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A series of mysterious drone sightings in the United States has disrupted airport operations and triggered widespread concern, prompting calls for federal intervention. The latest incident took place Friday night when a drone intrusion temporarily closed Stewart International Airport in New York for an hour. This disruption adds to a growing list of unexplained drone activity reported in several states since mid-November, particularly in New Jersey.
Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her frustration following the Stewart closure, saying, “This has gone too far.” She has called on Congress to pass the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act, which would give state and local law enforcement more authority to tackle drone-related threats. In the meantime, Hochul is urging the Biden administration to deploy federal law enforcement to assist in protecting critical infrastructure.
“With nearly a million registered [drones] in the United States, there's no doubt many of them are owned and operated here within the state”.
Photo is a screengrab from video of a potential sighting shared on Facebook. Brian Glenn/TMX via AP, File
The issue is not isolated. In New Jersey, clusters of drones have been reported hovering over towns such as Randolph and Mendham Township, leading to concerns about security and public safety. Viral videos showing these sightings have fueled public anxiety, while incidents near sensitive locations, including Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle, have heightened the urgency of investigations.
Federal authorities remain divided on the cause. While the FBI has received nearly 5,000 reports, only about 100 have led to credible investigative leads. A Department of Homeland Security official suggested that some sightings might be misidentified aircraft, but the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acknowledges that there are confirmed cases of drones flying in restricted airspace.
An FAA official highlighted the scale of the challenge, noting that “With nearly a million registered [drones] in the United States, there's no doubt many of them are owned and operated here within the state”. In response, the FAA has imposed temporary no-fly zones over high-risk areas like military installations and major public events.
This photo provided by Trisha Bushey shows the evening sky and points of light near in Lebanon Township, N.J., on Dec. 5, 2024. (Trisha Bushey via AP)
Despite reassurances that these incidents do not appear to involve foreign interference or malicious intent, the unexplained nature of the drone activity remains a cause for concern. A military official overseeing drone security labeled the behavior as “irresponsible”, echoing the frustration shared by many citizens and officials.
Until investigations yield clearer answers, the U.S. continues to grapple with an unusual and persistent disruption in its airspace—leaving many uneasy and calling for swift action to address the mystery.
With info from ABC News
