What we know about the mysterious drones buzzing over New Jersey
What we know about the mysterious drones buzzing over New Jersey
(about 2 hours later)
Dozens of people have reported seeing drones over New Jersey since 18 November
Dozens of people have reported seeing drones over New Jersey since 18 November
Mystery continues to swirl after 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 after nearly a month of drone sightings over New Jersey and other US states, alarming some residents.
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 Sunday, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed the sightings included drones, as well as manned aircraft commonly mistaken for drones.
But on Sunday, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said some of the sightings were in fact of drones, as well as manned aircraft commonly mistaken for drones.
He added that he knows of "no foreign involvement" to do with the unmanned aerial vehicles.
He added that he knows of "no foreign involvement" linked to the drone sightings.
Some lawmakers have criticised the government's handling of the drone reports and the lack of public information.
Some lawmakers have criticised the government's handling of the drone reports and the lack of information available to the public.
Here's what we know.
Here's what we know.
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, but others have been reported elsewhere, including New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland and Virginia.
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.
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.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has since issued temporary flight restrictions prohibiting drone flights over Bedminster and Picatinny.
Officers who responded to the incident saw the drones flying overhead, but they disappeared soon afterwards.
In nearby New York City, several drones were reported flying over the Bronx on 12 December.
Drones have also been reported in other parts of the state, according to New York State Police, with runways at New York's Stewart Airfield forced to shut down because of drone activity on Friday 13 December, according to Governor Kathy Hochul.
Drones have also been reported in other parts of the state, according to New York State Police.
"Last night, the runways at Stewart Airfield were shut down for approximately one hour due to drone activity in the airspace. This has gone too far," she said in a statement released Saturday.
Runways at New York's Stewart Airfield shut down for about an hour because of drone activity on Friday 13 December, according to Governor Kathy Hochul.
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.
"This has gone too far," she said in a statement on Saturday.
Police in Connecticut have also confirmed "suspicious drone activity". A drone detection system has been deployed around the towns of Groton and New London.
FBI investigates possible drones seen over Trump golf course
FBI 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 said he saw what appeared to be "dozens" of drones over his home in Davidsonville.
"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."
He wrote on X. "The public is growing increasingly concerned and frustrated with the complete lack of transparency and the dismissive attitude of the federal government."
And in Boston, Massachusetts, two people were arrested on Saturday 14 December following what police called a "hazardous drone operation" near Logan Airport's airspace on Long Island.
In Boston, Massachusetts, two men were arrested on Saturday 14 December following what police called a "hazardous drone operation" near Logan Airport's airspace on Long Island.
Both suspects, named as Robert Duffy and Jeremy Folcik, face charges of trespassing, and may be charged with other offences or face fines.
In late November, drones were also spotted over three US airbases in the UK, with British defence sources telling the BBC suspicion had fallen on a "state actor".
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.
Are mystery drones above US bases in England something sinister?
UK defence sources told the BBC that suspicion had fallen on a "state actor" being responsible for the incursions.
Drones were also reported near the Ramstein US military airbase in Germany in early December.
Drones were also reported near the Ramstein US military airbase in Germany in early December.
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 have investigators said about the drones?
What have investigators said about the drones?
In a call with reporters, officials from several US agencies attempted to assure people that the drones were not the work of a foreign actor or a national security threat.
In a call with reporters, officials from several US agencies said there was no evidence of any threat to public safety.
"I think there has been a slight overreaction" an official from the FBI said.
"I think there has been a slight overreaction," an official from the FBI said, emphasising there was no evidence of any threat to public safety.
While downplaying public concern, the authorities were keen to reiterate that investigations into the drone sightings were still under way.
The homeland security secretary told ABC News on Sunday he knows of "no foreign involvement with respect to the sightings in the north-east".
"We certainly understand why people are concerned. That's one of the reasons we're devoting significant resources," the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said.
"And we are vigilant in investigating this matter," he added.
"At the same time, it's important to understand that we don't have any current evidence that there's a threat to public safety" the DHS added.
He added: "If there is any reason for concern, if we identify any foreign involvement or criminal activity, we will communicate with the American public accordingly."
The homeland security secretary told ABC News on Sunday he knows of "no foreign involvement with respect to the sightings in the north-east. And we are vigilant in investigating this matter."
