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

[u/logic_over_emotion_]

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

[u/logic_over_emotion_]

There have been numerous large drone sightings the last few weeks across New Jersey, which is drawing attention and concerns from citizens and politicians across the aisle. They avoid traditional detection from radio and helicopter, and have been seen near military installations and President-elect Trump’s golf course in Bedminster.

The AP indicates that most of these are larger than hobbyist drones and likely not being flown by citizens. Governor Murphy has said the drones don’t appear to be a threat to public safety, but also that “this is something we’re taking deadly seriously”. A pentagon spokeswoman said today “our initial assessment here is that these are not drones or activities coming from a foreign entity or adversary.”

I consider myself pretty grounded but this, along with other events like the blimp that flew over the country, seem pretty unusual. Since this has already gained attention and confirmed by many people, should the government have more transparency and provide some details, if this is from our military/government? If the government isn’t aware of the source and it isn’t considered to be hobbyists, is there confidence there is no threat? Other thoughts or theories?

[u/OkBubbyBaka → u/logic_over_emotion_]

Absolutely ridiculous that it seems a foreign entity is flying spy craft right over our bases and the DoD is just “who knows who it is, whatev”. Failure after failure on their part, really makes me hope for a good shake up and clean up with whoever is in charge next. My take on it.

[u/AppleSlacks → u/OkBubbyBaka]

The pentagon spokesman stated, “our initial assessment here is that these are not drones or activities coming from a foreign entity or adversary.”

I don’t know why that makes you argue that “it seems a foreign entity is flying spy craft right over our bases.”

I don’t know how much more clear they could be that it’s the military and the tight lipped nature means it’s likely classified tech, research and testing.

The balloon from China kicked off a major response where it was shot down over the ocean and retrieved. The lack of investigative interest makes who is flying these apparent.

[u/absentlyric → u/AppleSlacks]

If they are domestic, then they need to conduct over military controlled airspace. When you start going over peoples homes and out into the wild, you should have a good PR story ready to answer questions when people start asking. Or risk people coming to their own conclusions.

[u/Kamohoaliii → u/absentlyric]

But what if that is the purpose of the test? To determine how easily and how fast they are spotted by civilian populations and what the response is.

[u/AppleSlacks → u/absentlyric]

Nope, Congress approved a corridor from Dover AFB to McGuire Joint Base just last summer.

[u/That_Shape_1094 → u/AppleSlacks]

The pentagon spokesman stated, “our initial assessment here is that these are not drones or activities coming from a foreign entity or adversary.”

If it isn't foreign, then it must be domestic. Which is even more troubling. Why is the US government flying drones over civilian areas, while refusing to give any explanation.

[u/AppleSlacks → u/That_Shape_1094]

Last year they approved a testing corridor for UAV’s from Dover AFB up to McGuire. The US government is actively developing all kinds of both defensive and offensive drone technologies. This is a given and is necessary due to Chinese manufacturing capabilities. We probably need to rapidly develop ways to defend against large swarms of drones.

In any event, any kind of developmental work for the military is typically at a minimum secret, perhaps classified higher, which puts it all under “need to know”.

There are laws regarding sharing that information along with penalties for doing so with parties that were not eligible to have that information. That does include US citizens.

For me personally, I am rooting for whatever they are working on to be really effective. Having watched some Ukraine war footage, drone warfare is here and now, it’s the future and it’s scary.

I don’t like the prospect of going up against the manufacturing might of China in producing fast, simple, capable drone weapons.

[u/That_Shape_1094 → u/AppleSlacks]

In any event, any kind of developmental work for the military is typically at a minimum secret, perhaps classified higher, which puts it all under “need to know”.

Sure, we can have secrets. Just have the Pentagon come out and say that the stuff belongs to them. People are already seeing it in the sky, so pretending it isn't there, doesn't make any sense.

There are laws regarding sharing that information along with penalties for doing so with parties that were not eligible to have that information. That does include US citizens.

Details are classified. But when people are already seeing it in the sky, acknowledging the existence isn't reveling national secrets.

I don’t like the prospect of going up against the manufacturing might of China in producing fast, simple, capable drone weapons.

You should be worried about us going up against China, period. China is really good at manufacturing all sorts of things, probably more than the entire US+Europe+Japan+Korea. So long as Russia continues to provide the raw materials, the Chinese can probably out-manufacture the rest of the planet.

[u/AppleSlacks → u/That_Shape_1094]

I mean they pretty much have. It’s not foreign, people aren’t in danger. That’s pretty much declaring they know about its origins.

Contrast that with the Chinese balloon response, where jets were scrambled, it followed and shot down over water and the materials retrieved.

If this was at all something they weren’t aware of or aware why it was there, they would have a different response.

I am in NJ though. Still yet to see one, even sat out with a fire pit this past weekend. Maybe I will catch a glimpse of one tonight.

[u/That_Shape_1094 → u/AppleSlacks]

I mean they pretty much have

So why not come out and make a simple, clear, statement to the American people? Its not a secret anymore, so why not just do that?

[u/Bunnybuzki → u/AppleSlacks]

They always give us a heads up when military testing is going to be noticeable and that is indeed with other classified tech. This isn’t “clear” that it’s them especially after all the press

[u/MajorElevator4407 → u/OkBubbyBaka]

It isn't a foreign entity, it is from the US government.

[u/heavyonthahound → u/MajorElevator4407]

Why would our own government be so interested in New Jersey (of all places) that they would fly their most sophisticated drones around for all to see?

[u/superbiondo → u/MajorElevator4407]

But the Pentagon just said they aren't ours.

[u/No_Radish9565 → u/superbiondo]

The Pentagon would surely never lie to us!

[u/Bunnybuzki → u/logic_over_emotion_]

Even though many military tests are classified, we are typically given alerts whenever there may be noise or tremors or any effect on us. The “military classified” theory really doesn’t hold up. 

This feels more like a test of us, what are we willing to tolerate?