Amanda CastroHannah Parry

By Amanda Castro and Hannah Parry

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Recent drone sightings across New Jersey, New York, and some other eastern areas of the U.S. have led to widespread speculation, with experts suggesting the drones may be searching for gas leaks or radioactive material. John Ferguson, CEO of Saxon Aerospace, shared his theory in a viral TikTok video, explaining that drones flying at night likely have a specific target in mind. He speculated they may be monitoring hazardous substances, saying, "If they are flying that low, they're trying to smell something on the ground."The FBI has received over 3,000 tips about the sightings, mostly occurring at night. Ferguson's theory aligns with concerns that the drones may be used for environmental monitoring, though there's no official confirmation of this. Meanwhile, conspiracy theories have flourished online, including the revival of the Project Blue Beam theory, which claims a staged alien invasion could be used to establish a global government. Despite the lack of evidence, the theory has garnered millions of views on social media. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas suggested the uptick in drone sightings could be tied to a 2023 Federal Aviation Administration rule change that allows drones to fly at night, potentially explaining the rise in reports. Authorities continue to investigate the mystery, as residents and lawmakers demand more information on the drones' purpose and origin.

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Dec 16, 2024 at 07:53 PM EST

Whoopi Goldberg has a bold theory about those mysterious drones

Whoopi Goldberg and her co-hosts on The View took a moment to talk about the reports of "drones" flying in the sky at night in New Jersey and other states in the Northeast.

The 69-year-old addressed the flying anomalies that have been reported in the news as of late during the Monday, December 16 episode of the talk show. In the segment, Goldberg described the drones as "UFO-like things" before showing a video of the sightings.

In the clips, various news outlets and experts weigh in on the mystery without much definite knowledge of what is actually going on, questioning the government's role in it.

Read in full from Mauricio Viladegutt on Newsweek.


Dec 16, 2024 at 07:19 PM EST

Map shows states deploying drone detection systems as mystery continues

Oklahoma and New York's governors have announced that they are deploying drone detection systems amid ongoing mysterious drone sightings across the United States.

Newsweek reached out to the Oklahoma Governor's Office and the New York Governor's Office through their websites for comment.

Why It Matters

Last month, people in New Jersey began making multiple reports about mysterious drones spotted flying at night. Some drones are described to be about the size of a car, and some are seen with flashing lights.

Since the New Jersey reports, drones have also been spotted in New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and California, among others.

Read in full from Anna Skinner on Newsweek.


Dec 16, 2024 at 07:12 PM EST

New Jersey Governor gives drones update: ‘Little or no evidence’ of threat

Phil Murphy

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New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat, announced Monday that drone-detection systems deployed across the state last week uncovered "little to no evidence" of malicious activities, despite growing concerns over mysterious nighttime sightings of drones across the Northeast.

Why It Matters

Amid the rise in drone sightings, federal officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, have repeatedly sought to calm public anxieties, affirming there's no evidence of foreign involvement or ill intent behind the sightings.

"There's no question that people are seeing drones," Mayorkas told ABC's George Stephanopoulos on Sunday. "But I want to assure the American public that we are on it. We are working in close coordination with state and local authorities."

However, conspiracy theories have flourished online, ranging from foreign espionage to government cover-ups.

President-elect Donald Trump added fuel to speculation on Monday, cryptically suggesting that "the government knows what is happening."

Read in full from Natalie Venegas on Newsweek.


Dec 16, 2024 at 06:22 PM EST

Chuck Schumer will push for legislation to tackle drones

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer wants to push for legislation to tackle drones after multiple sightings across New York and New Jersey.

"The reports of the past few weeks have ignited immense anxiety and confusion for millions of people living across the Northeast," Schumer said on the Senate floor Monday. "Thankfully, there is no reason to believe these drone sightings pose a national security threat."

"But even so they can be disruptive if they fly over restricted airspace like airports or bases."

Schumer said he wants to give local officials more authority to respond to drone activity and urged Department of Homeland Security to deploy as much drone-detecting resources as possible.


Dec 16, 2024 at 05:29 PM EST

White House issues drone update as sightings persist

The White House has issued an update on drones first spotted over New Jersey, and now seen across multiple states.

