Unidentified Drones Perform Nighttime Flights Over New Jersey
Groups of substantial drones kept appearing in the skies over New Jersey this week. These self-guided devices were active during the night and were reported to be significantly larger than typical recreational drones. There have been instances where they were described as being as big as a car. Unfortunately, it remains unclear what the drones were up to, where they vanished to, or who was controlling them.
The enigma of these Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) first surfaced on social media, where users shared videos and photographs they had captured while the drones were cruising through their neighborhoods. As the news of these sightings spread, the government was compelled to address the issue.
On Thursday, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy shared a statement via social media, mentioning that he had convened a meeting with the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to discuss the “reported drone activity over parts of North and Central New Jersey.” He further expressed that the government was "actively monitoring the situation and in close coordination with our federal and law enforcement partners."
During a press conference on Friday, Walt Miller, the police chief of Jersey’s Evesham township, spoke to journalists about the flood of reports regarding the drones. "They weren't your typical drone one might use at home," Miller said. "They were sizable, some even resembling an SUV, with flashing lights attached." After the influx of reports about the aerial vehicles, the police chief said his department had reached out to the New Jersey state police to try and discern why these robotic flyers were in action. Apparently, they had drawn a blank. "At present, we're still investigating. We have no leads on the drones' ownership or their purpose," Miller informed journalists on Friday.
Now, Miller revealed that his department was collaborating with the FBI and federal authorities to decipher the situation. Miller expressed his concerns about the drones' activities while also noting their impressive ability to withstand the powerful winds that were sweeping through the area that night. "Small recreational drones wouldn't have been able to fly in such conditions," he said. In contrast, the drones that had flown over the township had managed to "navigate the weather" with relative ease.
The Federal Aviation Administration (apparently) has imposed restrictions on drone flights in the area, allowing law enforcement to continue their investigation of the sightings.
The governor's statement hinted at a potential future where such drone incidents might require closer scrutiny and collaboration between state and federal authorities. With advancements in technology and 'tech', these drones demonstrate an unprecedented level of sophistication and resilience, setting a new benchmark in the realm of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.
