Unidentified Drones Spotted Over US Military Installations
Mysterious drones have been frequently observed in the night skies over New Jersey and neighboring areas for the past month. These drones have led to sightings over several U.S. military installations, including footage capturing them flying over residential neighborhoods. Notably, a swarm of drones was reported trailing a U.S. Coast Guard rescue vessel, coinciding with accounts from New Jersey law enforcement regarding 50 drones arriving onshore from the ocean. The identity of the operators remains unknown, raising questions about whether this is a coordinated effort.
The unusual incidents have prompted responses from state governors, legislators, and members of Congress, with the FBI initiating an investigation and urging the public to report any drone sightings.
Eyewitnesses describe these drones as emitting noise comparable to lawnmowers, with some reported to be nearly the size of small cars—significantly larger than standard consumer quadcopters. “These are not typical, small unmanned aerial systems available for around $2,000,” noted an expert. “They appear to possess greater range and sophistication than commercially available drones.”
Numerous blurry nighttime videos capturing drone activity have surfaced across various states, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. One notable video features drones flying above the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in New York City. In response to the sightings, the Federal Aviation Administration has put drone flight restrictions in place over Trump National Golf Club and Picatinny Arsenal Military Base in New Jersey. These sightings come amid a surge of similar drone swarms observed near military bases in the U.K., which also host U.S. Air Force operations.
On December 10, the House Committee on Homeland Security conducted a hearing focusing on drone threats, featuring officials from federal agencies including the FBI and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. During the session, they indicated that recent sightings may involve a mix of rotor and fixed-wing drones, but provided limited information regarding their purpose and operators. Officials confirmed, however, that the drones do not currently pose a significant threat. In a related briefing, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security suggested that some reported sightings may actually be misidentified aircraft.
Local officials in New Jersey have clarified that the drones in question are neither operated by the U.S. military nor a domestic technology company.
In the U.K., authorities have launched investigations into multiple drone incursions near various military establishments, beginning November 20. These bases support U.S. Air Force squadrons that operate fighter jets, bombers, and support aircraft.
Experts express concern over the ongoing difficulty in detecting and managing small drones. “A consistent challenge in these cases is the lack of reliable means for finding and tracking these drones,” one analyst stated. “If the operator is intentionally evading detection, it complicates the effort to counter such drones significantly.”
While radar and other sensors can detect drones, coverage for the entire country remains impractical, leaving authorities vulnerable to activity in a vast amount of airspace. “Typically, once a citizen identifies a drone and reports it, it’s already too late for preemptive action,” the analyst added.
There is also ongoing uncertainty regarding which local or federal entities hold responsibility for responding to these drones. Even with clarified authority, addressing the issue effectively presents its own set of challenges.
Potential countermeasures include measures to disable drones, employing missiles, lasers, or electronic warfare signals to take control of and land suspicious drones. Such technologies have been successfully utilized in conflict zones, though concerns arise regarding the safety of deploying hazardous measures in civilian areas.
“Deploying high-powered projectiles or military-grade jammers whenever a drone is sighted is unfeasible,” the analyst remarked. “Such responses could create dangerous situations in populated areas.”
