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Mystery in the Skies: New Jersey’s Drones Light Up the Night While the Public Remains in the Dark

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Unanswered Questions in New Jersey’s Skies

Clusters of large, loud drones have been appearing nightly over New Jersey and nearby states. Hovering near sensitive military installations like Picatinny Arsenal, these mysterious flights have caused panic, speculation, and demands for answers. Yet weeks into the sightings, the federal government remains silent, leaving both lawmakers and residents without explanations.

Federal agencies insist the drones pose no immediate threat, but history and recent advancements in drone technology suggest there could be more to the story. From missing nuclear weapons to the risk of dirty bombs, devices that spread radioactive material, the mystery drones raise serious national security questions and highlight growing frustration with government secrecy.

The Drones: What We Know

The drones were first spotted on November 18, 2024, by law enforcement in Morris County, New Jersey. Since then, sightings have expanded into New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. Witnesses describe the drones as large, with an estimated diameter of six feet, and equipped with extraordinary battery lives, allowing them to remain airborne for six to seven hours. According to New Jersey Assemblyman Greg Myhre, the drones often operate in coordinated swarms, evade radar detection, and deactivate their lights when approached, raising significant concerns about their origin and purpose.

These advanced capabilities, including the use of swarm technology, suggest a level of sophistication far beyond recreational or commercial models. As noted in the Department of Defense’s Perdix Fact Sheet, swarm technology enables drones to function collectively, sharing data and adapting dynamically to their environment without direct operator control. Such technology would allow these drones to operate with precision, covering large areas efficiently.

Despite their advanced features, federal agencies, including the FBI and DHS, have been unable to identify the drones’ operators or determine their purpose. In a joint statement, the agencies assured the public that the drones pose no known threat. However, lawmakers like New Jersey Rep. Andy Kim remain skeptical. After participating in a local drone hunt, Kim criticized the lack of answers, calling it a glaring failure of the nation’s detection and countermeasure capabilities.

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IAEA experts examine recovery work on top of Unit 4 of TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, 2013, by Greg Webb, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Speculation about the drones’ purpose has ranged from foreign surveillance to classified domestic operations. Some have even suggested the possibility of UFO activity, pointing to the drones’ extraordinary capabilities and elusive behavior. However, a more pressing question arises. Could these drones be part of a covert mission to detect radioactive materials, such as those associated with missing nuclear weapons or dirty bomb components?

Dirty Bombs: A Growing Concern

The idea of dirty bombs, also known as radiological dispersal devices (RDDs), is both alarming and misunderstood. These devices combine conventional explosives, like dynamite, with radioactive material, creating a weapon designed to spread contamination rather than cause mass destruction. While they are not as catastrophic as nuclear bombs, the explosion from a dirty bomb can scatter radioactive particles, leading to widespread panic, costly cleanups, and potential long-term health risks.

The Environmental Protection Agency warns that terrorists have pursued radioactive materials for use in dirty bombs. For example, Chechen extremists in 1995 threatened to detonate one in Moscow, and authorities in the U.S. and U.K. have uncovered similar plots involving groups like Al-Qaeda. These examples show that the threat, while rare, is real.

The mysterious drones hovering near sensitive locations, including military sites, have raised questions about whether they are part of efforts to locate radioactive materials. Advances in drone technology, like gamma-ray detection systems, now allow for airborne searches of radioactive substances. If these drones are involved in a classified operation to find dirty bomb materials or lost nuclear weapons, it might explain their strange flight patterns and why officials remain tight-lipped about their purpose.

High-Tech Drones: A Game-Changer for Detecting Dangerous Materials

Drones are no longer just tools for photography or hobbies. They’re now at the forefront of protecting the public from radioactive threats. Some advanced drones are equipped with High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) detectors, which can identify radioactive substances and distinguish between harmless natural radiation and dangerous, man-made sources. Research published in Applied Radiation and Isotopes demonstrates that HPGe-equipped drones can detect even faint traces of radiation with remarkable precision.

In addition to identifying radioactive materials, these drones are outfitted with advanced cameras and sensors that can map areas from above with high accuracy. This makes them especially valuable for searching locations that are difficult, or unsafe, for humans to explore. These tools have been used to scan urban areas and rugged terrain, providing real-time data to operators who can act quickly if threats are detected.

