The Jersey Drones Sightings

The Jersey Drone Sightings

In the summer of 2020, reports of mysterious drones flying over parts of New Jersey sparked widespread intrigue and speculation. Over a span of several weeks, residents in various areas, particularly in the southwestern part of the state, reported seeing clusters of large drones hovering at night. Some of these sightings led to discussions about possible military operations, surveillance activities, and even extraterrestrial involvement. Despite many theories, the Jersey drone sightings remain an unsolved mystery.

In this blog post, we’ll delve into everything we know about the Jersey drone sightings, from the first reports to the various theories surrounding their origin and purpose.

The First Reports: Summer 2020

The Jersey drone sightings first gained significant attention in late 2019 and early 2020, although reports of strange drone activity have appeared sporadically in New Jersey and surrounding areas for several years. However, the summer of 2020 marked a peak in these sightings. In particular, between June and August, numerous residents in towns like Franklin, Hunterdon, and Warren counties reported seeing groups of large drones flying in formation, often at night. These drones were described as being much larger than typical consumer drones, and sightings suggested they flew at high altitudes, at times over vast distances, and in perfect alignment.

Local authorities were quickly alerted, but they could not offer a definitive explanation for the sightings. The drones often appeared in patterns, flying in grid-like formations across vast swaths of land, usually in rural areas. Some residents claimed they saw as many as 30 to 50 drones at once, and reports suggested the drones were operating at night and flying in areas not commonly accessed by civilians. The drones appeared to have lights, making them visible to observers.

Theories and Speculation

With little official information from authorities, the mysterious nature of the sightings gave rise to several theories about the drones’ origin and purpose. Here are some of the key ideas that circulated during and after the events:

1. Military Surveillance Operations

One of the earliest and most persistent theories was that the drones were part of a military or government surveillance operation. Some speculated that the drones were being used to monitor specific areas, perhaps as part of a covert military exercise or to surveil infrastructure. There was a heightened concern regarding national security, as drones of this scale were not commonly seen in civilian airspace.

In response to the growing speculation, the U.S. Air Force did acknowledge the presence of drones in the area, but they denied any involvement in the sightings. The Air Force confirmed that they were not operating large drones in the region at that time. However, this statement did little to quell the public’s fears and suspicions.

2. Commercial Drone Testing

Another plausible theory was that the drones were part of a commercial testing program. Some believed that large companies or research organizations were testing new drone technology in remote areas. Companies like Amazon and Google have expressed interest in drone delivery services, so it was assumed that these sightings could be part of that research. Yet, many of these drones were too large and operated too systematically to match the size and scope of standard delivery drones.

3. Extraterrestrial Theories

The mystery surrounding the sightings led some to entertain the idea of extraterrestrial involvement. Alien theories gained traction on social media, especially as there were no clear explanations from authorities. The idea that these drones were from another planet, conducting reconnaissance or surveillance on Earth, was a popular but unlikely explanation. Nevertheless, this theory persisted, fueled by the strange formations and the unexplained nature of the sightings.

4. Aerial Surveying or Mapping

A more grounded explanation is that the drones were part of an aerial surveying operation. This could involve anything from wildlife monitoring to land surveying, or even mapping remote areas for future development projects. Drones are often used in these activities due to their ability to cover large areas efficiently and with precision. However, some of the reports suggested a level of coordination and formation flying that is uncommon for typical surveying drones.

5. Prank or Hoax

A final theory is that the Jersey drone sightings were part of an elaborate hoax or prank. Some suggested that the sightings were fabricated or exaggerated by a group of people with a penchant for conspiracy theories. This theory doesn’t explain the large, systematic drone formations, but it was a possibility that authorities considered. Some residents even thought that the drones could have been coordinated by a group of people to generate buzz or create fear.

6. Foreign government observation

Some have suggested that the drones were of Iranian origin launched from an Iranian mothership off the East Coast of the United States.  However, American government authorities have vehemently denied that there is any Iranian mothership off of the coast.

Investigations and Responses

In response to the surge in reports, local authorities, including the New Jersey State Police, investigated the sightings. Despite their efforts, no one was able to provide a conclusive explanation for the unusual drone activity. At times, it appeared that the drones were being operated by individuals or groups outside the jurisdiction of local law enforcement.

In the absence of solid leads, authorities asked for public assistance in identifying the drones, urging citizens to report sightings and provide any relevant information. Federal agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), were also brought into the investigation, but they similarly failed to uncover any official explanation.

The Decline of Drone Activity

By the fall of 2020, the frequency of sightings began to diminish. While isolated reports continued in the years following, the phenomenon of large, coordinated drone swarms seemingly came to an end. The sudden drop in sightings, combined with the absence of any conclusive answers, left many people frustrated and still searching for answers.

Uptick in 2024

The back half of 2024 has seen a surprising uptick in drone activity.  Additionally, the drones have now been seen not only in New Jersey, but New York and Connecticut.  The sightings have also gone viral on social media and brought national news attention to the issue.  Unfortunately no new evidence has been revealed and speculation has run rampant.

This really seems first of all like a terrestrial vehicle, the vehicles are clearly drones, with standard lighting and propellers.  This would seem to limit the possibility of the vehicles being of extraterrestrial origin as they have not exhibited any of the characteristics of recent UAP sightings. 

This really feels like some sort of government activity, the purpose behind it will hopefully be revealed soon.  Stay Tuned!