A rash of unexplained drone sightings in the skies above New Jersey has left locals rattled and sent US officials scrambling for answers.
Breathless local news reports have amplified the anxious sky-gazing and wild speculation — interspersing blurry, dark clips from social media with irate locals calling for action.
For weeks now, the distinctive blinking lights and whirling rotors of large unmanned aerial vehicles have been spotted across the state west of New York.
But military brass, elected representatives and investigators have been unable to explain the recurring UFO phenomenon.
Officials including the governor have called on people not to be alarmed but have not yet offered an explanation for the aerial activity.
New Jersey congressman Chris Smith wrote to the Pentagon demanding answers.
“There have been numerous instances of unmanned aerial systems flying over New Jersey, including in close proximity to sensitive sites and critical infrastructure, to include military installations located in my district,” he wrote to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
The Pentagon, the nerve center of the US military, insists the objects are not “US military drones”.
The FBI told it was aware of the sightings “in multiple locations over the past several weeks” and said it was working with other agencies on the issue.
But the agency would not confirm reports of a crisis meeting between various government departments over the mounting concern.
Drones are permitted for both business applications and recreational use but are regulated by Federal Aviation Administration rules.