What sets these drones apart is their ability to work together using “swarm technology.” By sharing information in real time, a team of drones can cover large areas efficiently, pinpointing the location of radioactive materials even if they are hidden or moving. The U.S. Department of Defense’s Perdix drone program has shown how this technology allows drones to adapt dynamically and perform coordinated searches with minimal human input.

Drones deployed near sensitive sites such as the Picatinny Arsenal are likely part of operations aimed at securing radioactive materials. With global concerns rising about nuclear material trafficking, particularly from conflict zones like Ukraine, these drones represent a vital layer of defense. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory emphasizes that technologies like these are critical for reducing risks and safeguarding public safety.

Broken Arrows: A Troubling History with Modern Implications

The United States has a long history of losing nuclear weapons. Eleven remain unrecovered according to the Brookings Institution, and incidents involving missing or trafficked nuclear materials are still a growing concern. Recent data from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) highlights the ongoing threat. In 2022 alone, the IAEA Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB) documented 146 incidents where nuclear or radioactive materials fell out of regulatory control. These included thefts, smuggling attempts, and improper disposal. Since 1993, the ITDB has recorded over 4,000 cases, with 344 tied to trafficking or malicious use. Alarmingly, 62 percent of thefts over the past decade occurred during transport.

This is not just a theoretical risk. Bad actors and organized networks have repeatedly sought to exploit vulnerabilities. Materials stolen or mishandled could be sold on the black market or weaponized into radiological dispersal devices, commonly referred to as dirty bombs. The IAEA’s Elena Buglova stressed the importance of tracking these trends to strengthen international nuclear security and close gaps in storage, transport, and disposal.

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Chernobyl building after nuclear disaster, via Pixabay

Historical examples, such as the 1961 Goldsboro, North Carolina accident or the unrecovered 1958 bomb off Tybee Island, highlight the dangers of lost nuclear materials. Today, the risks are compounded by geopolitical instability and the growing sophistication of trafficking networks. Rogue actors, including terrorist organizations, have expressed interest in using radioactive materials for malicious purposes. The fact that incidents like these are still occurring underscores the urgent need for global cooperation and stronger safeguards.

This troubling history, paired with current trends, reveals a stark reality. Nuclear security is not just a relic of the Cold War. It remains a pressing challenge that demands international attention and action to prevent potentially catastrophic consequences.

Testing Public Reaction: Are the Drones an Experiment?

One possible reason for these drone operations could be to test how people react to them. By flying the drones in plain sight, officials might be studying public behavior and figuring out how to use this technology in real situations. If a major emergency, like a dirty bomb or large-scale crisis, were to happen, knowing how people respond and improving the way drones are used could be crucial. This kind of practice run might help fine-tune how drones can handle crowded cities or protect important areas in high-pressure situations.

Public Reaction: Fear and Frustration
With no clear answers from officials, citizens have taken matters into their own hands. A Facebook group, “New Jersey Mystery Drones Let’s Solve It,” now has over 68,000 members. People post videos, photos, and theories ranging from foreign espionage to secret government experiments, and even extraterrestrial invasions. The lack of transparency has created a void of information, fueling fear, speculation, and growing distrust.

Residents like Trisha Bushey of Lebanon Township, New Jersey, express deep frustration. “How can you say it’s not a threat if you don’t know what it is?” she asked, capturing the sentiment of many who feel dismissed and left in the dark. For some, the idea that officials might be withholding information is as unsettling as the drones themselves.

Experts such as William Austin, a professor specializing in drone technology, suggest some sightings could be misidentified aircraft or optical illusions caused by phenomena like parallax. However, these technical explanations fail to address reports of drones with advanced features, including swarming capabilities, radar evasion, and long hover times near sensitive locations.

While officials may be staying tight-lipped to avoid sparking unnecessary panic, their silence is having the opposite effect. The absence of clear information is leaving the public to fill in the gaps with their worst fears. Without transparency, concerns about alien invasions, foreign surveillance, or even dangerous government experiments continue to grow unchecked. Open communication could help dispel rumors and restore trust, but for now, the lack of answers is only fueling the anxiety.

