Military analysts break down national security concerns I wonder if I have any hobbies that I play.
“We have not yet identified any individual or group as the reason for this. We are investigating But I still don’t have an answer as to who is responsible for the incident. At least one person or more was responsible for those drone flights,” Wheeler said.
“It’s crazy. It’s crazy that we don’t know what these drones are,” said Rep. Anthony Gonzales, R-Texas.
“There are a lot of Americans who are very frustrated right now. By asking where my tax money is going,” he added. Wheeler was asked how much of the FBI’s budget goes to support anti-drone efforts.
Wheeler responded that approximately $500,000 would go towards counter-drone technology and its use within the FBI.
“No wonder we don’t know what’s going on!” the council member replied.
The drone was seen over North Jersey on Tuesday. (Nicolas Lordi)
Mysterious drone sightings continue to be reported in New Jersey with no answers.
Senior border officials also revealed at the hearing that over the past six weeks Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) sensors recorded 6,900 drone flights within the vicinity of the U.S. border. This can threaten the lives of CBP officers and some of them carry drugs.
CBP was unable to engage approximately 95 percent of those drones because they did not violate U.S. airspace. But floating near the border
Keith Jones, CBP’s Air and Maritime Operations Chief, revealed that no funds have been allocated to CBP for the counter-drone process.
Some drones as large as SUVs have been seen circling the Garden State’s skies, as well as smaller, faster-moving drones. This is similar to so-called “mother drones” used in Ukraine, Russia and China, said Fox News contributor Brett Velikovich.
These mother ships launch smaller drones. It lacks the range of antennas needed to carry a drone over long distances. That shows, according to Velicovich, that foreign opponents can play in New Jersey.
New Jersey officials cannot interfere with drones due to Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) regulations.
Experts have warned for the first time that the United States Lack of clear countermeasures process for drones after 17 unmanned vehicles crashed into restricted airspace over Langley Air Force Base in Virginia last December.
Mysterious drones swarmed together for more than two weeks. The lack of standard procedures for such break-ins left Langley officials unsure of what to do. Besides letting a 20 foot long drone hover near their secret location.
Brad Wiegmann, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for National Security Imploring Congress to give law enforcement agencies additional legal authority to shoot down drones that may be considered a threat.
“We need legal authority. Without this Using the most effective types of drone detection and counter-drone technology may violate criminal law. This includes laws that prohibit destroying or disabling aircraft during flight. and interception of signals and communications,” he said.
DOJ’s current anti-drone task force expires in just 10 days, and Wiegmann urged Congress to not just renew it. But it also expands its scope.
“The two most important issues for us are first. Expanding the types of sites that law enforcement can protect from nefarious and suspicious drone users, for example to include, as discussed in the opening statement, airports, critical infrastructure such as power plants and chemical plants,” he continued.
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“Number two is my colleague from the FBI just mentioned. It’s about strengthening state and local law enforcement capacity. and critical infrastructure operators to participate in counter-drone operations across the country. This is not work the federal government can do alone.”
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