The mysterious drone sightings over New Jersey, spanning several weeks and encompassing a wide geographical area, have baffled drone experts and sparked public speculation, ranging from classified government operations to foreign adversaries. However, experts dismiss the government testing theory due to the lack of notification to local law enforcement, a standard protocol for such activities. The drones, described as six feet in diameter and flying in coordinated formations with lights off, have prompted numerous sightings, but the absence of clear images or recovered hardware hinders definitive identification.
The initial reports, emerging in late November, described nightly drone activity from dusk until around 11 p.m. The sheer number of sightings, varying from four to 180 per night across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut, fuels the intrigue. While some speculate about a potential classified government program, drone experts find this unlikely, citing established procedures for informing local authorities during such tests. The preference for remote testing locations like Area 51 further reinforces their skepticism.
Brett Velicovich, CEO of Expert Drones and a Fox News contributor, doubts the government involvement, attributing the numerous reports to potential misidentification of conventional aircraft or a snowballing public perception where any aerial object is deemed a drone. This view is echoed by Stacie Pettyjohn, a drone expert at the Center for New American Security, who emphasizes the typical use of military bases or testing facilities for such operations, rather than overflights of sensitive industrial areas as witnessed in New Jersey.
Adding to the complexity are theories suggesting a foreign nexus, particularly involving an Iranian “mothership.” However, the Pentagon denies any evidence linking the drones to U.S. adversaries. Velicovich, while acknowledging the capabilities of countries like China, Russia, and Iran to deploy long-range drone systems, remains unconvinced of foreign involvement. Pettyjohn posits that the drones are likely operated by individuals within the U.S., potentially spies or other nefarious actors, given the limited flight endurance of most drones necessitating local operators.
The FBI, acknowledging the public concern, has stated that many reported sightings are actually manned aircraft operating legally. They confirm the use of various detection methods but have yet to corroborate any visual sightings with electronic detection. Furthermore, they emphasize the absence of sightings in restricted airspace and the lack of evidence suggesting a national security or public safety threat or a foreign connection. This official statement contrasts sharply with the public speculation and highlights the difficulty in verifying the nature of the observed phenomena.
While the mystery persists, the limited budget for counter-drone technology within the FBI, a mere $500,000 annually, underscores the challenges in addressing such incidents. China expert Gordon Chang speculates that the drones, if indeed they are drones, could be a distraction tactic by an adversary, designed to divert attention from other activities. This theory, while speculative, adds another layer of complexity to an already perplexing situation. Ultimately, the absence of concrete evidence continues to fuel uncertainty and allows for a range of interpretations, from misidentification and public hysteria to more nefarious possibilities.
