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Residents of South Jersey will see an increase in drone activity as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducts drone detection tests in Cape May. The testing, which began Monday (April 14) and will continue through April 25, involves several large drones and about 100 commercial drones. The FAA's Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Research, known as ASSURE, is leading the tests, which are taking place near the Delaware River and Bay Authority Ferry Terminal.
The goal of the testing is to evaluate the effectiveness of various drone detection technologies, such as Remote ID, Acoustic Array, and X-Band radar, in coastal climates and high-traffic maritime environments. The FAA aims to ensure these technologies do not interfere with aircraft navigation systems. According to CNN, the FAA has previously conducted similar tests in Alaska and plans to continue in New Mexico, North Dakota, and Mississippi later this year.
This initiative follows a series of unexplained drone sightings in New Jersey last year, which raised concerns among residents. The FAA and local authorities have emphasized that these sightings, which included a mix of commercial, hobbyist, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned aircraft, did not pose a security threat. NJ.com reports that the public is advised not to fly recreational drones near the testing area during this period.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted the importance of transparency and safety in these tests, stating that the FAA's efforts are aimed at protecting national security and ensuring the safety of American airspace. The FAA receives over 100 drone-sighting reports near airports each month, underscoring the need for effective detection and mitigation systems.