A large number of mysterious drones have been reported flying over New Jersey and across the eastern US, sparking speculation and concern over where they came from and why.
The FBI, the Homeland Security Department and state agencies have been investigating, but officials say there has been nothing so far to suggest that any drones have posed a national security or public safety threat.
The AP reports that in fact, authorities say, many of the drone sightings have actually been legal drones, manned aircraft, helicopters and even stars.
US President Joe Biden says there appears to be nothing nefarious about the flying objects.
Despite federal officials’ comments, many state and municipal lawmakers have nonetheless called for stricter rules about who can fly unmanned aircraft — and for the authority to shoot them out of the sky.
The House Intelligence Committee grilled federal law enforcement and intelligence officials about the drones during a closed-door meeting yesterday, Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut told CNN.
Authorities told the panel there still is no evidence that the drones are posing dangers.
Dozens of witnesses have reported seeing drones statewide since mid-November, including near the Picatinny Arsenal, a military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster.
Meanwhile, the FBI and New Jersey state police warned against pointing lasers at suspected drones, because aircraft pilots are being hit in the eyes more often.
Authorities also said they are concerned people might fire weapons at manned aircraft that they have mistaken for drones.
The growing anxiety among some residents is not lost on the Biden administration, which has faced criticism from Trump for not dealing with the matter more aggressively.
There are more than 1 million drones that are lawfully registered with the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States.
About 100 of the more than 5,000 drone sightings reported to the FBI in recent weeks were deemed credible enough to warrant more investigation, according to a joint statement by the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Defence.
Speculation has raged online, with some expressing concerns that the drones could be part of a nefarious plot by foreign agents or clandestine operations by the US government.
Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said it’s unlikely the drones are engaged in intelligence gathering, given how loud and bright they are.
source : AP News
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