The FBI says it has received about 5,000 reports about drones. Social media groups have sprung up around the phenomenon, sharing video footage of observations and guessing what it’s all about.
Authorities in the United States have received thousands of sightings of “flying objects” in the past few weeks. The objects have been suspected of being drones.
The observations have caused consternation on social media. For example, Facebook groups have sprung up around the phenomenon, where video footage of the sightings is shared and guesses are made as to what it’s all about.
Where have drones been spotted?
A large part of the observations have been made on the east coast and especially in the state of New Jersey.
Drones have been spotted, for example, near military targets, such as the military research facility near the Picatinny Arsenal. Drones were also spotted by the incoming president Donald Trump’s owned golf course near the town of Bedminster.
Observations closed also the airspace at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.
There have been drones before observed in addition in a few European countries near US military bases. According to the BBC’s British defense sources, a “state actor” is suspected to have been behind the observations.
At the beginning of December drones were spotted also in the vicinity of the US Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
What have the authorities said about drones?
Numerous different authorities have commented on drones.
The main message has been that authorities do not believe the suspected Drones pose a danger to citizens or national security. However, aviation authorities have imposed ground rules because of the sightings, and the federal government has given states additional resources to investigate the sightings.
Federal Police FBI announced on Dec. 14 that it has received about 5,000 reports of drones. Only less than a hundred of the notifications have led to further measures.
Minister responsible for internal security Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed on Sunday that the sightings consist of drones and manned aircraft.
According to Mayorkas, there are no indications of “action by foreign powers” in the observations.
According to Mayorkas, it is possible that the increased number of observations is explained by the change in the law made last year. At that time, the federal government also allowed drones to be flown at night.
New Jersey State Congressman Dawn Fantasia According to the report, the drones that have been observed have a wingspan of almost two meters and they often fly without lights and “act in a coordinated manner”.
According to him, it also seems that drones have not been detected using traditional methods, such as helicopters or radio reconnaissance. Fantasia took a stand on the issue on December 11 at a press conference organized with the Ministry of Security.
Who flies the drones?
It is currently unclear who has been flying the drones that have been spotted.
However, the White House, the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security have publicly assured that the drones did not come from abroad.
Some US politicians are suspectedthat the drones originated from an Iranian “mothership” in the Atlantic, or that they would Chinese operation. No valid evidence has been presented for the claims.
Can something be done about drones?
Authorities have urged not to shoot drones, as there are safety risks involved in their falling. A falling drone can, for example, hit people, buildings or other flying objects.
Shooting down drones is also illegal under federal law.
The US Civil Aviation Authority stated for NBC Newsthat shooting down drones “may result in civil penalties and/or criminal prosecution by federal, state or local law enforcement.”
However, several politicians have demanded permission from the federal government to “intervene in drone cases”.
The future president Donald Trump in turn has demanded that the drones should be shot down.
– Can all this happen without our government knowing. I don’t think so! Tell the public about it right away. Otherwise, shoot them down! Trump wrote on social media.