Tonight, the flashing lights from thousands of reported drone sightings
across the Northeast may be coming into clearer focus.
Homeland Security says infrared technology is now helping police on
the ground identify drones in the air.
In New Jersey, the epicenter for most drone sightings for
nearly a month, lawmakers continue demanding answers.
I won't let the federal government insult the American people
and claim they aren't seeing things that they're seeing with
their own two eyes.
Over the weekend, an FBI official said there had been
more than 5000 reported sightings, but only 100 warranted review.
The vast majority appear to have been planes, helicopters, and
legitimate drone operations, though President-elect Trump today suggested the government
or military Gary knows more about the drones than they're
saying.
Something strange is going on.
For some reason they don't want to tell the people.
We have not identified anything anomalous or any national security
or public safety risk over the civilian airspace in New
Jersey or other states in the Northeast.
Meanwhile, a company specializing in drone radar, Robin Radar, is
now working with state police in New Jersey.
How small of a target of a drone can you
identify?
Yeah, so we can.
Everything in radar comes down to how big it is,
what's it made of, how fast is it moving?
Because drones fly so low, FAA aviation radar typically doesn't
spot them.
FBI and FAA officials have said most drone sightings appear
to line up with airport take off and landing patterns,
suggesting the public might be mistaking regular air traffic, even
passing satellites, for drones.
Drones are legal in daylight and nighttime.
The FAA requires they remain under 400 feet.
They must stay at least 5 miles from airports and
restricted areas, be in the line of sight of the
drone operator, and the drone operator must have a license
for larger drones and any commercial activity.
Like other news organizations, NBC News uses drones for our
news gathering.
According to FAA regulations, we have a white strobe flashing
on top.
Planes, on the other hand, have white strobes on the
wings, a solid red, a solid green light, and then
a flashing red.
Former FBI counter drone chief Rob d'amico.
They're 400 feet below.
They have their lights on and they can see the
drone.
There's nothing illegal about it.
Even if it's over your own property, you don't own
the airspace.
Most drones have less than 30 minutes of battery life
and limited range.
It's hard to deny that There's a lot of rules
out there and some people will follow them, some people
won't.
It's how we understand there's a late warning now from
the FBI, The FBI Newark office now warning, don't try
to shoot a drone out of the sky.
You may be hitting a helicopter, a plane, a legitimate
drone.
It's a felony.
In addition, that debris could cause serious injury or kill
somebody on the ground.
Lester.