White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby said, during a press conference Monday that the drones were in fact a mix of different aircraft.

"We assess that the sightings to date include a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and even stars that were mistakenly reported as drones," he said.

"We have not identified anything anomalous or any national security or public safety risk over the civilian airspace in New Jersey or other states in the Northeast. The work continues."

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Dec 16, 2024 at 03:59 PM EST

What Donald Trump has said about drones

President-elect Donald Trump has weighed in several times over the last few days on a slew of drone sightings in the Northeast and suggested the Biden administration is withholding information from the public.

The mystery drones were first spotted over New Jersey last month, according to a report from NJ.com, and they've since been seen across the state and in other parts of the Northeast.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and local law enforcement officials are investigating the sightings, some of which have been near critical infrastructure sites and military installations.

The Federal Aviation Administration temporarily restricted flights over some areas, including Trump's golf club in New Jersey, amid the flurry of sightings.

Read the full story by Sonam Sheth on Newsweek.


Dec 16, 2024 at 02:53 PM EST

Drone recovered at Nantucket Memorial Airport

A small drone was recovered at Nantucket Memorial Airport yesterday morning, an airport spokesperson confirmed to NBC News. The drone was found on a section of pavement designated for the safe operation of aircraft.

The discovery was promptly reported to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), both of which will investigate the incident. Officials said the drone is a small multirotor model, weighing less than 0.55 pounds, which can be purchased online. If used for recreational purposes, it may not require FAA registration.

While the incident has not disrupted flight operations at the airport, authorities are reminding drone operators to avoid flying near airports and to obtain proper airspace authorization before operating their devices. The identity of the drone operator remains unclear.


Dec 16, 2024 at 02:34 PM EST

How New Jersey governor candidates responded to drone sightings

New Jersey gubernatorial candidates offered various reactions to the mysterious drone sightings over the Garden State.

Recent drone sightings across New Jersey and other eastern states have sparked concerns, as little information about what they may be has been made public. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) assured Americans in a statement last Thursday that there was "no evidence" that the sightings pose a public safety or security threat or have a foreign origin.

The sightings come as the race to replace New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is 11 months out. The sightings present an opportunity for both Democratic and Republican candidates to show how they might lead the state in a potential crisis.

Historically, whichever party isn't holding the presidency does well in New Jersey's gubernatorial elections, giving Democrats optimism about holding the office next year, but the state shifted to the right in this year's elections, with President-elect Donald Trump losing it by only about 6 percentage points.

Read the full story by Andrew Stanton on Newsweek.


Dec 16, 2024 at 01:46 PM EST

Trump says he canceled trip to Bedminster because of New Jersey drones

Trump Bedminster

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President-elect Donald Trump said Monday that he canceled a trip to Bedminster, New Jersey, due to the ongoing concerns about drone sightings in the region.

Both the FBI and local police are investigating the drone sightings, which authorities say have been reported in several areas along the Raritan River since November 18. The drones, some reportedly the size of small cars, have been described as operating near military installations and critical infrastructure including Picatinny Arsenal and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.

The drones have been also sighted near Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey.

"They're very close to Bedminster," Trump said during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Monday. "I think I won't spend the weekend in Bedminster. I decided to cancel my trip."

Read the full story by Monica Sager on Newsweek.


Dec 16, 2024 at 12:58 PM EST

Rep. Josh Gottheimer calls for air traffic control system to track drones

Rep. Josh Gottheimer is urging federal agencies to implement an air traffic control system to track drones, stressing that New Jersey and the nation should not become "the wild west of drones." He emphasized the need for a proper tracking system to monitor large, unlicensed drones that have been causing concern, rather than dismissing reports from the public.

"We need a proper system to track the activity. People shouldn't have to worry about what's overhead," Gottheimer said. To help address the issue, he launched a tips page on his website, allowing New Jersey residents to share information about their drone sightings.

Gottheimer also criticized officials who downplay the concerns of constituents, calling it "an insult to the American people." He called on the Department of Homeland Security, FAA, FBI, and Department of Defense to provide regular updates on the situation. "It doesn't make sense to claim people aren't seeing what's in the sky," Gottheimer added.


