A top aviation official says the government is testing technology that could locate the operators of small drones that are flying illegally near airports.

It’s part of an effort to crack down on near-collisions with manned aircraft.

The Federal Aviation Administration’s deputy administrator tells the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee that the technology would let the government detect drone radio signals within a 5-mile radius — providing the operator’s location.

There’s no decision yet on when and where the technology will be used.

The FAA gets about 100 reports a month from pilots of sightings of drones flying near planes and airports. The concern is that even a drone weighing only a few pounds might cause serious damage if it’s sucked into an engine or smashes through a windshield.

(AP)