The US department of homeland security (DHS), in a joint statement with the FBI, federal aviation administration (FAA), and department of defense (DoD), has addressed recent concerns about drone sightings in a joint statement released on Tuesday. The statement clarified the nature of the sightings, ongoing investigations, and steps being taken to ensure public safety and security.
While most reports involve legitimate drone activity, authorities revealed that some sightings were mistakenly attributed to manned aircraft, helicopters, or even stars.
According to the DHS, over one million drones are lawfully registered with the FAA in the United States. On any given day, thousands of commercial, hobbyist, and law enforcement drones operate legally in US airspace, and this number is expected to grow with advancements in technology.
Drones and a mysterious winged aircraft were captured flying over NJ. The FBI is now investigating.
Joint statement on drone sightings:
- The FBI has received over 5,000 reports of drone sightings in recent weeks, generating approximately 100 investigative leads.
- Federal agencies are assisting state and local authorities in investigating these reports.
- Advanced detection technology and trained visual observers have been deployed to affected areas.
- Initial analysis indicates sightings include a mix of lawful drones (commercial, hobbyist, and law enforcement), manned aircraft, and natural phenomena like stars.
- No evidence of anomalous activity has been found.
- These sightings do not pose a national security or public safety threat, particularly in civilian airspace over New Jersey or other northeastern states.
- Authorities acknowledge public concern and continue to collaborate with local agencies using advanced detection technology.
- Limited drone sightings have occurred near military installations, including restricted airspace in New Jersey and other locations.
- Such sightings are not new, and the DoD treats unauthorised access seriously, coordinating detection and mitigation efforts with relevant authorities.
Meanwhile, for weeks, residents in New Jersey and other US states have reported witnessing thousands of unidentified lighted drones flying overhead, fueling conspiracy theories and raising public anxiety. The unusual phenomenon led lawmakers to press the Biden administration for answers about the mysterious sightings.