Dec 16, 2024 at 12:41 PM EST

Where else have drones been spotted?

Dozens of New Jersey residents have reported seeing drones over their state since mid-November when they were spotted over Raritan River.

The drones were soon seen statewide, including Donald Trump's golf course in Bedminster and near the military research Picatinny Arsenal.

Now, they have been spotted across the U.S.


Dec 16, 2024 at 12:25 PM EST

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul says drones have ‘gone too far’

Gov. Kathy Hochul says drones have "gone too far" after they were spotted over New York City.

Runways at Stewart International Airport, around 60 miles north of the city, had to be closed for an hour because of drones in the area, she said.

Hochul is demanding Congress give the FAA stronger oversight of drones and more investigative power to local agencies.

Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the city was investigating the sightings over his city, and working with New Jersey officials.


Dec 16, 2024 at 11:46 AM EST

Virginia governor expresses concern over lack of federal information on mysterious drone sightings

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin expressed deep concern over the federal government's lack of information regarding recent drone sightings in the state and across the Northeast. Drones have been spotted flying over parts of Maryland, New Jersey, and other East Coast areas, raising questions about their origin and purpose.

"The Commonwealth of Virginia is home to a significant number of national security and critical infrastructure sites upon which our nation depends each and every day," Youngkin said. "I remain deeply concerned that Virginia has consistently sought information from federal partners, and to date, the information shared with the Commonwealth has been insufficient."

He added, "We will continue to engage with numerous federal partners and release further information as it becomes known and available."


Dec 16, 2024 at 11:28 AM EST

What Trump has said about the mystery drones

President-elect Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Friday to raise concerns about the growing number of mysterious drone sightings across the country, questioning whether the government is unaware of the situation.

"Can this really be happening without our government's knowledge?" he wrote, adding, "I don't think so!"

Trump also suggested that the drones should be shot down, but his proposal has sparked debate.

Other officials have expressed concern about the safety risks of shooting drones down near populated areas, citing the potential danger posed by falling debris.


Dec 16, 2024 at 11:13 AM EST

Some drone sightings are sometimes ‘mistaken identity’

Federal officials are addressing recent drone sightings across the East Coast, with the FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) attributing many of the reports to "mistaken identity." According to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, most of the sightings are likely misidentifications of small, legally operating manned aircraft or commercial drones. "We know of no threat or nefarious activity," Mayorkas told CNN, adding that any new concerns would be transparently communicated.

Former FBI agent Tom Adams also suggested that some recent sightings may be due to copycats inspired by media coverage, noting that misidentifications of planets, crewed aircraft, and satellites are common during nighttime reports. The FBI has received over 5,000 tips, though fewer than 100 have led to further investigation.

However, the Department of Defense remains concerned about the "irresponsible" nature of the sightings, particularly around critical infrastructure, such as Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle in New Jersey. Despite assurances from federal agencies that no national security threat has been identified, some lawmakers, like Sen. Richard Blumenthal, remain skeptical of the federal response, calling for more transparency and briefings.

In Belleville, New Jersey, local officials have taken precautionary measures, including involving bomb squads and emergency response teams, as the true nature of the drone activity remains uncertain.


Dec 16, 2024 at 10:48 AM EST

East Coast residents demand answers as drone sightings continue over New Jersey and New York

Matthew Murello, mayor of Washington Township, New Jersey, expressed frustration over the lack of answers from federal authorities. In an interview on Good Morning America, he said, "I'm not trying to stir anything up, but we all know -- if you just turn on the television -- that drones can be used in an aggressive fashion," referencing their potential use for harmful purposes.

While White House national security communications adviser John Kirby assured on Thursday that most reported drone sightings appear to be manned aircraft, and there was no evidence of a national security threat, Murello remained unconvinced.

He told ABC News, "That's a wonderful thing to tell your residents... until it's not." Murello added that the mystery surrounding the drones was unsettling, questioning their purpose and expressing disbelief at the federal government's reassurances.


Dec 16, 2024 at 10:37 AM EST

Origin of the drones

The Pentagon has ruled out foreign adversaries as the source of recent drone activity in U.S. airspace. Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said on Wednesday, "Our initial assessment is that this is not the work of a foreign adversary or a foreign entity."

