Unidentified flying objects have been reported in the skies, leading to a mix of concern and confusion, along with calls for military action. This scenario is not a scene from “War of the Worlds,” but rather a series of potential drone sightings along the East Coast in recent weeks. These drones have been observed over residential areas, restricted locations, and vital infrastructure.

The frequency of these sightings has increased pressure on federal agencies to clarify the situation, as officials have called for calm and stressed that there is no evidence indicating a security threat.

“I want to assure the American public that we are on it,” stated Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas during an appearance on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday.

The reported drone activity led to the temporary closure of runways at New York’s Stewart International Airport for approximately one hour on Friday night.

“This has gone too far,” remarked New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Saturday, noting that she had instructed the New York State Intelligence Center to investigate the drone sightings and collaborate with federal law enforcement to tackle the issue.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has requested that the Department of Homeland Security implement specialized detection systems utilizing 360-degree technology to monitor drones.

“If the technology exists for a drone to ascend into the sky, there is certainly technology available to track these crafts accurately and understand what is happening,” Schumer commented on Sunday while addressing the technological capabilities.

The FBI and DHS issued a joint statement on Thursday indicating that there is currently “no evidence that the reported drone sightings present a national security or public safety threat or have any foreign connections.”

In spite of these assurances from federal authorities, local leaders are demanding additional information and resources to further investigate the sightings. In Morris County, New Jersey, officials have urged the “federal government to deploy all available federal resources, including military support, to put an end to the unauthorized drone flights over our county and other areas of New Jersey.”

Drones, which refer to unmanned aerial vehicles, are widely utilized throughout the United States. The FAA has registered a total of 791,597 drones, with a nearly equal split between commercial and recreational use. These devices serve various purposes across multiple industries, including photography, agriculture, and law enforcement.

There is still considerable uncertainty regarding the precise nature of the sightings, with some being attributed to “mistaken identity,” as noted by Mayorkas and White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby.

Here is additional information regarding the reported drone sightings, including what is known and what remains uncertain.

In which locations have the drones been observed?

Drone sightings have been documented in at least six states: New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Virginia.

The first sightings were reported on November 18 near Morris County, New Jersey, as stated by the Federal Aviation Administration. Republican New Jersey Assemblyman Paul Kanitra informed CNN’s Sara Sidner on Friday morning that drone sightings have occurred nightly since that date. Disturbed residents have often reported drones hovering above, occasionally in groups.

Concerns heightened when drones were detected near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster, as noted by military officials and state legislators. These sightings led the FAA to implement temporary flight restrictions over these areas.

Additionally, “several instances of unidentified drones entering the airspace” were reported above Naval Weapons Station Earle, a U.S. Navy base located south of Middletown, although no direct threats were identified.

Democratic Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey shared videos on his X account that appeared to show a cluster of drones over the Round Valley Reservoir on Thursday night. However, on Saturday, he updated his post, indicating that most of the aircraft he initially believed to be drones were “almost certainly planes.”

Federal agency representatives involved in the drone investigations have held private briefings with local officials, indicating that the drones sometimes fly in a synchronized manner and can remain airborne for as long as six hours, as reported by Montvale, New Jersey, Mayor Mike Ghassali.

On Friday afternoon, the New York State Police announced via a post on X that they had received multiple reports of drone sightings within the last 24 hours and are currently looking into these claims. They emphasized that there is no evidence at this moment to suggest that any of the reported sightings pose a threat to public safety.

Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella noted that the drones, frequently observed at night, have been seen hovering over vital infrastructure, including Port Liberty New York near the Goethals Bridge, the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, and Fort Wadsworth, one of the nation’s oldest military installations.

On Sunday, Governor Hochul revealed that federal authorities are implementing a new advanced drone detection system in the state. She reiterated her call for the passage of the federal Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act, which she believes would provide New York and other states with the necessary authority and resources to address situations like the current one.

Hochul also had two discussions with Secretary Mayorkas on Saturday concerning the ongoing drone activity in her state, according to a source familiar with the discussions.

Connecticut State Police announced on Friday the implementation of a drone detection system to aid in the investigation of unauthorized drone sightings reported in Fairfield County.

“It raises significant concerns regarding public safety and security, both in Fairfield and beyond,” stated Republican state Senator Tony Hwang on Friday.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro acknowledged the reported drone sightings and emphasized their seriousness. He instructed the Pennsylvania State Police to conduct a thorough investigation and mentioned that helicopters would be deployed to ascertain the origins and purposes of these drones.

In Massachusetts, Governor Maura Healey addressed the increasing number of drone sightings in her state via a post on X on Saturday. She noted that state police are collaborating with local and federal agencies and urged drone operators to comply with regulations.

On Saturday night, two individuals were arrested on trespassing charges after a drone approached Logan International Airport in Boston in a “dangerously close” manner, according to police reports.

In Virginia, Governor Glenn Youngkin stated in a Saturday announcement that state police and the Department of Emergency Management are working closely with various federal partners to address the drone sightings. He highlighted the “significant number of national security and critical infrastructure sites” located in Virginia.

Mayorkas stated during an interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos on Sunday that there is no doubt that individuals are observing drones. He reassured the American public that the federal government has allocated additional resources, personnel, and technology to support the New Jersey State Police in responding to these drone sightings.

