Mysterious Drones Spotted Flying Over New Jersey and Other Parts of the Mid-Atlantic Region
A U.S. senator has called for the mysterious drones to be “shot down, if necessary,” even as it remains unclear who owns the unmanned aircraft.
Concerns and Calls for Action
Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said that the drones should be removed from the skies, especially if they are flying over airports or military bases, and that the Biden administration should provide more transparency. People in the New York region are also concerned that the drones may be sharing airspace with commercial airlines, he said.
Recent Sightings
Just after their report for News 4 at 6 p.m. Friday, NBC New York reporter Adam Harding and photojournalist Ivan Reyes captured red and green blinking lights flying above them for an extended length of time in Morris County, New Jersey. The aircraft quickly moved left to right, and was one of several in the area at that time. Locals said it was not in the typical path for airplanes.
Government Response
The White House said that a review of the reported sightings shows that many of them are actually manned aircraft being flown lawfully. White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said that there were no reported sightings in any restricted airspace. He also said that the U.S. Coast Guard has not uncovered any foreign involvement from coastal vessels.
The Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh has said that they are not U.S. military drones. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security said that they are deploying personnel and technology to investigate the situation and confirm whether the reported drone flights are actually drones or are instead manned aircraft or otherwise inaccurate sightings.
Investigation Continues
The agencies said that they have not corroborated any of the reported sightings with electronic detection, and that reviews of available images appear to show many of the reported drones are actually manned aircraft. The state lawmaker briefed by the Department of Homeland Security said that the drones appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio.
Worry and Frustration
The worry stems partly from the flying objects initially being spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey said he was frustrated by the lack of transparency, saying it could help spread fear and misinformation.
Conclusion
The situation remains unclear, with some officials saying that the reported sightings are likely to be manned aircraft, while others are concerned that the drones may be sharing airspace with commercial airlines. The investigation is ongoing, and more information is needed to alleviate the concerns of the public.
FAQs
Q: Are the drones a national security threat?
A: The U.S. government has stated that there is no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat.
Q: Who owns the drones?
A: It is unclear who owns the drones, as officials have not released any information on the matter.
Q: Are the drones flying over restricted airspace?
A: According to the White House, there have been no reported sightings in any restricted airspace.
Q: Can the government detect the drones?
A: The government has stated that the drones appear to be avoiding detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio.