The Case for Transparency
The ongoing mystery of the New Jersey drones has brought into sharp focus the tension between government secrecy and public trust. Lawmakers, including Gov. Phil Murphy and Rep. Jeff Van Drew, have repeatedly called for federal agencies to provide clarity, with Murphy even reaching out directly to President Biden. Yet the lack of concrete answers has left both citizens and their representatives in the dark, prompting serious questions about accountability.

History demonstrates how withholding information under the guise of national security can erode trust. The 1968 Thule crash in Greenland is a stark reminder: a U.S. bomber carrying nuclear weapons crashed, scattering radioactive debris, but the incident was concealed for years. When the truth came out, it fueled public outrage and diminished faith in government transparency. Such secrecy often amplifies fear, sparking wild speculation in the absence of facts.

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The destructive potential of nuclear warfare, via Openverse

The stakes are even higher today. With advanced surveillance technologies, sensitive military operations, and reports of lost nuclear materials, transparency is not just ethical, but essential. The drones’ presence near critical sites like the Picatinny Arsenal raises concerns that cannot be dismissed with vague assurances. Without clear, factual updates, the public is left to fill in the blanks with theories ranging from foreign espionage to extraterrestrial activity.

By staying silent, officials risk creating a vacuum of information that feeds distrust and fuels anxiety. Transparency does not mean revealing classified details, but timely and credible communication can reassure citizens and maintain social stability. Failing to do so risks worsening the divide between the government and the people it serves, ultimately undermining national security and public confidence alike.

The Bigger Picture: A Call to Action
Whether these drones are searching for radioactive materials, monitoring sensitive sites, or conducting classified tests, their presence underscores significant gaps in the U.S. government’s ability to detect and counter aerial threats. More importantly, it raises urgent questions about the status of missing nuclear materials and the transparency of operations that may directly impact public safety.

The Constitution establishes that government power derives from “We the People,” meaning public accountability is not merely a privilege but a cornerstone of American democracy. The First Amendment guarantees the right to petition the government and speak freely, empowering citizens to demand transparency. Meanwhile, Article I, Section 9 requires that “a regular statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published,” reinforcing the principle of accountability. Additionally, the Fourth Amendment’s protection against “unreasonable searches and seizures” highlights the importance of safeguarding individual liberties from unchecked government actions.

Secrecy, even in the name of national security, can undermine public trust. History has repeatedly shown that unchecked secrecy can harm the very citizens it aims to protect. The Watergate scandal revealed the dangers of executive overreach, while the Manhattan Project’s secrecy left entire communities exposed to radiation without their knowledge. By withholding information about potentially dangerous activities, the government risks eroding the trust that is essential for national stability.

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The Constitution of the United States, via Openverse

Failing to demand transparency not only risks public safety but also undermines the principles of democracy that ensure government accountability. Without public oversight, we allow critical decisions to be made in the shadows, potentially endangering our lives and liberties.

Citizens have tools at their disposal to hold the government accountable:

  • Invoke Constitutional Rights: Use the First Amendment to write to representatives, organize public forums, or join advocacy groups pressing for transparency on national security issues.
  • Demand Oversight: Encourage Congress to use its constitutional authority to investigate and oversee classified operations that may affect public safety, as outlined in Article I.
  • Utilize Legal Mechanisms: File Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to obtain records about drone activity, nuclear safety, or other relevant issues. The law guarantees public access to federal documents, except under specific exemptions.
  • Engage in Civil Discourse: Leverage platforms like town halls and social media to foster constructive dialogue between communities and elected officials. Amplify concerns while relying on credible sources to prevent the spread of misinformation.

Trisha Bushey of New Jersey captured the growing frustration, saying, “How can you say it’s not a threat if you don’t know what it is?” Her words echo the concerns of communities nationwide, concerns that deserve answers.

Transparency is not simply a moral obligation. It is a constitutional mandate. With lost nuclear weapons, escalating geopolitical tensions, and the rising threat of dirty bombs, the public has an undeniable right to know. The framers of the Constitution envisioned a government that is accountable to its people. This principle serves not just as a promise but as our strongest protection.

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