Singh added that the drones were not operated by the U.S. military and dismissed claims made by Rep. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey suggesting that an Iranian "mothership" was launching the drones off the East Coast. With the threat assessment completed, the responsibility for investigating the origin and type of drones has been passed to local law enforcement and the FBI.

Drone operator, New York

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Dec 16, 2024 at 10:27 AM EST

Christie criticizes federal drone response, warns of vigilantes

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie criticized the federal response to recent drone sightings over New Jersey, urging that states be granted more authority to address the issue. The increased presence of drones in the Garden State and neighboring areas has raised concerns among residents and lawmakers, prompting investigations by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

While the FBI and DHS said that there is no evidence the drones pose a national security or public safety threat, local officials remain worried about the growing mystery surrounding the sightings. In an appearance on ABC News' This Week, Christie warned of the consequences if states are not given more control, saying, "What we're going to find, George, is you're going to have individuals acting as drone vigilantes. And they're going to start taking them down."

He added, "I'd want our state police to be able to have the authority to bring those drones down and find out why they're doing what they're doing."

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Dec 16, 2024 at 10:11 AM EST

Two Boston individuals arrested for flying drone ‘dangerously close’ to airport

Two Boston men were arrested for flying a drone "dangerously close" too Logan International Airport in Massachusetts amid several mysterious drone sightings across the Eastern U.S.

Robert Duffy, 42, of Charlestown, and Jeremy Folcik, 32, of Bridgewater were arrested on Sunday and charged with trespassing, according to authorities, "following a hazardous drone operation near Logan Airport's airspace."

According to police, when officers arrived at the scene, two suspects, Duffy and Folcik, were arrested after three individuals fled on foot. A drone was discovered in Duffy's backpack.

Authorities are still searching for the third suspect, and it is unknown whether the suspects have secured legal representation.


Dec 16, 2024 at 10:00 AM EST

Fox News host suggests mystery drones are potential ‘Pearl Harbor moment’

Representative Jim Himes, a Connecticut Democrat, on Sunday quickly dismissed Fox News host Jacqui Heinrich's suggestion that the recently reported drone sightings over the Northeast are a potential "Pearl Harbor moment."

Drones have been spotted in recent weeks across New Jersey, New York and other nearby states, prompting concern among residents and lawmakers and launching investigations by the FBI and other law enforcement agencies.

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) assured Americans in a joint statement on Thursday that there was "no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus." However, with few answers given by federal officials about the matter and state and local officials having little authority to help the situation, people are getting increasingly worried about the drones.

Himes, the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, urged viewers during an interview on Fox News Sunday to not give into conspiracy theories about the drones, saying, "We should be sober" about the situation.

Newsweek reached out to Himes' office via email for comment late Sunday afternoon.

Read the full story by Rachel Dobkin on Newsweek.


Dec 16, 2024 at 09:46 AM EST

See where drone sightings have been reported so far

Mysterious drone sightings in New Jersey have continued every night since November 18, with reports from residents of drones hovering overhead or flying in clusters, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

These sightings prompted military officials and state lawmakers to call for action. In response, the FAA implemented temporary flight restrictions over these sensitive areas to mitigate potential risks. The continued mystery surrounding the drones has raised alarms about the safety and security of the affected locations.

Here is where sightings have been reported so far:


Dec 16, 2024 at 09:35 AM EST

Trump’s national security adviser speaks out on mystery drone threat

The mysterious drones that have recently been sighted flying over different parts of the country have federal agencies "pointing at each other" for answers, according to President-elect Donald Trump's national security adviser pick.

Representative Mike Waltz, a Florida Republican who Trump selected to be in his Cabinet in November, told CBS News on Sunday that the government's official communications on the drones, which have been spotted in recent weeks across New Jersey, New York and other nearby states, was not good enough and that the public was finding their answers "hard to believe."

Newsweek has contacted Waltz via phone, and the FBI and Trump's transition team via email for comment.

Read the full story by Flynn Nicholls on Newsweek.


