Drone sightings a combination of 'lawful' drones, other aircrafts and stars, officials say

Recent drone sightings include a combination of "lawful" drones, other aircrafts and stars, federal government officials said in a statement on Monday.

In looking into "the technical data and tips from concerned citizens, 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 stars mistakenly reported as drones," read a joint statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the FBI, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Department of Defense (DOD).

The FBI received more than 5,000 reported drone sightings in recent weeks, with approximately 100 leads generated, and the federal government was supporting local officials in investigating the reports, the statement also said.

"Consistent with each of our unique missions and authorities, we are quickly working to prioritize and follow these leads. We have sent advanced detection technology to the region. And we have sent trained visual observers," the statement continues.

Drone sightings have rattled multiple Northeastern states, most notably New Jersey, over the last month. The White House said Monday that drones are not a national security or public risk, with White House national security communications adviser John Kirby's words to reporters Monday about what the White House says the drone sightings are being similar to the Monday statement from the agencies and departments.

"We recognize the concern among many communities," the agencies and departments said in their joint statement.

"We continue to support state and local authorities with advanced detection technology and support of law enforcement. We urge Congress to enact counter-[unmanned aircraft systems] legislation when it reconvenes that would extend and expand existing counter-drone authorities to identify and mitigate any threat that may emerge."

On Monday, President-elect Trump said the Biden administration is aware of what is happening when it comes to the drone sightings, with the president-elect implying that the drones are not from a hostile adversary.

"The government knows what is happening. Look, our military knows where they took off from, if it's a garage they can go right into that garage. They know where it came from and where it went," Trump said at Mar-a-Lago.

"And for some reason, they don't want to comment. I think they'd be better off saying what it is," he continued. "Our military knows, and our president knows, and for some reason, they want to keep people in suspense."

Topics

Still no answers on drone sightings in New Jersey and other states

President-elect Donald Trump accused the Biden administration of keeping people in the dark about a recent slew of drone sightings over New Jersey, New York and other states. Officials have said ...
CBS News - 6h
Many New Jersey drones sightings are 'manned aircraft being misidentified as drones,' FBI says

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security said on Saturday that ongoing investigations around reported drone sightings over New Jersey have found many reports are, in fact, manned aircraft.
CNBC - 18h
2 arrested in Boston as officials investigate drone sightings across the Northeast

Two men were arrested in Boston over the weekend for flying a drone “dangerously close” to Logan International Airport as investigations into objects in the sky continue across the East Coast.
NBC News - 16h
Mike Waltz says federal agencies "pointing at each other" on drone sightings

Rep. Mike Waltz, likely Trump's incoming national security adviser, said Sunday that "we need to know who's behind" the mysterious drones spotted over New Jersey and surrounding areas.
CBS News - 1d
Mayorkas says DHS 'vigilant in investigating' drone sightings

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas sought to assure the American people that the federal government has a handle on the reports of drone sightings on the East Coast. ...
The Hill - 1d
No Evidence Drones in Northeast Are a Threat, Officials Say

Numerous sightings of flying objects in recent weeks have raised alarm, but federal law enforcement officials say that at least some were manned aircraft, such as airplanes or helicopters.
The New York Times - 2d
Wave of new mystery drone sightings in several states as officials call for answers

A wave of new drone sightings was reported in a number of states, including almost 80 in New Jersey alone, as local, state and federal lawmakers demanded answers on where the flying objects might ...
NBC News - 3d
Drone expert on mysterious sightings as officials call for answers

New York City lawmakers are calling on the NYPD and the federal government to solve the growing drone mystery spreading across the northeast after several recent sightings across multiple states. ...
CBS News - 3d
NSC spokesperson John Kirby on drone sightings, says many are manned aircraft

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby spoke Thursday at the White House press briefing about the mysterious drones that have been spotted over New Jersey recently, saying the Department ...
CBS News - 4d