Updated: DHS and FBI issue statement on reported drone activity in New Jersey

Following various reports of drone sightings in New Jersey, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) jointly issued a statement on December 12:

“We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus. The FBI, DHS and our federal partners, in close coordination with the New Jersey State Police, continue to deploy personnel and technology to investigate this situation and confirm whether the reported drone flights are actually drones or are instead manned aircraft or otherwise inaccurate sightings.

“Historically, we have experienced cases of mistaken identity, where reported drones are, in fact, manned aircraft or facilities. We are supporting local law enforcement in New Jersey with numerous detection methods but have not corroborated any of the reported visual sightings with electronic detection. To the contrary, upon review of available imagery, it appears that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft, operating lawfully. There are no reported or confirmed drone sightings in any restricted air space. 

“We take seriously the threat that can be posed by unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), which is why law enforcement and other agencies continue to support New Jersey and investigate the reports. To be clear, they have uncovered no such malicious activity or intent at this stage. While there is no known malicious activity occurring in New Jersey, the reported sightings there do, however, highlight the insufficiency of current authorities.”

The joint statement came on the same day as Representative Mikie Sherrill, member of the House Armed Services Committee and former Navy Helicopter Aircraft Commander, demanded answers from Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. 

“New Jersey residents have come to me to share their deep concerns about the unidentified drones flying across Northern New Jersey. After conversations with the Department of Homeland Security, as well as state and local law enforcement, it’s become overwhelmingly clear that we need to modernise our counter UAS strategies to meet the demands of ever-changing technologies, ensure that military leaders at bases like Picatinny Arsenal have the tools they need to respond, and implement a better information-sharing system with members of the public,” said Rep. Sherrill. “While there is no known threat to New Jerseyans, I urge Secretary Austin and the Department of Defense to act swiftly to protect our national security and to provide peace of mind for Garden State families.”

The following day, a spokesperson from the Department of Defense said the department is frustrated with the appearance of the drones.

“The main point is to deter the activity using some of our electronic means that can respond to most of these small commercial systems and deny them access to the airspace over our bases,” the spokesperson said. “We don’t know what the activity is. We don’t know … if it is criminal. But I will tell you that it is irresponsible. Here on the military side, we are just as frustrated with the irresponsible nature of this activity.”

Meanwhile, Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) President and CEO Michael Robbins has also issued a statement, where he says that the lack of adequate government investment in airspace awareness technology has left the nation ill-equipped to reliably distinguish between lawful drone operations, careless activity, and potential threats.

“This week’s sightings highlight the urgent need for the US to modernise its approach to airspace monitoring and regulation.  The lack of clear rules and sufficient airspace awareness has led to these positive applications being overshadowed by concerns of misuse and safety.   

“The US government must act now to implement long-overdue regulations for drone operations and invest in modern airspace monitoring systems. These measures will enable all levels of government to distinguish between lawful, beneficial drone activities and those posing risks to public safety or security.”

In addition, reported unauthorised drone activity caused the closure of airspace over Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio late Friday and early Saturday.

The reported activity in the US comes less than a month after the US Air Force confirmed drone sightings over some of its bases in the UK.