Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

OKIsItJustMe

(21,016 posts)
Thu Dec 12, 2024, 11:56 AM Dec 12

Homeland Security shares new details of mysterious drone flights over New Jersey

Source: AP

By BRUCE SHIPKOWSKI
Updated 12:51 AM EST, December 12, 2024

The large mysterious drones reported flying over parts of New Jersey in recent weeks appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio, according to a state lawmaker briefed Wednesday by the Department of Homeland Security.

In a post on the social media platform X, Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia described the drones as up to 6 feet in diameter and sometimes traveling with their lights switched off. The Morris County Republican was among several state and local lawmakers who met with state police and Homeland Security officials to discuss the spate of sightings that range from the New York City area through New Jersey and westward into parts of Pennsylvania, including over Philadelphia.

The devices do not appear to be being flown by hobbyists, Fantasia wrote.

Dozens of mysterious nighttime flights started last month and have raised growing concern among residents and officials. Part of the worry stems from the flying objects initially being spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility; and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use, but they are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be FAA certified.



Read more: https://apnews.com/article/fbi-drones-new-jersey-a978470fa3bb07ed3e98c5b7c18f0abb



See previous story here: https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143354574
29 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Homeland Security shares new details of mysterious drone flights over New Jersey (Original Post) OKIsItJustMe Dec 12 OP
Launched from a sub orangecrush Dec 12 #1
"The truth is out there..." nt EarthFirst Dec 12 #2
The flight patterns described seem to resemble scanning/mapping of a large area OKIsItJustMe Dec 12 #5
Wow, the agencies responsible for our security... Think. Again. Dec 12 #3
A teenager with a phone/cpomputer can send 100s of bomb threats wolfie001 Dec 12 #6
And I'm pretty sure... Think. Again. Dec 12 #7
Unless the drones are flying a pre-programmed flight path, yagotme Dec 12 #9
Right, this is not a teenager with a hobbyist drone OKIsItJustMe Dec 12 #8
Two theories: They either know nothing, or they know everything and are saying nothing. usonian Dec 12 #4
If they know nothing, that means they belong to the enemy, yagotme Dec 12 #10
I am hoping for Space Aliens, namely Kanamits hungry for a big snack. usonian Dec 12 #11
A BIIIG snack. yagotme Dec 12 #13
And while they're taking things ... usonian Dec 12 #18
Can we make this happen...please! PortTack Dec 12 #21
My initial thought was that it was some sort of military operation, especially given where they were first sighted OKIsItJustMe Dec 12 #14
I believe Karine Jean-Pierre admitted that they are of domestic origin, not foreign... AntiFascist Dec 12 #26
I am still betting (no cash) that they are using ground penetrating radar to find the secret trove buried in or around usonian Dec 12 #27
Or, Elon Musk is using his wealth to intimidate us... AntiFascist Dec 12 #29
This seems really difficult for them for some reason. They need to get up to speed on this stuff yesterday Blues Heron Dec 12 #12
The sitings have been in heavily populated areas OKIsItJustMe Dec 12 #15
There must be a away to bring one down, I can't believe our hands are completely tied here. Blues Heron Dec 12 #16
AP: US senator says mysterious drones spotted in New Jersey should be 'shot down, if necessary' OKIsItJustMe Dec 12 #17
Of course they know, but they aren't saying. Aussie105 Dec 12 #19
I agree, If the U.S. just sits by and watches unknown air traffic fly around for days like this.... Think. Again. Dec 12 #20
You're right of course we would never allow that to happen OKIsItJustMe Dec 12 #25
🏆 Think. Again. Dec 12 #28
If these mystery drones over NJ were dangerous, they would have been rendered ineffective. C0RI0LANUS Dec 12 #22
aliens, of course DBoon Dec 12 #23
There is no claim being made of exotic technology OKIsItJustMe Dec 12 #24

OKIsItJustMe

(21,016 posts)
5. The flight patterns described seem to resemble scanning/mapping of a large area
Thu Dec 12, 2024, 12:56 PM
Dec 12


Someone apparently wants to gather data which is not readily available from Google Earth (for example) and is willing to gather it at night, using a large number of (seemingly) unnecessarily large/heavy drones. Both the FBI and “Homeland Security” are claiming ignorance.

