Mysterious drone sightings across New Jersey and the wider East Coast have become a significant point of concern and speculation, prompting investigations and raising questions about the nature and origin of these unidentified flying objects. From New Jersey to New York, Pennsylvania, and beyond, reports of numerous drones, sometimes near sensitive locations like military installations, have sparked curiosity and anxiety among residents and officials alike.
Federal authorities, led by the FBI, are currently investigating these widespread drone sightings. Thousands of tips have been received, highlighting the scale of the phenomenon. Alongside federal agencies, local law enforcement is also engaged in trying to understand What Is Flying Over New Jersey and neighboring states.
Despite the extensive investigations and public attention, a joint statement from the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, Federal Aviation Administration, and Department of Defense stated that they have “not identified anything anomalous” and currently do not consider the drone activity a national security or public safety risk. This statement, however, has done little to quell public curiosity and concerns about what exactly is happening in the skies above New Jersey and the East Coast.
Reports have poured in from various locations, including multiple parts of New Jersey, New York City, Rockland County in New York, and numerous counties in eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, and even Massachusetts. In one instance, the NYPD reported multiple drones over a Bronx neighborhood, which disappeared shortly after police responded. Adding to the disruption, drone activity even caused a temporary shutdown of runways at Stewart International Airport in Orange County, New York.
While two individuals were arrested in Boston for “hazardous drone operation” near Logan Airport, these incidents appear to be isolated and do not fully explain the widespread and persistent nature of the sightings across the region.
White House national security adviser John Kirby addressed the issue, suggesting that current assessments indicate no national security or public security threat. He proposed that the majority of sightings are likely attributed to commercial drones, law enforcement drones, hobbyists, and civil aviation aircraft. However, this explanation has not fully satisfied officials and the public seeking definitive answers about what is truly flying over New Jersey.
Official Statements and the Search for Answers
In a joint statement, federal agencies including the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, FAA, and DoD, after reviewing technical data and public tips, concluded that the sightings are likely a mix of “lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and stars mistakenly reported as drones.” They reiterated their stance that no anomalous activity posing a national security or public safety risk has been identified over civilian airspace in New Jersey or the Northeast.
Despite these assurances, the agencies acknowledged public concern and called on Congress to expand counter-drone legislation to better identify and mitigate potential threats. They also noted that drone sightings near military installations are not new and are handled with close coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement.
The FAA further clarified the context by mentioning the thousands of daily drone operations in New York and New Jersey, suggesting a high baseline of drone activity in the region.
However, officials at the state level are pushing for more clarity and resources. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy sent a letter to President Biden requesting increased resources to understand the drone activity. He expressed frustration that the sightings have “raised more questions than answers” and fueled “conspiracy theories.” While assuring the public that there is no known public safety risk, Governor Murphy admitted the frustration of not having clear answers about the source of these sightings.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul also addressed the issue after the Stewart Airfield incident, advocating for the “Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act” to enhance drone oversight and extend counter-UAS activities to state and local law enforcement. While stating there’s no evidence of a threat, she confirmed coordination with federal agencies like the FBI and DHS. New York State Police have even established an email address for public drone sighting reports. Governor Hochul later announced the deployment of a “state-of-the-art drone detection system” to New York State, signaling ongoing efforts to monitor and understand the situation.
An FBI official disclosed that over 3,000 tips have been received concerning these drone incursions, predominantly occurring at night. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other senators from New York and New Jersey requested a briefing from DHS, FBI, and FAA to understand the inter-agency coordination in addressing these sightings.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand emphasized the need for decisive action, suggesting that authorities should be empowered to “take these drones down” if necessary, even proposing methods like traps or nets. She stressed the importance of tracking drones to their origin points to identify those responsible.
Representative Andy Kim of New Jersey personally investigated the sightings, joining local police to observe drone activity. He described seeing lights moving over New Jersey parks at night, performing maneuvers unlike typical aircraft. While acknowledging some sightings might be explainable, he expressed concern about the lack of federal communication and the need for better drone detection and countermeasures.
Where are These Drones Being Spotted?
The initial reports of drone sightings emerged from Morris County, in northern New Jersey, in mid-November. Since then, the sightings have expanded geographically, covering at least half a dozen states across the East Coast.
Within New Jersey, low-flying drones have been reported in numerous locations. Sightings extend beyond New Jersey into Staten Island and other parts of New York City, Rockland County, and multiple counties in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan reported witnessing and videoing “dozens of large drones” over his residence in Davidsonville, Maryland, close to Washington D.C., observing the activity for around 45 minutes. He criticized the federal government’s response as “entirely unacceptable,” echoing public frustration with the lack of transparency and perceived dismissiveness from federal authorities.
CBS Philadelphia reported drone incursions into the airspace of Naval Weapons Station Earle in Colts Neck, New Jersey. The base confirmed “multiple instances of unidentified drones entering the airspace” but stated no direct threats were identified, while assuring readiness to respond to potential risks.
In Massachusetts, drone activity was reported over Cape Cod, with one resident in Harwich reporting seeing 10 to 15 drones over her home for over an hour. These widespread reports underscore the extensive nature of the drone sightings and the broad geographical area affected.
Speculations on Origin and Intent
Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh stated that the initial assessment is that these drones are “not the work of a foreign adversary or a foreign entity.” This suggests that while the sightings are unexplained, they are not currently attributed to international threats. The Pentagon has deferred the investigation of origins and types of drones to local law enforcement and the FBI, as the drones are not considered a military threat. Singh also dismissed theories of an Iranian “mothership” launching drones off the East Coast.
The Question of Intervention
The possibility of shooting down the drones has been raised by lawmakers as a means to analyze them. However, concerns about falling debris in populated areas and the potential dangers of such actions have also been voiced. Pentagon officials clarified that base commanders have the authority to shoot down drones posing a direct threat to military installations, but no such threat has been assessed to date.
U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) indicated they have not received requests from local law enforcement for assistance in dealing with the drone sightings. They are monitoring the situation near military installations in New Jersey but have largely deferred to local authorities.
John Kirby highlighted the need for improved legal frameworks and cooperation between federal and state governments to address the “brand new ecosystem of drones.” He emphasized the administration’s call for congressional action to provide better authorities to manage drone activity.
Are These Sightings Unique?
The current drone mystery is not entirely isolated. Langley Air Force Base in Virginia experienced multiple drone incursions in December 2023, with varying numbers, sizes, and configurations of drones reported. General Gregory Guillot, head of U.S. Northern Command, testified earlier in the year about the increasing threat of drones, noting an average of two to five drone detections per week over military installations within the NORTHCOM area of responsibility. This context suggests that while the scale and public attention to the current East Coast sightings are notable, drone incursions are an ongoing and growing concern for military and civilian authorities.
The mystery of what is flying over New Jersey and the East Coast persists. While official explanations point towards benign sources like commercial and hobbyist drones, the scale, persistence, and unexplained maneuvers of some sightings leave many questions unanswered. As investigations continue and technology for drone detection improves, the hope is to gain a clearer understanding of these aerial phenomena and ensure the safety and security of the airspace above New Jersey and beyond.