Dec 16, 2024 at 09:21 AM EST

Mystery drone chased away from Donald Trump golf course, ex-governor says

Helicopter NJ former governor

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A helicopter chased away a drone near Donald Trump's New Jersey golf course on Sunday morning, the state's former governor said.

Speaking to MSNBC on Sunday, Christine Todd Whitman, a Republican who served as governor in the 1990s, said the government's "we don't know" was not a satisfying answer.

"Well, everybody's talking about them right now," Whitman said. "I live in Hunterdon County, where this morning there was a helicopter that chased a drone away from Trump's national golf course [Bedminster] which is next door to the farm. They're there, but I think also you see a lot of sightings that are small planes that sometimes will look as if it's hovering over you, the plane, because it's coming at you. That makes it look as if it's stationary.

"I don't think we have to worry, but what's frustrating is to have the government say well, there's no problem. We don't know what it is, but it's no problem. That's not a satisfying answer. We need better from the government."

Read the full story by Flynn Nicholls on Newsweek.


Dec 16, 2024 at 09:09 AM EST

The 1600 Newsletter: What’s with the drones?

In today's newsletter, author of The 1600 Carlo Versano spoke about the drone sightings on the eastern side of the U.S.:

So what's up with the drones? We are going on a month now of these sightings of unexplained aerial phenomena (UAP) that started in and around New Jersey but have expanded to other parts of the country, as well as Europe.

Let's try and make sense of what this all could be. These seem to be the going theories, in order of what I think is most to least likely.

  1. We're witnessing an old-fashioned social contagion that is being accelerated by social media. Put another way, most of what people are seeing and recording in the skies are some version of stuff that's supposed to be up there: planes and other manned aircraft, stars, satellites, as well as drones that others have sent up looking for the original drones.

  2. They're American military. This would explain why the federal government has been so cagey about the whole thing. But if they were part of some kind of testing, you'd think the test would have been halted after all the attention. The other (scarier) option is that these are military but they aren't doing tests–they are actively looking for something. Perhaps something that could only be seen at night, given the lack of daytime sightings.

  3. The drones are one of our adversaries, probably China or (even less likely) Iran, either gathering signals intelligence or just seeing what they can get away with. This strikes me as even more of a long shot. Iran can't even land a missile strike in Israel let alone send drones thousands of miles away without being noticed. And what would China get out of rocking the boat right now?

  4. Extraterrestrial. This seems highly unlikely, though it would kind of be the perfect end to this crazy year.

What do you guys think? Email me with your theories.

In the meantime–to bring this back to politics–Joe Biden is still the president, right? Assuming anyone is running things at the White House these days, it would be nice to get a little info. The handful of comments the administration has made about the drones can be summarized as "we don't know what they are but also there is nothing to worry about."

One more f-u from a presidency that will be remembered for how it insulted the intelligence of the American people.

Subscribe to The 1600 or other Newsweek newsletters.


Dec 16, 2024 at 09:01 AM EST

U.S. officials sending drone detection system to New York amid growing sightings

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Sunday that the federal government will be sending a drone detection system to the state in response to increasing concerns over mysterious drone activity. The request came after sightings forced the closure of runways at Stewart International Airport for an hour last week.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Hochul thanked federal partners for their assistance and stressed the need for additional resources to combat the growing number of drone sightings. These drones have been reported not only in New York but also in nearby states such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.

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Dec 16, 2024 at 08:50 AM EST

Drone pilot raises alarm over mystery drones flying in restricted zones in New Jersey

Michael B, CEO of Terror Talk Productions, recently shared his unsettling experience with mystery drones flying in restricted zones in New Jersey. While flying his own drones in these areas, Michael B's equipment malfunctioned, with his drones losing power and their batteries dying. He speculated this occurred because he was flying in a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) restricted zone, where his drones' technology is designed to automatically shut down.

However, the mystery drones in the area appeared unaffected by these restrictions. In a recent interview with MSNBC's Alex Witt, Michael B expressed concerns that the drones were not simply misidentified aircraft, as suggested by some authorities, but something more unknown. He showed footage captured by his spotter drones of a mysterious red dot in the sky near his residence in Hillsborough, New Jersey.