Something is going on. This is a large, coordinated use of expensive drones with (apparently) rudimentary “stealth” technology.

For a couple of years now, I’ve been telling people, “If you want to see the future of warfare, look at the (latest) invasion of Ukraine.” When the Russians first invaded, all of the “experts” expected Kiev to fall in about 3 days. The chief reason it did not was Ukraine’s use of drones.

Their latest development has been to turn their naval drones (which they have used to sink battleships!) into miniature aircraft carriers.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/aviation/ukraine-s-changing-up-its-black-sea-attacks-on-russia-with-drone-boats-armed-with-machine-guns-and-flying-exploding-drones/ar-AA1vyCC7

wolfie001

(3,844 posts)
6. A teenager with a phone/cpomputer can send 100s of bomb threats
Thu Dec 12, 2024, 01:02 PM
Dec 12

So stupid. Usually, it's an acquaintance that turns those idiots in the and then the FBI pats itself on the back. Exactly what happened in the Unabomber case. FBI handing out stupid, undeserved accolades to their agents when the bomber's brother was the one that turned him in.

Think. Again.

(19,046 posts)
7. And I'm pretty sure...
Thu Dec 12, 2024, 01:11 PM
Dec 12

...anyone can buy a radio disrupter "drone-jammer" online to take down drones.

So, I suspect they know exactly what they are and are deliberately leaving them alone.

yagotme

(3,951 posts)
9. Unless the drones are flying a pre-programmed flight path,
Thu Dec 12, 2024, 02:26 PM
Dec 12

and are not receiving constant radio instruction. Burst transmission to change flight plan. Advancing technology.

usonian

(14,600 posts)
4. Two theories: They either know nothing, or they know everything and are saying nothing.
Thu Dec 12, 2024, 12:49 PM
Dec 12

Such a small distinction.

Personally, if I had a drone airforce, I'd be running ground penetrating radar over Bedminster and similar places to find the "treasure"

P.S. It's extremely hard to believe that the AirForce and agencies know nothing. And that they'd let silence indicate that.

Also, if I were president, I'd be raiding Area 51 for all it's worth, and it's worth the survival of America as a democracy.

Grovers Mill? Naah, that's fiction.

OR IS IT?

yagotme

(3,951 posts)
10. If they know nothing, that means they belong to the enemy,
Thu Dec 12, 2024, 02:30 PM
Dec 12

and we're REALLY behind the curve. If they know everything, and are doing nothing, then they are either ours, or, belonging to the enemy, and we're just not doing anything about it. Only 1of the 3 above is remotely comforting.

OKIsItJustMe

(21,016 posts)
14. My initial thought was that it was some sort of military operation, especially given where they were first sighted
Thu Dec 12, 2024, 02:57 PM
Dec 12

However, now, they appear to be spreading. It would be easy to attribute it to a mass hysteria phenomenon… if it weren’t for the large number of witness videos, and law enforcement witnesses.

Then, there’s this:

https://apnews.com/article/britain-us-air-bases-drones-cfb5643bfed2a45be61d107aa063477b

US Air Force in UK says drones have been spotted flying over bases in England

BY DANICA KIRKA
Updated 1:13 PM EST, November 26, 2024

LONDON (AP) — The U.S. Air Force said Tuesday that a number of small drones have been detected near four bases in England that are used by American forces.

The flights, which began Nov. 20, were spotted over or near RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall and RAF Feltwell in eastern England as well as RAF Fairford in southwestern England. The drones were actively monitored.

The Air Force hasn’t identified who is believed to be behind the incursions. Unspecified mitigation measures are underway.

“The number of systems has fluctuated, and they have ranged in sizes and configurations,” U.S. Air Forces Europe said in a statement. ”Our units continue to monitor the airspace and are working with host-nation authorities and mission partners to ensure the safety of base personnel, facilities and assets.″

AntiFascist

(12,976 posts)
26. I believe Karine Jean-Pierre admitted that they are of domestic origin, not foreign...
Thu Dec 12, 2024, 04:29 PM
Dec 12

so they obviously know more than they are telling us.

usonian

(14,600 posts)
27. I am still betting (no cash) that they are using ground penetrating radar to find the secret trove buried in or around
Thu Dec 12, 2024, 04:32 PM
Dec 12

Bedminster.

