OPINION:
According to northjersey.com, the initial reports of the current drone sightings emerged in Morris County the week before Thanksgiving. Gov. Phil Murphy expressed his ongoing concern regarding the escalating number of drone sightings in the state.
“I do not hold individuals responsible for their frustration,” he said. “I must emphasize, in conjunction with agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Secret Service, and our state police, that we have not identified any threats to public safety.”
While current intelligence does not suggest an imminent threat from these drones, Florham Park Police Chief Joseph Orlando described their presence as seemingly nefarious.
Reports indicate instances of drones entering the airspace above a Navy weapons station in New Jersey, raising concerns regarding widespread drone sightings in the region. The Naval Weapons Station Earle in Colts Neck, New Jersey, has acknowledged awareness of the sightings and continues to coordinate with federal and state agencies to ensure the safety of personnel and operations.
The FBI and DHS commented jointly on the reported drone sightings in New Jersey, asserting:
“We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have foreign associations. The FBI, DHS, and our federal partners, in close coordination with the New Jersey State Police, continue to deploy personnel and technology to investigate this situation and ascertain whether the reported drone flights are indeed drones or might instead be manned aircraft or inaccuracies in visual sightings.”
In short, there is nothing to see here and nothing to worry about.
In recent years, commercial drone payloads and ranges have significantly increased, opening the possibility of using them as delivery vehicles for large, lethal payloads. But the ability to detect, track and react to such a threat is limited.
For example, the Chinese EHang 216 specifications include a range (22 miles), speed (62 mph), payload (485 pounds), relatively low cost ($410,000), autonomous operation and availability for purchase in many countries, including the U.S.
If acquired by a terrorist group, the EHang 216 could be easily hauled in an enclosed semitrailer, unloaded at a small, covert site, quickly reassembled and launched on a preprogrammed flight path.
It could fly under autonomous control to a GPS-designated site where it delivers a substantial lethal package. The capabilities should be of concern considering how much damage 485 pounds of explosives, packaged for maximum lethal effect, could do if, for example, they were detonated over a football stadium during a game.
And what about the potential for a power plant attack? A further consideration of the potential for such operations is that the EHang company originated and is based in China and is selling to other potential adversaries worldwide.
Is the EHang 216 licensed for operation in this country? Is the EHang 216 in operation in New Jersey? Are there similar crafts with similar capabilities? Can the FAA identify these craft and discuss their status? Is DHS doing threat assessments involving these craft and monitoring their status? Is there an ability to track these vehicles in real time and intercept threatening drones if necessary?
All drones weighing .55 pounds or more must be licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration and operated by an FAA-licensed operator. Drones can operate up to 400 feet above ground level. For operations conducted at night or above this limit, operators must apply for FAA authorization at least 60 days before the intended use date.
About 390,000 commercial drones are registered, along with over 400,000 certified pilots. About 389,000 drones are registered in the recreational sector, and 852,456 TRUST Certificates have been issued instead of a formal license. The FAA provides these certificates to recreational flyers through a complimentary online educational course. The FAA enforces these regulations, and civil or criminal violations can result in fines of $75,000 per incident up to a cap of $250,000.
Given this information, it is reasonable to expect the FAA to maintain publicly accessible records regarding those authorized to operate drones at night or above 400 feet. Examining these records and flight plans filed by aircraft over the past month or so should help clarify situations in New Jersey and elsewhere.
The increase in drone activity in the Northeast, particularly in New Jersey, is significant and cannot be ignored. DHS and the FBI, however, see no reason for concern but cannot explain drone activity or identify the operators. Perhaps we need to ask the right people.
The FAA registers drones and certifies their pilots. Private and commercial pilots must also be certified, the aircraft they fly must be registered, and flight plans must be filed with the FAA. The FAA should be able to address the concern with drones operating in New Jersey instead of the FBI.
Then, the FBI could review filed flight plans for fixed wing and drone certification and registered drone pilots and request information about drone activity.
Suppose the FAA is insufficient and a satisfactory explanation must be provided. In that case, the Department of Defense should use anti-drone technology to bring drones down, investigate their make and manufacturer and determine their ownership.
• David Neumann is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and successful businessman. Todd Tiahrt is a former member of Congress who served on the House Appropriations Committee, Defense Subcommittee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.