FAA Temporarily Bans Drones Over NJ Over Security Concerns

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced a temporary ban on drone flights over 22 utility locations in New Jersey. The 30-day restriction follows a request from federal security agencies and comes shortly after a similar ban was imposed on two sites in the state in November.

The affected sites include critical infrastructure such as electrical switching stations, substations, generating stations, and a utility command center operated by PSE&G. These locations are in cities including Elizabeth, Edison, Camden, and Metuchen. The FAA's decision aims to safeguard these facilities from risks associated with unauthorized drone activity.

Concerns about drones have been growing, particularly in New Jersey and nearby areas. The FAA has also reported a sharp increase in incidents involving lasers pointed at aircraft, which is illegal and hazardous. In December, laser strike reports rose by 269% compared to the same period the previous year. This uptick in dangerous activities has prompted stricter measures to control drone flights in sensitive locations.

There are currently about 1 million registered drones in the United States, with approximately 42 million drone flights occurring annually, according to Reuters. Despite the rise in drone sightings, US agencies maintain that drones do not pose a significant national security threat. Most reported sightings are linked to hobbyist drones or natural phenomena, such as stars or aircraft, rather than deliberate threats.

The FAA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have clarified that the restrictions aim to prevent potential interference with critical infrastructure rather than address a national security concern. The ban does not apply to manned aviation, such as airplanes and helicopters, which continue to operate normally in the affected airspace. “The challenge is developing systems that allow drones to be detected by air traffic control and help prevent collisions by enabling both drones and manned aircraft to track each other,” said Yousefth Pineda, General Director, CRAMEX, in an interview with MBN.

Additionally, the FBI has issued a warning about the increasing number of incidents involving laser pointers directed at drones. The agency cautioned the public against targeting drones with lasers or other harmful actions, emphasizing the potential for serious safety risks. Such actions could lead to accidents, particularly if a drone is mistaken for a manned aircraft, posing dangers to both drone operators and manned aircraft pilots.