As yourself "What would usonian do?"

Not sure about those other places, but I don't have clearances, nor need to know.

AntiFascist

(12,976 posts)
29. Or, Elon Musk is using his wealth to intimidate us...
Thu Dec 12, 2024, 07:20 PM
Dec 12

while seeking out all of the security vulnerabilities around Bedminster and the surrounding military facilities in preparation for Trump 2.0.

Blues Heron

(6,228 posts)
12. This seems really difficult for them for some reason. They need to get up to speed on this stuff yesterday
Thu Dec 12, 2024, 02:42 PM
Dec 12

Can’t they blast one out of the sky and analyse it? Da fuq - how is this even a question? Are we that vulnerable?

OKIsItJustMe

(21,016 posts)
15. The sitings have been in heavily populated areas
Thu Dec 12, 2024, 03:00 PM
Dec 12

Let’s not rain down shrapnel if we can avoid it.

Remember the “Chinese spy balloon” and the calls to shoot it down? which we did, after it was no longer over land.

OKIsItJustMe

(21,016 posts)
17. AP: US senator says mysterious drones spotted in New Jersey should be 'shot down, if necessary'
Thu Dec 12, 2024, 03:07 PM
Dec 12
https://apnews.com/article/fbi-drones-new-jersey-8bfe84cf2678400181292b75f9193395
US senator says mysterious drones spotted in New Jersey should be ‘shot down, if necessary’

BY BRUCE SHIPKOWSKI
Updated 2:55 PM EST, December 12, 2024

TOMS River, N.J. (AP) — A U.S. senator has called for mysterious drones spotted flying over sensitive areas in New Jersey and other parts of the Mid-Atlantic region to be “shot down, if necessary,” even as it remains unclear who owns them.

“We should be doing some very urgent intelligence analysis and take them out of the skies, especially if they’re flying over airports or military bases,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said Thursday as concerns about the drones spread across Capitol Hill.

People in the New York region are also concerned that the drones may be sharing airspace with commercial airlines, he said, demanding more transparency from the Biden administration.

The White House said Thursday that a review of the reported sightings shows that many of them are actually manned aircraft being flown lawfully. White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said there were no reported sightings in any restricted airspace. He said the U.S. Coast Guard has not uncovered any foreign involvement from coastal vessels.

Aussie105

(6,467 posts)
19. Of course they know, but they aren't saying.
Thu Dec 12, 2024, 03:19 PM
Dec 12

How hard is it to follow these things home when they need to land because they are low on fuel?

No foreign spy device would be so polite as to fly with warning light blazing away.

Think. Again.

(19,046 posts)
20. I agree, If the U.S. just sits by and watches unknown air traffic fly around for days like this....
Thu Dec 12, 2024, 03:29 PM
Dec 12

...the my perception of reality is seriously comprised and I live in a dream world.

C0RI0LANUS

(1,862 posts)
22. If these mystery drones over NJ were dangerous, they would have been rendered ineffective.
Thu Dec 12, 2024, 03:51 PM
Dec 12


The USIC and DOD have a wide array of sensors to interrogate these UAPs.

The FAA mandates a green beacon on the starboard side of an aircraft and a red beacon on the portside of an aircraft. I imagine the same holds true to fly a drone over US airspace. Can we see beacons on the drones in the video?

If the FBI is investigating the issue, this means they suspect human involvement in the area (and the potential that federal laws may have been violated).

From what I gather, these drones have not flown over restricted airspace but are flirting with the borders of the security perimeter.

If not, well...



Sources:

https://www.dni.gov/files/ODNI/documents/21-113_MASINT_Primer__2022.pdf

https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim_html/chap2_section_2.html

OKIsItJustMe

(21,016 posts)
24. There is no claim being made of exotic technology
Thu Dec 12, 2024, 04:21 PM
Dec 12

Americans have the unfortunate habit of mocking anything they don’t understand, or don’t want to understand.

Consider, for example, climate change.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Homeland Security shares ...