Northern New Jersey Residents Baffled by Unusual Drone Sightings

Drone in the sky

Unidentified drones flying over Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey, spark security concerns and extensive investigations.

At a Glance

  • Picatinny Arsenal reports mysterious drone sightings, raising security alarms.
  • The U.S. Army collaborates with multiple agencies to investigate the incidents.
  • Recent drone activities echo similar incidents at Langley Air Force Base.
  • Drones hovering over the facility and nearby regions remain unauthorized and illegal.

Drone Sightings Stir Security Concerns

Mysterious drone sightings have been consistently reported over Picatinny Arsenal, a key U.S. Army military facility in northern New Jersey. The arsenal, renowned for its armament development, has seen random drone activities, raising security concerns among local residents and military personnel. Unauthorized aerial objects spark a robust investigation by the U.S. Army in collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies to identify these drones’ origins and purposes.

Reports highlight that these drones were seen not only over the arsenal but also in the surrounding areas, evident from the evening of November 18, 2024. Alarmed by this unauthorized drone activity, security measures and information gathering with government partners have intensified.

Key Facility and Investigative Response

Picatinny Arsenal houses essential organizations like the Joint Center of Excellence for Guns and Ammunition. Unauthorized drone operations represent a direct threat to security measures in place. Reports of drone activity echo similar incidents recently seen at other sensitive sites, like Langley Air Force Base, enhancing concerns about potential security breaches.

“We received reports of what were believed to be drones flying over Picatinny Arsenal, in addition to other locations in Morris County…on the evening of November 18, 2024. Picatinny Arsenal organizations were not involved in UAV flight operations on that date. We are working with several of our local, state, and federal partner organizations to obtain more information on the reported activity,” facility spokesman Timothy Rider has said.

With unauthorized drone flights being illegal, the U.S. Army has taken active measures. State Police and an Army Black Hawk helicopter have been mobilized to track down these drones. Investigations continue actively to ensure the military facility and surrounding community’s security.

The Growing Drone Threat

The military’s concern regarding drone threats near military installations grows. This specific incident reiterates the ongoing need for enhanced monitoring and counteraction of unauthorized drone activities. As noted, these drones might not be affiliated with current operations combating nearby forest fires, stressing vigilance.

“New York State Police is the only agency authorized to operate Unmanned Aerial Systems on the New York State side of the wildfire. We don’t have any evidence that our UAS have crossed into New Jersey,” Beau Duffy from the New York State Police has said.

With an ongoing investigation, the military stresses the importance of remaining vigilant against unusual drone activities near key facilities. Updates are anticipated as new information materializes, underscoring the necessity for fortified security measures across all critical infrastructure.

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