What we know about the mysterious drones reported over the East Coast

Mysterious flying objects overhead. Concern and confusion. And calls for military intervention.

This isn’t the plot of "War of the Worlds," but rather the result of numerous unidentified drone sightings on the East Coast in recent weeks. The drones have been spotted over residential neighborhoods, restricted sites, and critical infrastructure.

The sightings have put intense pressure on federal agencies to provide more information about the aircraft, as officials have urged calm and emphasized there is no evidence suggesting the sightings pose a security threat.

Drone activity prompted at least one airport – New York’s Stewart International Airport – to temporarily close its runways for about an hour on Friday night.

"This has gone too far," said New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Saturday, adding last month she "directed the New York State Intelligence Center to actively investigate drone sightings and coordinate with federal law enforcement to address this issue."
The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security said in a joint statement Thursday there is "no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus."

Despite reassurances from federal officials, local politicians continue to press for more information and resources to investigate the sightings. In Morris County, New Jersey, Биткойн officials have called for the "federal government to marshal all federal resources at its disposal, including the military, to end the unauthorized flight of drones over our county and other parts of New Jersey."

Drones, a broad term for unmanned aerial vehicles, are widely owned across the United States. A total of 791,597 drones are registered with the FAA, nearly evenly divided between commercial and recreational use. They are used in various industries, including photography, agriculture and law enforcement.

There remains significant confusion about the exact nature of the sightings and how many are cases of "mistaken identity," as suggested by Homeland Security Director Alejandro Mayorkas and White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby.

Here’s more on what we know and don’t know about the sightings.