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What we know about the mysterious drones buzzing over New Jersey What we know about the mysterious drones buzzing over New Jersey
(32 minutes later)
Dozens of people have reported seeing drones over New Jersey since 18 NovemberDozens of people have reported seeing drones over New Jersey since 18 November
Mystery continues to swirl over nearly a month of drone sightings over New Jersey, sparking fear among residents and furious debate about what the flying objects are - and if they are drones at all.Mystery continues to swirl over nearly a month of drone sightings over New Jersey, sparking fear among residents and furious debate about what the flying objects are - and if they are drones at all.
US authorities have been unable to provide definitive answers, saying only that the objects are not believed to pose a danger to the public or national security.US authorities have been unable to provide definitive answers, saying only that the objects are not believed to pose a danger to the public or national security.
On Thursday, White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters that available images suggested that many of the reported drone sightings were actually manned aircraft.On Thursday, White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters that available images suggested that many of the reported drone sightings were actually manned aircraft.
But some lawmakers have criticised the government's handling of the drones and the lack of information available to the public.But some lawmakers have criticised the government's handling of the drones and the lack of information available to the public.
Here's what we know about the drones and the subsequent investigation.Here's what we know about the drones and the subsequent investigation.
Where have drones been spotted?Where have drones been spotted?
Dozens of drone sightings have been reported over New Jersey since 18 November, according to local authorities.Dozens of drone sightings have been reported over New Jersey since 18 November, according to local authorities.
The drones were initially spotted near the Raritan river, a waterway which feeds into the Round Valley Reservoir - the largest in New Jersey, the Associated Press reported.The drones were initially spotted near the Raritan river, a waterway which feeds into the Round Valley Reservoir - the largest in New Jersey, the Associated Press reported.
The sightings soon spread to other parts of the state, including New Jersey's coast.The sightings soon spread to other parts of the state, including New Jersey's coast.
Some of the flights were spotted near Picatinny Arsenal - a sensitive military research facility - as well as near President-elect Donald Trump's golf course in the town of Bedminster, New Jersey.Some of the flights were spotted near Picatinny Arsenal - a sensitive military research facility - as well as near President-elect Donald Trump's golf course in the town of Bedminster, New Jersey.
In nearby New York City, several drones were reported flying over the Bronx on 12 December, a police official told CBS News, the BBC's US partner.In nearby New York City, several drones were reported flying over the Bronx on 12 December, 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 soon afterwards.Officers who responded to the incident saw the drones flying overhead, but they disappeared soon afterwards.
Drones have also been reported in other parts of the state, according to New York State Police.
Police in Connecticut have also confirmed that "suspicious drone activity" has taken place in various parts of the state. A drone detection system has been deployed around the towns of Groton and New London.
FBI investigates possible drones seen over Trump golf courseFBI investigates possible drones seen over Trump golf course
In Maryland, former Republican Governor Larry Hogan claimed he saw what appeared to be "dozens" of drones over his residence in Davidsonville, about 25 miles (40km) from Washington DC.In Maryland, former Republican Governor Larry Hogan claimed he saw what appeared to be "dozens" of drones over his residence in Davidsonville, about 25 miles (40km) from Washington DC.
"Like many who have observed these drones, I do not know if this increasing activity over our skies is a threat to public safety or national security," he wrote on X. "But the public is growing increasingly concerned and frustrated with the complete lack of transparency and the dismissive attitude of the federal government.""Like many who have observed these drones, I do not know if this increasing activity over our skies is a threat to public safety or national security," he wrote on X. "But the public is growing increasingly concerned and frustrated with the complete lack of transparency and the dismissive attitude of the federal government."
In late November, the United States Air Force also confirmed that unidentified drones were spotted over three US airbases in the UK: RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk and RAF Feltwell in Norfolk.In late November, the United States Air Force also confirmed that unidentified drones were spotted over three US airbases in the UK: RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk and RAF Feltwell in Norfolk.
UK defence sources told the BBC that suspicion had fallen on a "state actor" being responsible for the incursions.UK defence sources told the BBC that suspicion had fallen on a "state actor" being responsible for the incursions.
In October, the Wall Street Journal also reported that mysterious drones were seen for 17 days near US military facilities in Virginia.In October, the Wall Street Journal also reported that mysterious drones were seen for 17 days near US military facilities in Virginia.
What are these flying objects?What are these flying objects?
