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2024 New Jersey drone sightings

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In late November 2024, large unidentified drones began appearing during nighttime hours over multiple counties in New Jersey, later spreading to areas of New York City.[1][2][3][4] The sightings, which often involved multiple drones operating together, baffled residents and local authorities. The FBI, New Jersey State Police, and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness are among the agencies investigating the matter.[5][6] Elected officials have demanded greater transparency and action, and new legislative efforts are underway to help address the issue. Meanwhile, similar unexplained drone incursions have also been reported at United States military bases in the United Kingdom.[7]

Patterns of sightings and affected areas

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Initial reports were documented in Morris and Somerset counties,[8] followed by sightings in numerous other counties[note 1] and eventually on Staten Island and in parts of Brooklyn.[10][11] Witnesses described the drones as often appearing in groups, sometimes accompanied by what seemed to be a fixed-wing aircraft.[12] Some drones were reported to be as large as SUVs and capable of operating in strong winds.[13][14]

The drones were observed flying over residential areas and critical infrastructure—such as power lines, railroads, highways, and along the Raritan River corridor—as well as near facilities including Naval Weapons Station Earle, the Round Valley Reservoir, and Hunterdon County's emergency communications center, and police stations.[15][16][17] On November 26, 2024, a medevac helicopter mission in the Branchburg area was delayed due to the presence of drones, preventing the immediate transport of a seriously injured patient.[18]

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented temporary flight restrictions around sensitive sites, including Picatinny Arsenal and President-elect Trump’s Bedminster golf club, due to the mysterious drone activities.[15][6][19] These restrictions were set to last from November 22 to December 6 over the golf course and from November 25 to December 26 over the military base.[19]

Investigation and official responses

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The investigation involves multiple agencies led by the FBI’s Newark Field Office. Local officials confirmed they do not know the drones' origin and voiced concerns over their potentially "nefarious" nature.[15][5] Authorities have stated there is no known immediate threat to public safety but continue to solicit tips from the public.[6] More than 3,000 sightings have been reported to a tip line recently set up by the FBI, although no significant breakthroughs have been made.[17] New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy held discussions with Alejandro Mayorkas, the United States Secretary of Homeland Security, and Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis requested briefings from federal agencies.[17][5][10]

In response to the disturbances, Congressman Josh Gottheimer introduced legislation seeking to increase law enforcement funding for drone-tracking technology, restrict weapon attachments to drones, and impose penalties for drone interference with emergency, law enforcement, or military operations.[11] Senator Jon Bramnick called for a "limited state of emergency" and suggested a temporary ban on all drones until an explanation is provided for the sightings.[17] Nineteen elected New Jersey officials—including fifteen mayors—demanded greater transparency and engagement from the FAA, DHS, and New Jersey State Police.[11][20]

As of December 8, 2024, the United States Army confirmed eleven drone sightings over Picatinny Arsenal,[1] and Governor Murphy described the drones as "very sophisticated" in evading observation.[2] In a December 10 Congressional hearing, Congressman Chris Smith noted that a United States Coast Guard ship had been followed by at least a dozen drones.[21] When asked about the drones, the FBI’s Assistant Director of the Critical Incident Response Group stated that the agency still had no information about their nature or origin.[3][17]

USNORTHCOM conducted a deliberate analysis of the events, in consultation with other military organizations and interagency partners... at this time we have not been requested to assist with these events.[17]

United States Northern Command

On December 11, 2024, U.S. Representative Jeff Van Drew claimed the drones were being launched from an Iranian "mothership" off the United States east coast.[17] However, the Pentagon refuted this, stating there was no evidence the drones were from a US adversary or part of the United States military.[22][17] Also on December 11, United States Northern Command stated that they are aware of the incursions over military sites and that they have not been requested to assist.[17]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Drones have been reported in at least twelve New Jersey counties, including:[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b Kelley, Tina (December 8, 2024). "N.J. military base had 11 'confirmed' mystery drone sightings, Army says". NJ.com. Archived from the original on December 10, 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Nichols, Flynn (December 10, 2024). "Mystery New Jersey Drones 'Go Dark' When Spotted: Governor". Newsweek. Archived from the original on December 10, 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Westhoven, William (December 10, 2024). "FBI to frustrated Congress: 'We just don't know' who is behind mystery drone flights in NJ". Daily Record (New Jersey). Archived from the original on December 11, 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  4. ^ Shipkowski, Bruce (December 4, 2024). "FBI investigating reports of large drones flying in New Jersey, seeks public's help". AP News.
  5. ^ a b c Murdoch, Jim (December 6, 2024). "Officials: More drones spotted across New Jersey, this time at the Jersey Shore". News 12. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Nicholls, Flynn (December 10, 2024). "FBI Issues Statement as Mystery Drone Sightings Reach New York". Newsweek. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  7. ^ "What's going on with drones spotted over air bases in the UK?". Sky News. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  8. ^ Caloway, Nick (December 3, 2024). "Video shows drones circling the skies of New Jersey. Here's what the FBI is doing about them". CBS New York.
  9. ^ McDougall, AJ (December 11, 2024). "Mystery drone sightings expand to more N.J. counties. Here's what we know". NJ.com. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Maxfield, Jen (December 7, 2024). "FAA imposes flight restrictions as NJ drone mystery extends to Staten Island". NBC New York. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  11. ^ a b c Yates, Toni (December 10, 2024). "NJ lawmakers call for partial 'state of emergency' amid recent drone sightings in several counties". ABC7 New York. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  12. ^ Cervantes, Fernando Jr. (December 7, 2024). "More drone sightings reported in New Jersey as officials investigate: Here's what to know". USA TODAY. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  13. ^ Alexander, Dan (December 5, 2024). "Mysterious drone sightings puzzle New Jersey residents". New Jersey 101.5.
  14. ^ Hughes, Ryan; Cavallo, Matthew; Brandt, Joe; Gardiner, Tom (December 7, 2024). "Mysterious drones seen near New Jersey Trump golf course after Gov. Murphy, FBI respond to other sightings". CBS Philadelphia. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  15. ^ a b c McFadden, Alyce (December 7, 2024). "Unidentified Drones Light Up New Jersey's Skies, Baffling Residents". The New York Times.
  16. ^ Martin, Saleen; Westhoven, William; Morel, Kyle (December 4, 2024). "Drone sightings reported over New Jersey, now FBI involved. Here's what we know so far". Daily Record. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i Pilkington, Ed (December 11, 2024). "Mysterious New Jersey drone sightings prompt call for 'state of emergency'". The Guardian. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  18. ^ Kelley, Tina (December 4, 2024). "Mystery drones kept helicopter from taking patient to N.J. hospital, college says". NJ.com.
  19. ^ a b Kelley, Tina (December 2, 2024). "After nighttime flights, FAA bans drones over Trump's NJ golf course". NJ.com. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  20. ^ Cite error: The named reference Burrow Record Drones Mayors 2024-12-08 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  21. ^ Calderón, Jenna; Kruse, Lisa Robyn (December 10, 2024). "NJ congressman says 50 drones came in from the ocean; at least a dozen trailed Coast Guard ship". Asbury Park Press. Archived from the original on December 10, 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  22. ^ "No Iranian drone 'mothership' off the United States launching drones, Pentagon says". Reuters.
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