He added: "If there is any reason for concern, if we identify any foreign involvement or criminal activity, we will communicate with the American public accordingly".
He said additional resources, personnel and technology had been deployed to assist New Jersey State Police in investigating the drone sightings.
He added that the Department of Homeland Security was working in "close coordination" with state and local authorities, adding it was "critical" that state and local authorities be given the ability to counter drone activity under federal supervision.
New York State Governor Hochul said Sunday that while she was grateful to the federal government for its support so far, more was needed. "Congress must pass a law that will give us the power to deal directly with the drones," she wrote in a post on X.
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.
Both federal and state authorities have said that they do not believe the drones 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 appeared 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 aircraft were up to 6ft (1.8m) in diameter, travelling 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".
The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security also said that the majority of sightings appear to be lawful, manned flights or drones.
None have been reported in restricted airspace, the statement added.
Secretary Mayorkas told ABC that an explanation for the uptick in drone sightings could be to do with a change in federal law last year that allowed drones to be flown at night.
Secretary Mayorkas told ABC that an explanation for the uptick in drone sightings could be to do with a change in federal law last year that allowed drones to be flown at night.
"That may be one of the reasons why now people are seeing more drones than they did before, especially from dawn to dusk," he said.
"That may be one of the reasons why now people are seeing more drones than they did before, especially from dawn to dusk," he said.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a statement Friday saying more and more people are using drones, meaning more people are noticing them in the sky.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that drones can be flown in most locations below 400ft (121m).
It added that while drones can be flown in most locations below 400ft (121m), drones can't be flown within controlled airspace around an airport without FAA authorisation; over designated, national security-sensitive facilities; in certain military bases, infrastructure and national landmarks; and in airspace covered by temporary flight restrictions.
But there are a number of restrictions around where drones can be flown:
within controlled airspace around an airport without FAA authorisation
over designated, national security-sensitive facilities
in certain military bases, infrastructure and national landmarks
in airspace covered by temporary flight restrictions.
Where are they coming from?
Where are they coming from?
If the objects are confirmed to be drones - which at this point is unconfirmed - it is unclear who might be operating them.
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.
New Jersey Republican representative Jeff Van Drew said that the drones were coming from an Iranian "mothership" in the Atlantic, while Illinois Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi said there was a "non-trivial" chance that China could be involved.
The Pentagon swiftly dismissed the comment, saying "there is no truth to that".
The Pentagon, White House and homeland security department have all insisted that there is no foreign origin for the objects.
"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.
In a separate incident across the country, a northern California man was charged on with flying a drone over and taking pictures of Vandenberg Space Force Base, located near Santa Barbara, on 30 November.
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.
The man, 39-year-old Chinese national Yinpiao Zhou was arrested just before he boarded a flight to China.
"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.
There has been no suggestion that the incident is related to the spate of drone reports on the east coast.
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.
"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."
In a separate incident across the country, a northern California man was charged on 11 December with flying a drone over and taking pictures of Vandenberg Space Force Base, located near Santa Barbara.
The incident is alleged to have taken place on 30 November, according to prosecutors.
The man, 39-year-old Chinese national Yinpiao Zhou was arrested just before he boarded a flight to China. He appeared in court on Tuesday and no plea was was taken.
There has been no suggestion that the incident is related to the spate of reported drone sightings on the east coast.
The Pentagon says there is no foreign origin for the objects
The 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.
President-elect Donald Trump has suggested the drones couldn't be flying without the government's knowledge.
Among them is President-elect Donald Trump, who took to his Truth Social media platform to suggest that drones couldn't be flying without the government's knowledge.
"Let the public know, and now," he wrote on his Truth Social media platform. "Otherwise, shoot them down."
"Let the public know, and now," he wrote. "Otherwise, shoot them down".
Authorities have warned against shooting down drones as it is illegal.
The US Federal Aviation Administration has also established temporary flight restrictions prohibiting drone flights over Bedminster and Picatinny.
In a statement, the FAA 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.
New York State Governor Hochul has called on the federal government to allow states to crack down on the drones.
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.
"Congress must pass a law that will give us the power to deal directly with the drones," she wrote in a post on X.
Some residents have suggested they may take action against the drones themselves - something authorities have strongly warned against doing, as it is illegal.
"A good shotgun will fix that problem," a man commented on a video of a drone on social media.
