Mysterious drone swarms baffle experts and officials across the tri-state area, raising national security concerns and prompting calls for advanced detection systems.
At a Glance
- Over 3,000 unexplained drone sightings reported in New Jersey since November 18.
- Federal authorities deploying high-tech drone detection system in New York State.
- Experts speculate potential foreign involvement, though Pentagon denies any connection.
- Lawmakers push for expanded local law enforcement authority to address the issue.
Mysterious Drone Sightings Spark Concern
A wave of unexplained drone sightings across the tri-state area has ignited concern among residents, experts, and government officials. Since November 18, the Federal Aviation Administration has received numerous reports of unidentified drones, with over 3,000 sightings in New Jersey alone. The sightings have expanded beyond the Garden State to include New York, Maryland, Florida, and Delaware, prompting a multi-agency investigation into the mysterious aerial activity.
The drones in question are believed to be commercial-grade, possibly up to 6 feet in diameter, and have been observed operating with lights off, evading traditional detection methods. This sophisticated behavior has led some experts to speculate about potential foreign involvement, despite the Pentagon’s denial of any connection to adversarial nations.
Experts Voice Concerns Over Potential Threats
Gordon Chang, a senior fellow at the Gatestone Institute, has raised alarm bells about the nature and purpose of these drone sightings. Chang suggests that the scale and organization of the drone activity point to something beyond hobbyist use, potentially indicating involvement from foreign powers such as Iran or China.
“These drones and this activity is too large, too well-organized to be the work of hobbyists,” Chang stated. “And that sort of leaves foreign powers. It could be Iran, it could be Iran in connection with China, but clearly, somebody is trying to absorb our attention.”
Chang’s concerns extend beyond the immediate presence of the drones, suggesting they could be part of a larger strategy. “The thing that really worries me is that if they’re trying to draw our attention to these drones, the question is what are they doing elsewhere in our country? So we could very well get hit,” he warned.
Government Response and Detection Efforts
In response to the growing number of sightings and escalating concerns, federal and state authorities are taking action. New York Governor Kathy Hochul has called for federal authorization to allow local police to respond to drone incidents, including the potential to shoot them down. However, the FAA advises against this action due to safety risks, including potential crashes and fires from lithium batteries.
“In response to my calls for additional resources, our federal partners are deploying a state-of-the-art drone detection system to New York State. This system will support state and federal law enforcement in their investigations,” Governor Hochul announced.
Senator Chuck Schumer has specifically requested the Department of Homeland Security to deploy the Robin, a 360-degree radar system, to track the drones. “New Yorkers have tremendous questions about [the drones]. We are going to get the answers,” Schumer assured.
Calls for Legislative Action and Expanded Authority
As the drone sightings continue to perplex authorities, lawmakers are pushing for legislative action to address the issue. Governor Hochul supports the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act, which aims to provide better response capabilities. Additionally, Schumer and Hochul are advocating for legislation to require all drones to be registered, enhancing accountability and traceability.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has also highlighted the need for expanded authority to incapacitate drones, underscoring the current limitations faced by law enforcement in responding to these incidents.
As investigations continue and detection systems are deployed, residents of the tri-state area remain on edge. The mysterious drone sightings serve as a stark reminder of the evolving challenges in airspace security and the need for robust, coordinated responses to potential threats.
Sources:
- Mysterious NJ drone activity may be deliberate distraction hiding potential attack on US, expert claims: ‘Could very well get hit’
- What we know about the drones spotted in New Jersey and other states
- Gov. Hochul announces federal drone detection system for NY
- Feds to deploy ‘state-of-the-art’ detection system to NY as drone swarms have experts baffled
