×

A look at Rep. Stefanik’s week

Unmanned aircraft request

Stefanik urged President Donald Trump, the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration to support New York’s application for an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Pilot Program to expand commercial unmanned aircraft operations.

The program will leverage existing and planned testing capabilities to demonstrate the integration of unmanned aircraft at low altitudes, addressing ongoing concerns about the potential security and safety risks associated with unmanned aircraft operating in close proximity to human beings and infrastructure. Results of this testing may result in UAS being integrated into the National Airspace System

It is expected to be used in the North Country to test proposed uses for the aircraft in defense, agriculture, inspection and transportation safety.

The plan was supported by more than 60 local municipalities, businesses, tribal nations, state authorities and state agencies.

“If New York is successfully selected as an IPP site, it will spur the creation of hundreds of needed, quality jobs in our region,” Stefanik said. “Specifically, in my district, it will help the Department of Environmental Conservation monitor important conservation efforts, emergency management, land surveillance, and public safety in our treasured Adirondack Park.”

East Coast missile defense post at Fort Drum?

Stefanik wrote an opinion article for the Washington Examiner, proposing a missile defense post for the East Coast at Fort Drum near Watertown, in response to North Korea’s ever-expanding missile capabilities.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s November missile test proves the country has the ability to target the whole continental U.S., she said. The East Coast has significantly less protection and sensors than the West, as technology previously threatened that coast more.

The U.S. mainland is currently protected by the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system, which hits an incoming missile, detonating it midair.

“In its 18 intercept tests to date, the Ground-Based Interceptors have only succeeded 10 times, giving it a roughly 56 percent success rate,” Stefanik wrote. “Additionally, none of the tests were performed in a realistic environment that accurately simulates an actual ICBM attack.”

She also mentioned that recent surveillance photos depict workers assembling what analysts believe to be an operational ballistic missile submarine. She said Iran has also been working on a ballistic missile program for decades, with less severe but quickly growing capability.

State of Union guest

Stefanik announced on Tuesday that her guest to the 2018 State of the Union address will be Sarah Pratt of South Glens Falls, whose father, State Trooper Timothy Pratt, lost his life in the line of duty in 2016.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.75/week.

Subscribe Today