The Federal Aviation Administration , FAA, is preparing to evaluate various drone detection systems for airports , according to a statement.
The tests will involve at least 10 technologies and systems developed not only to detect unmanned aerial systems, but also to mitigate the potential safety risks they pose, and are part of the Unmanned Aerial Systems Detection and Mitigation Research Program , and are expected to begin later this year.
The initial tests will be conducted at the William J. Hughes , which is located right next to Atlantic City in New Jersey. After that, the agency expects to expand its tests to four additional U.S. airports. It has not yet selected those airports and may expand the list of technologies, as it is asking interested companies working on drone detection systems to respond to its announcement within 45 days.
This upcoming round of testing is far from the first time the FAA has evaluated drone detection and containment systems for airports. The agency has been testing them for years, even before the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act , which forced the agency to ensure that drone detection technologies wouldn’t interfere with safe airport operations
A few days ago, the FAA, the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Federal Communications Commission also issued a joint advisory document aimed at helping private entities understand federal laws that apply to the use of drone detection systems.
“As the number of drones in our airspace continues to increase, it is not surprising that the availability of anti-drone technologies has also increased. Because these technologies can be offered for sale without a full discussion of important legal requirements, this Advisory proceeds to provide information on the relevant legislation,” said Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen.
