LOS ANGELES (KNX) – TSA officials tested new, state-of-the-art technology designed to detect drones at Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday.
The equipment not only identifies a drone flying into restricted airspace, but it can also help officials track down the person flying it. Officials also said it could find the drone’s serial number, where it took off and landed, and even log into the drone’s video feed.
LAX is one of two airports in the nation testing out this new technology, the other being Miami International Airport.
“This is a 24/7 operation and it deserves and needs a 24/7 security,” Jim Bamberger with TSA, said.
“The mere sight of a drone at an airport can cause significant destruction,” Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard said, citing Reagan National Airport shutting down for a half-hour last month following a drone sighting.
According to Justin Erbacci, the CEO of L.A. World Airports, there were 50 drone sightings last year at LAX and 31 more this year.
TSA Federal Security Director Keith Jeffries said the drone operators they’ve encountered so far didn’t plan to use the drone in some horrific way.
“It means they’re just folks having fun with a particular new toy that they’ve received,” he said, adding that they have to be and will be prepared for any scenarios involving drones.
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