Interagency Briefing on Drone Sightings Over NJ and NY

Briefing

FBI

On November 18th we have received reports on multiple suspicious activities, including unidentified unmanned objects, reported in NJ. The FBI opened an investigation. FBI Newark established a hotline for 911 calls regarding the drones.

Investigation results

We received 5,000 tips, with fewer than 100 leads warranting further investigation. No evidence found of large-scale operations. The FBI will continue investigations. Many approaching planes are often mistaken for UAVs at night.

DHS

The Department of Homeland Security has devoted significant resources to this issue. No evidence has been found of a threat to public safety. Investigations continue into whether these are actual drones or inaccurate sightings. Many reports have been of manned aircraft mistaken for UAVs. Equipment has not detected anything unusual. The Coast Guard is monitoring power plants, but no malicious activity has been detected. DHS urges Congress to pass legislation to better equip authorities to identify threats.

FAA

This is an interagency effort involving multiple agencies. It is not illegal to fly drones in U.S. airspace. It is legal to fly drones in most locations if flown below 400 feet, without posing a hazard to people or property, or restricting airspace, both during the day and at night. Drones are prohibited over Trump Golf Course in Bedminster and Picatinny Arsenal until December 20th, which will be possibly extended.

Press Questions

Press: Why did you call this conference, and what is actually happening? How long will this go on?

FBI: We investigate criminal misuse of drones (such as smuggling or espionage). Any investigation is limited in scope. We are doing everything we can to understand the situation, but we cannot say how long this will continue.

Press: What about Maryland? The Governor has shared a video of a 45-minute drone activity on X.

FBI: There have been many sightings of manned aviation. Across the country, there is expanded drone activity that has not been coordinated. These incidents are not linked.

Press: Do you think people are panicking?

FBI: Yes, there have been 5,000 leads, and fewer than 100 were actually useful. We live in NJ too, and our kids have the same questions. We believe there has been an overreaction.

Press: Has there been any confirmed sighting near sensitive or military installations?

JOINT STAFF: We have confirmed such a sighting at Picatinny Arsenal, observed visually by our security personnel. Drone incursions over our bases have been an ongoing issue, and we have electronic means to identify, categorize, and employ equipment to deny access. Most of these are low-grade violations. There’s a “no drone zone" in federal controlled airspace, and these violations are federal offenses. To date, we have no intelligence or evidence suggesting these were linked to foreign actors or had malicious intent. However, we don’t know for sure. Our authority to locate where these drones were launched from is limited. We work closely with local authorities, and communication is excellent. We are just as frustrated with the irresponsible activity. (At this point, the host interrupted and moved to the next question.)

Press: What has changed today (12/14) from what you knew a week ago?

Response: It is our responsibility to keep you updated, which is what we’re doing here today. As of now, we have not identified any bases or evidence suggesting criminal or foreign activity or any other threat. We take this situation very seriously. Some reports have involved manned aircraft that people mistakenly identified as drones. We want to share what we know with the public. Legislation is pending to allow local authorities to use more capabilities to study such incidents.

End of briefing.