Regarding the nature of the aircraft, both the FBI and DHS have indicated that they believe many of the reported drone sightings are instances of “mistaken identity,” where members of the public are confusing small, legally operated manned aircraft with drones.

Mayorkas also mentioned to CNN’s Wolf Blitzer on Friday that some of the sightings could potentially involve commercial drones. He emphasized, “We are not aware of any threats or malicious activities. Should we discover any issues of concern, we will communicate them transparently.”

Former FBI supervisory special agent Tom Adams noted on CNN that some recent sightings might be attributed to copycat behavior, as increased media coverage of the phenomenon could inspire others to fly their drones. He pointed out that there are often benign explanations for these sightings.

Drawing from his experience with the FBI, Adams explained that it is not uncommon for planets, crewed aircraft, and even low Earth orbit satellites to be misidentified as drones during nighttime operations.

During a news briefing on Saturday, an FBI representative reiterated that the majority of sightings are likely misidentified manned aircraft. The representative highlighted that the flight patterns from nearby airports corresponded with the visual reports received through tip lines.

The FBI official noted that the tip line has received approximately 5,000 reports, but fewer than 100 have resulted in leads considered worthy of further investigation. No evidence has been found to support claims of “large-scale UAS activity,” as indicated by the acronym for “unmanned aircraft system.”

A slight overreaction has been noted regarding the reports, according to an FBI official. However, the official emphasized that the sightings cannot be overlooked, expressing concern that aligns with public sentiment.

In contrast, a Department of Defense official expressed uncertainty about the nature of these sightings.

“We cannot ascertain whether the activity is malicious or criminal. However, I can state that it is indeed irresponsible,” the official remarked. “From a military perspective, we share the frustration regarding the reckless nature of this situation.”

The official mentioned that highly trained security personnel have observed drone activity at Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle in New Jersey, but the origins and operators of these drones remain unidentified.

On Wednesday, the Pentagon dismissed speculation that the drones could be linked to a foreign adversary. This came shortly after U.S. Representative Jeff Van Drew, a Republican from New Jersey, suggested on Fox News that the drones were being launched from an Iranian “mothership” off the East Coast.

“There is no truth to that,” stated Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh on Wednesday. “There is no Iranian vessel off the coast of the United States, nor is there any so-called mothership deploying drones toward the U.S.”

The FBI is spearheading the investigation into these sightings in collaboration with the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, while the U.S. Coast Guard is evaluating jurisdictional responses.

On Sunday, Senator Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota emphasized the need for greater transparency from the US government regarding the reported drone sightings. During her appearance on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” the Minnesota Democrat stated, “First, we require a briefing for Senate members to understand the situation better. Second, increased transparency is essential.”

Despite assurances from federal officials that the drones do not pose a threat to public safety, Mayor Michael Melham of Belleville, New Jersey, indicated that police have been advised to contact the county bomb squad and that local fire departments should don hazmat suits if they come across a downed drone.

“We are uncertain about the nature of these objects, so we are proceeding with caution,” Melham remarked.

In contrast to federal officials’ calls for calm, former President Trump has urged the Biden administration to either disclose any information regarding the sightings or take action to shoot the drones down.

“Mystery drone sightings are occurring nationwide. Is it possible that our government is unaware? I doubt it! The public deserves to know, and immediately. If not, take them down!” Trump stated on Truth Social.

Senator Richard Blumenthal, a member of the Senate’s Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, echoed this sentiment on Thursday, asserting that the drones “should be shot down if necessary, as they are flying over sensitive areas.”

Shooting down unidentified aircraft presents significant challenges. In an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, Mayorkas stated, “It’s not as though anyone can just take down a drone in the sky. That in and of itself would be dangerous.”

A source involved in the national investigation into these aircraft informed CNN that shooting them down would be “beyond risky,” as it could pose unnecessary dangers to individuals on the ground and lead to legal complications.

The source emphasized that the government has various measures available to address a drone that poses an imminent threat; however, the recent unidentified flights have not been classified as a danger.

“Taking it down is the last resort,” the source remarked.

Who oversees drone regulations?

One of the difficulties in monitoring drone operations is that airspace regulation is predominantly under federal authority, as noted by the CEO of a company that tracks unauthorized drone activity.

“The existing laws governing aircraft do not equip local law enforcement to manage drone incidents,” Axon CEO Rick Smith explained to CNN News Central on Friday. “So, if a drone approaches a local state fair that police suspect could be hazardous, there is currently no action they can take.”

FAA regulations permit recreational drone operators to fly at altitudes of up to 400 feet in uncontrolled airspace. Waivers may be issued by the FAA on an individual basis for those seeking to operate drones in more crowded airspace or at greater heights.

Missy Cummings, one of the Navy’s pioneering female fighter pilots, believes that authorities would respond differently if there were genuine threats posed by drone sightings.

“If this were a real threat, we would likely observe a different level of response,” Cummings, who is a professor at George Mason University, stated during an interview with CNN’s Fredricka Whitfield on Sunday.

“While it may be uncomfortable for some to acknowledge, a considerable number of sightings are likely attributed to manned aircraft, although I do believe that legitimate drone sightings are occurring,” Cummings added.