Dec 16, 2024 at 08:33 AM EST

Joe Rogan ‘genuinely concerned’ about New Jersey, New York drone sightings

Joe Rogan is one of many people worried about the mysterious drones appearing over New York and New Jersey.

The podcast host took to X to share his thoughts on the drones, which have been spotted in recent weeks and triggered an FBI investigation. On Sunday, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said there was no need for concern, there was no evidence the drones were a threat to public safety and that there was "no foreign involvement with respect to the sightings."

But Rogan was not buying the explanation, describing it as "sus."

"I want to believe it's adderalled up incels holed up in a basement f****** with 'the man' more than I want it to be aliens. #iwanttobelieve," he added.

Read the full story by Shannon Power on Newsweek.


Dec 16, 2024 at 08:22 AM EST

Can you shoot down unidentified drones?

As fleets of unidentified drones – some reportedly larger than typical hobbyist models – continue to appear across various regions, concerns are rising among residents who wonder if it's legal to shoot them down.

With the rapid rise in both commercial and recreational drone use, the question has gained traction. As of October 1, 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that nearly 792,000 drones were registered in the United States, although the number could be higher with unregistered drones in the air.

Despite growing frustration, the simple answer to whether you can shoot down a hovering drone is no. The FAA strictly prohibits shooting any aircraft, including drones. This regulation aims to ensure public safety and prevent damage to air traffic systems, including manned aircraft.


Dec 16, 2024 at 08:10 AM EST

Murphy meets with NJ officials, pushes federal government for answers on drone sightings

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy met with state police officials and radar technicians at the Regional Operations & Intelligence Center yesterday evening to discuss efforts to investigate the recent surge in drone sightings. The team is surveying the area for unmanned aircraft systems as part of an ongoing investigation into the mysterious drone activity in the region, he said.

In his tweet, Murphy said the public "deserves clear answers" regarding the source and purpose of the drones.

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Dec 16, 2024 at 07:55 AM EST

Mystery drones shut down Ohio air force base: ‘Extreme caution’

Ohio Air Base closes amid drone sightings

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Unknown drone activity forced one of the U.S.'s most critical military installations to shut down for several hours late Friday evening and Saturday morning, officials confirmed.

The incident prompted heightened security measures and temporarily halted operations at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.

Home to the 88th Air Base Wing, Wright-Patterson is one of the largest and most strategically important bases in the U.S., tasked with advanced research, intelligence, and operations.

Unauthorized drone activity in military airspace poses significant risks, from espionage to safety hazards.

In audio recordings by the Air Force Base air traffic control, which were shared online, an operator can be heard saying they are diverting 'over base' air traffic due to 'heavy unknown UAS activity', adding to 'use extreme caution' as Wright-Patterson is 'now closed.'

The Air Force's National Air Intelligence Center (NAIC) and the Space Force's National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) are both garrisoned at the Ohio base, serving as the Intelligence Community's leading organizations for strategic air and space threat analysis.

Newsweek contacted Wright-Patterson Air Base, NAIC, the Ohio governor's office, and the FBI via email outside of working hours on Monday for comment.

Read the full story by Emma Marsden and John Feng on Newsweek.


Dec 16, 2024 at 07:43 AM EST

Schumer working to pass ‘drone detection bill’

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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has revealed that he plans on passing a bill to provide law enforcement officials and agencies "tools for drone detection" in the middle of the mysterious sightings in the east of the U.S.

He is asking for Robin Radar Systems as they have "360-degree technology" and said, "If the technology exists for a drone to make it up into the sky, there certainly is technology that can track the craft with precision and determine what the heck is going on, and that's what the Robin does."


Dec 16, 2024 at 07:38 AM EST

Don’t shoot at drones, says former FBI agent: ”Bad idea’

FBI Drones

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A former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent has said that the idea of shooting at the mysterious drones sighted over New Jersey is "so bad."

Rob D'Amico, the former chief of the FBI's counter-drone unit, told MSNBC's Alex Witt on Sunday that President-elect Donald Trump's suggestion that the drones be shot down was "irresponsible," and that doing so would be "the same legally as shooting at a manned aircraft."

Newsweek has contacted the FBI and Trump's transition team via email for comment.

Read the full story by Flynn Nichols on Newsweek.

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