Secret Service, Navy testing of counter-drone technology led to faulty cockpit alerts, officials say

WASHINGTON, March 27 (Reuters) - The U.S. Secret Service and Navy testing of counter-drone technology near Reagan Washington National Airport earlier this month led to numerous flight crews receiving faulty alerts of potentially nearby aircraft on arrival, the Federal Aviation Administration and a senator said.

Senate Commerce Committee chair Ted Cruz at a hearing said the March 1 faulty alerts leading to some flights aborting landings was because the government testing using the same spectrum band as the alerting system and led to interference. Cruz called the testing inappropriate and "deeply disturbing" after a fatal collision on Jan. 29 between an American Airlines regional jet and Army helicopter killed 67 people. Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau confirmed that Cruz' account was correct.