In recent weeks, an unusual situation has captured the attention of citizens and authorities in the northeastern United States: drones larger than usual described by some as “as big as a car” have been spotted in various locations across New Jersey, New York, and Philadelphia. The first sighting occurred in mid-November, and since then, the phenomenon has rapidly spread, including in densely populated neighborhoods such as Brooklyn and Staten Island.
According to residents, the drones hover predominantly at night, flying in formation over critical infrastructure such as water tanks, power lines, railway stations, and military installations.
Authorities, coordinated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI, have confirmed that investigations are ongoing, though no concrete results have been achieved. Currently, it seems impossible to determine who is controlling the aircraft and what their purpose might be, though there is “no evidence of an immediate threat to public safety.”
A dedicated hotline has already collected over 3,000 reports. Just last Sunday evening, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy reported that there had been 49 sightings. In response, the Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, the largest transportation agency in the U.S., temporarily banned drone flights over sensitive areas, such as the Picatinny Arsenal military base and the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster.
Nevertheless, the drones continue to fly over strategic areas, evading control. Robert Wheeler, an FBI assistant director, admitted during a House hearing that the situation “is concerning precisely because there’s no clear explanation.”
The phenomenon has elicited mixed reactions among public officials and the population. Some citizens describe the drones as “sophisticated and unsettling,” while others are calling for stricter measures, including the possibility of shooting them down. However, federal laws prohibit both private individuals and the military from targeting drones unless they pose a clear and imminent threat.
Senator Cory Booker has called for greater transparency from federal authorities, emphasizing that institutional silence fuels fear and misinformation. In a letter to the FBI and other government agencies, Booker requested the disclosure of all available information to reassure the public and combat the spread of unfounded theories.
Although flying drones is legal if conducted under FAA regulations, the size, number, and coordinated nature of these sightings have puzzled experts. One theory, now ruled out, suggested that these “unidentified objects” were part of military exercises, but the commander of the Picatinny Arsenal base denied any involvement.
This mystery is reminiscent of similar events in the past, such as the flyovers of aircraft at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia for 17 consecutive days. Even then, authorities failed to provide plausible explanations.