White House national security spokesman John Kirby has suggested that many of the 'drone' sightings are manned aircraft.White House national security spokesman John Kirby has suggested that many of the 'drone' sightings are manned aircraft.
It remains a mystery.It remains a mystery.
But both federal and state authorities have said that they do not believe they are dangerous or pose a threat to US national security.But both federal and state authorities have said that they do not believe they are dangerous or pose a threat to US national security.
Following a briefing with the Department of Homeland Security on 11 December, New Jersey assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia said the drones appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio.Following a briefing with the Department of Homeland Security on 11 December, New Jersey assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia said the drones appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio.
Fantasia said the drones are up to 6ft (1.8m) in diameter, travel with lights turned off and "operate in a co-ordinated manner".Fantasia said the drones are up to 6ft (1.8m) in diameter, travel with lights turned off and "operate in a co-ordinated manner".
Her comments stand in stark contrast to the White House, which has suggested that these are "manned aircraft".Her comments stand in stark contrast to the White House, which has suggested that these are "manned aircraft".
The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security also said that the majority of sightings appear to be lawful, manned flights.The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security also said that the majority of sightings appear to be lawful, manned flights.
None have been reported in restricted airspace, the statement added.None have been reported in restricted airspace, the statement added.
Where are they coming from?Where are they coming from?
If the objects are confirmed to be drones - which at this point remains far from clear - it is unclear who might be operating them.If the objects are confirmed to be drones - which at this point remains far from clear - it is unclear who might be operating them.
Citing anonymous "high sources", New Jersey Republican representative Jeff Van Drew said that they were coming from an Iranian "mothership" in the Atlantic.Citing anonymous "high sources", New Jersey Republican representative Jeff Van Drew said that they were coming from an Iranian "mothership" in the Atlantic.
The Pentagon swiftly dismissed the comment, saying "there is no truth to that".The Pentagon swiftly dismissed the comment, saying "there is no truth to that".
"There is no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States, and there's no so-called mothership launching drones towards the United States," deputy spokesperson Sabrina Singh told reporters."There is no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States, and there's no so-called mothership launching drones towards the United States," deputy spokesperson Sabrina Singh told reporters.
Another lawmaker, Illinois Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi - who is on a congressional committee that looks at China's Communist Party - told media outlet NewsNation that there is a "non-trivial" chance that China could be involved.Another lawmaker, Illinois Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi - who is on a congressional committee that looks at China's Communist Party - told media outlet NewsNation that there is a "non-trivial" chance that China could be involved.
"It's definitely a possibility and the likelihood that they can then access data that is collected by these drones is very high," he said."It's definitely a possibility and the likelihood that they can then access data that is collected by these drones is very high," he said.
The Pentagon and White House have both insisted that there is no foreign origin for the objects.The Pentagon and White House have both insisted that there is no foreign origin for the objects.
Van Drew and other lawmakers have pushed back on those denials.Van Drew and other lawmakers have pushed back on those denials.
"Here's the deal: they don't know what it is. They don't know what it's about," Van Drew told Fox News. "They have no idea where it comes from, but they know what it's not about? That's nonsense.""Here's the deal: they don't know what it is. They don't know what it's about," Van Drew told Fox News. "They have no idea where it comes from, but they know what it's not about? That's nonsense."
The Pentagon says there is no foreign origin for the objectsThe Pentagon says there is no foreign origin for the objects
Can the drones be stopped?Can the drones be stopped?
Several lawmakers have suggested that the drones should be shot down and analysed to determine their origin and intentions.Several lawmakers have suggested that the drones should be shot down and analysed to determine their origin and intentions.
The US Federal Aviation Administration has also established temporary flight restrictions prohibiting drone flights over Bedminster and Picatinny.The US Federal Aviation Administration has 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 or dangerous operations could face fines of up to $75,000 (£59,000) and have their drone pilot certificates revoked.In a statement, the FAA also warned that drone operators who conduct unsafe or dangerous 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 published on 13 December, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy urged federal agencies to "work together" to solve the mystery, as well as push Congress to extend counter-drone capabilities to local law enforcement.In a letter to US President Joe Biden published on 13 December, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy urged federal agencies to "work together" to solve the mystery, as well as push Congress to extend counter-drone capabilities to local law enforcement.
Some residents have suggested they may take action against the drones themselves.Some residents have suggested they may take action against the drones themselves.
"A good shotgun will fix that problem," a man commented on a video of a drone on social media."A good shotgun will fix that problem," a man commented on a video of a drone on social media.