As unidentified airborne craft continue to appear across parts of the United States, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to deploy advanced 360-degree radar systems to detect drones.
“Our local people who have questions about these drones should not have to shake an eight ball to get an answer,” Schumer said during a press event, holding up a magic eight ball in one hand and an image of a drone in the other.
Schumer proposed deploying a 360-degree radar system developed by Dutch company Robin Radar Systems in the New York and New Jersey region. The company’s website explains, “Bird, bat, or drone, our 360° radar systems log thousands of observations, scanning every second to track and classify with precision.”
“They want real answers, and the Robin can supply those answers, and that’s why we want them here,” Schumer emphasized.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul also announced progress on the issue, stating, “In response to my calls for additional resources, our federal partners are deploying a state-of-the-art drone detection system to New York State.”
When reached for comment, a DHS spokesperson stated, “DHS responds to Congressional inquiries directly via official channels, and the Department will continue to respond appropriately to Congressional oversight.”
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed during an appearance on ABC’s This Week that some of the recent sightings have indeed been drones, while others are manned aircraft often mistaken for drones. “We know of no foreign involvement related to the sightings in the northeast,” Mayorkas said.
Amid the uncertainty, President-elect Donald Trump took to Truth Social, stating, “Mystery drone sightings all over the country. Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge? I don’t think so! Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!”
