After over a month of drone sightings over New Jersey and other US states, which alarmed some locals, mystery still lingers.
The only conclusive response from US authorities has been that the objects are not thought to be a threat to national security or the public.
Alejandro Mayorkas, the secretary of homeland security, said on Sunday that the sightings comprised both drones and manned aircraft that are frequently confused with drones.
“No foreign involvement” with the unmanned aerial vehicles is something he is aware of, he continued.
The government’s handling of the drone findings and the dearth of public information have drawn criticism from certain politicians.
Drones have been seen where?
Since November 18, dozens of drone sightings have been recorded above New Jersey, while other reports have been made throughout the northeastern United States.
Some of the planes were seen close to President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in the New Jersey town of Bedminster, as well as close to Picatinny Arsenal, a key military research centre.
Since then, drone flights above Bedminster and Picatinny have been temporarily restricted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Several more states have also confirmed sightings:
- On December 12, many drones were spotted flying above the Bronx in New York City.
- Governor Kathy Hochul stated that drone activity forced the closure of Stewart Airfield in New York State for approximately an hour on December 13.
- “Suspicious drone activity” was confirmed by Connecticut police. There is currently a drone detecting system in operation close to Groton and New London.
- Former Republican Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland claimed to have spotted “dozens” of drones flying over his Davidsonville residence.
- On December 14, two males were taken into custody in Massachusetts during a “hazardous drone operation” close to Boston’s Logan International Airport, according to authorities.
- There have been several reports of sightings throughout eastern Pennsylvania, including over Philadelphia.
- The Wall Street Journal revealed in October that unexplained drones were spotted for 17 days close to US military installations in Virginia.
British defence sources told the BBC that suspicion had been placed on a “state actor” after drones were also seen above three US airbases in the UK in late November.
In early December, there were also reports of drones in the vicinity of the US military airbase in Ramstein, Germany.
Regarding the drones, what have investigators said?
Officials from a number of US agencies told reporters on a call that there was no indication that public safety was in danger.
“I think there has been a slight overreaction,” an FBI official stated.
He is aware of “no foreign involvement with respect to the sightings in the north-east,” the homeland security secretary told ABC News on Sunday.
