What we know about the mysterious drones buzzing above New Jersey

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Dozens of people have reported seeing drones over New Jersey since November 18.

The mystery continues to swirl after nearly a month of drone sightings over New Jersey, sparking fear among residents and a furious debate over what these flying objects are — and whether they really are. drones.

U.S. officials have been unable to provide definitive answers, saying only that these items do not pose a danger to public or national security.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Thursday that available footage suggested many of the reported drone sightings were actually manned aircraft.

But some lawmakers have criticized the government's handling of drones and the lack of publicly available information.

Here's what we know.

Where have the drones been spotted?

Dozens of drone sightings have been reported in New Jersey since November 18, according to local authorities.

The drones were initially spotted near the Raritan River, a waterway that flows into Round Valley Reservoir, New Jersey's largest, the Associated Press reported.

Sightings quickly spread to other parts of the state, including the Jersey Shore.

Some of these thefts have been spotted near Picatinny Arsenal – a sensitive military research facility – as well as near President-elect Donald Trump's golf course in the New Jersey town of Bedminster.

In neighboring New York City, several drones were reported flying over the Bronx on December 12, a police official told CBS News, the BBC's US partner.

Officers who responded to the incident saw the drones flying overhead, but they disappeared shortly after.

Drones have also been reported in other areas of the state, according to New York State Police.

Connecticut police also confirmed that “suspicious drone activity” had occurred in various parts of the state. A drone detection system has been deployed around the towns of Groton and New London.

In Maryland, former Republican governor Larry Hogan claimed to have seen what appeared to be “dozens” of drones above his home in Davidsonville, about 25 miles from Washington, DC.

“Like many who have observed these drones, I do not know whether this increasing activity in our skies poses a threat to public safety or national security,” he wrote on X. “But the public is increasingly worried and frustrated by the total lack of transparency of drones and the dismissive attitude of the federal government.

In late November, the US Air Force also confirmed that unidentified drones had been spotted over three US air bases in the UK: RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk and RAF Feltwell in Norfolk.

British defense sources told the BBC that suspicion rested on a “state actor” being responsible for the incursions.

In October, the Wall Street Journal also reported that mysterious drones had been seen for 17 days near US military installations in Virginia.

What did investigators say about drones?

On a call with reporters, officials from several U.S. agencies tried to assure that the drones were not the work of a foreign actor or posed a threat to national security.

“I think there was a slight overreaction,” an FBI official said.

While downplaying public concern, authorities were keen to reiterate that investigations into the drone sightings were still ongoing.

“We certainly understand why people are concerned. That's one of the reasons we are devoting significant resources,” the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said.

“At the same time, it is important to understand that we currently have no evidence that a threat to public safety exists,” DHS added.

What are these flying objects?

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White House national security spokesman John Kirby suggested that many of the “drones” seen involved manned aircraft.

Federal and state authorities have said they do not believe drones are dangerous or pose a threat to U.S. national security.

Following a briefing with the Department of Homeland Security on December 11, New Jersey Congresswoman Dawn Fantasia said drones appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio .

Fantasia said the drones measure up to 1.8m in diameter, move with the lights off and “operate in a coordinated manner”.

His comments contrast sharply with those from the White House, which suggested they were “piloted aircraft.”

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security also said the majority of sightings appear to be legal, manned flights.

None were reported in restricted airspace, the statement added.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a statement Friday saying more people are using drones, which means more people are noticing them in the sky.

He added that while drones can fly in most places within 400 feet (121 m), drones cannot fly in controlled airspace around an airport without FAA permission; on designated installations sensitive to national security; in certain military bases, infrastructures and national monuments; and in airspace covered by temporary flight restrictions.

Where do they come from?

If the objects are confirmed to be drones – which is not confirmed at this stage – it is unclear who might operate them.

Citing unnamed “high sources,” New Jersey Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew said they came from an Iranian “mothership” in the Atlantic.

The Pentagon quickly dismissed the comment, saying there was “no truth to it.”

“There are no Iranian ships off the coast of the United States, and there is no so-called mothership launching drones towards the United States,” the gate told reporters. Deputy Speaker Sabrina Singh.

Another lawmaker, Illinois Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi — who is on a congressional committee examining the Chinese Communist Party — told news outlet NewsNation that there is a “not insignificant” chance that China will be involved.

“It's certainly a possibility and the likelihood that they will then be able to access the data collected by these drones is very high,” he said.

Both the Pentagon and the White House have insisted that these objects were not of foreign origin.

Van Drew and other lawmakers have pushed back on those denials.

“Here's the problem: They don't know what it is. They don't know what it is,” Van Drew told Fox News. “They have no idea where it comes from, but they know what it isn't? It's absurd.”

In another incident across the country, a Northern California man was charged Dec. 11 with flying a drone over and taking photos of Vandenberg Space Base, located near Santa Barbara.

The incident allegedly took place on November 30, according to prosecutors.

The man, 39-year-old Chinese national Yinpiao Zhou, was arrested just before boarding a flight to China. He appeared in court Tuesday and no plea was heard.

There is no indication that the incident is linked to the wave of drone sightings reported on the East Coast.

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The Pentagon says these objects have no foreign origin

Can drones be stopped?

Several lawmakers have suggested that drones be shot down and analyzed to determine their origin and intentions.

Among them is President-elect Donald Trump, who used his Truth social media platform to suggest that drones could not fly without the government's knowledge.

“Let the public know, and now,” he wrote. “Otherwise, shoot them.”

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration also established temporary flight restrictions prohibiting drone flights over Bedminster and Picatinny.

In a statement, the FAA also warned that drone operators who conduct unsafe operations could face fines of up to $75,000 ($59,000) and have their drone pilot certificates revoked.

In a letter to US President Joe Biden released on December 13, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy urged federal agencies to “work together” to solve the mystery, and to push Congress to expand capabilities to fight the virus. drones to local law enforcement.

Some residents suggested they could take action against drones themselves – something authorities have strongly advised against doing, as it is illegal.

“A good shotgun will solve this problem,” one man commented on a drone video on social media.

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