For the past few weeks, something strange has been happening in the skies above New Jersey. Since November 18, state officials have reported seeing large drones flying every night. These drones are as big as six feet across, and they appear to be working together in a way that doesn’t match the usual behavior of hobbyist drones. These drones seem to know how to avoid detection and have been very hard to catch, even when helicopters are sent to investigate.
The New Jersey State Police (NJSP) recently held briefings for local mayors and lawmakers to discuss these mysterious sightings. The FBI is leading the investigation into what’s going on, but they’re not alone. The U.S. Coast Guard, Homeland Security, and even the U.S. military are involved, trying to figure out who is operating these drones and why.
The Sightings
The drones have been spotted almost every night, flying from dusk until around 11 PM. The number of drones seen in the sky each night can range from just a few to as many as 180. They seem to be flying in a coordinated way, and many state officials believe these are not your typical hobbyist drones.
One of the main concerns is that these drones are operating in a very unusual manner. They fly in groups, and their lights blink, but they sometimes turn them off to avoid being seen. Even when helicopters are deployed with high-tech infrared cameras to track them, the drones manage to disappear before they can be caught. In fact, despite using the best equipment, authorities have been unable to detect the drones or even figure out what kind of drones they are.
The Mystery Deepens
What makes these sightings even more mysterious is that no one knows where the drones are coming from or where they’re going. Local authorities, including the NJSP, have been trying to figure this out for weeks, but the drones seem to have no clear pattern. They appear to be hovering near critical infrastructure, like power plants, reservoirs, and military bases. This has raised suspicions that these drones could be part of a larger, more coordinated surveillance operation.
Some of the areas where the drones have been spotted include sensitive sites like the U.S. Army’s Picatinny Arsenal and even the Trump National Golf Course in Bedminster. In response, the FAA put up special restrictions in November to keep unauthorized drones from flying near these locations.
No Clear Answers
Despite all the attention and investigation, the question of who is behind these drones remains unanswered. Local officials, like Belleville Township Mayor Michael Melham, have stressed that the drones don’t appear to be operated by any government agency. However, the fact that they are avoiding detection and seem to be targeting specific sites has left many worried about what could be happening.
One of the biggest concerns is the lack of communication from federal and state agencies. Officials say there’s no immediate threat, but they also admit they don’t know enough about the drones to say for sure. This has led to frustration and confusion among local officials, who are calling for clearer answers and a more coordinated response.
Growing Fears
The mystery surrounding these drones is sparking fears about national security. What if these drones are being used to spy on the U.S. military or critical infrastructure? What if they’re part of a larger plot by foreign actors to gather information or even cause harm? The fact that these drones have managed to fly undetected for so long has made it clear that there are serious gaps in how the U.S. tracks and responds to potential drone threats.
As this situation continues to unfold, the pressure is mounting on local and federal authorities to figure out who is behind these mysterious drones and what they’re up to. While no one has said anything about an imminent threat, the mystery alone is enough to keep people on edge. Whether it’s a case of overblown hysteria or something more serious remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: these drones are causing a lot of unanswered questions—and people want answers.
