Drones and night again. The story began weeks ago in New Jersey and neighboring states. One, two, ten…. Sightings of mysterious drones circling the skies of the United States were piling up. The wave of complaints and citizens’ concerns escalated the case to high levels, involving agencies such as the FBI and the Pentagon, in addition to generating theories ranging from espionage to extraterrestrial beings. Many people remember the obvious: Ockham’s razor, there is Colorado precedent for everything else.

Hysteria and misinformation. As we said, everything has happened in these weeks, from the sporadic initial reports to the daily and constant stream of testimonies that lead to all kinds of theories about the incident. In New Jersey, alarm prompted 21 local mayors to send a letter to Governor Phil Murphy demanding clarity on the sightings, while local media added further confusion. Statements calling for “military intervention” by some politicians, such as Councilwoman Dawn Fantasia, who described UAVs as figures “up to two meters in diameter,” fueled collective fear. At the same time, conspiracy theories are proliferating on networks speculating about the purpose and origin of drones.

Despite the uncertainty, records show that these events often have more mundane explanations. In Colorado, for example, between 2019 and 2020, “drones” were revealed to be a mix of Starlink satellites, commercial aircraft, recreational drones, and atmospheric effects that caused misperceptions. There were even cases where authorities’ own drone surveys led to new sightings, and the cycle of panic continued.

The way it is seen in mass. In this context, civilian drone activities expert Faine Greenwood reminded Media 404 that these incidents are certainly not new. Since ancient times, sightings of unknown flying objects have triggered mass hysteria, and more recently UFOs have been replaced by drones as objects of speculation.

Greenwood noted that confusion and lack of coordination between agencies contribute to the chaos, as often the technology used is not properly identified even by commercial pilots or trained personnel. In other words, most initial reports tend to be wrong. For example, a 2014 FAA report on “drone” sightings included descriptions of balloons, large birds, and planets; This revealed how difficult it was for observers to accurately identify objects in the sky. The same situation is likely happening in New Jersey, where some sightings have been misinterpreted as normal flights.

Official response and discussion. So what do the authorities say? Measures were taken to control the situation. To restrict the flight of legal drones, the FAA implemented no-fly zones in affected areas and synchronized them with geofencing systems. But critics point out that these restrictions could harm legitimate operators without addressing the real problem.

The Pentagon has denied that the drones are of US military origin, but the history of secrecy in secret tests undoubtedly raises further suspicions. Some experts, such as Loretta Alkalay, a former FAA official, suggest these may be covert tests, given that many sightings have occurred over bodies of water, minimizing the risk in the event of a fall.

Let’s remember Colorado. In these cases, experts emphasize that it is important to compensate for similar situations experienced in the past. That’s why the Colorado case is so remembered these days. There, after months of speculation and panic, investigations concluded there was no illegal or suspicious activity.

As well as satellites and aircraft, unusual events misinterpreted as “drone strikes” have also been detected, such as farmers using drones to distribute irrigation gels. When the COVID-19 epidemic distracted the media’s attention, public interest decreased and observations decreased.

Drones are parents. The event and similar events not only highlight the general lack of education regarding weather technology, but also how news and misinformation can fuel collective fear. Drones, like UFOs decades ago, represent a blank canvas for cultural projections, political fears, and institutional distrust. In this context, Greenwood emphasizes that this cycle will continue to repeat as long as the disconnect between technology and social perception continues.

The other leg that needs to be addressed is numerical. Drone use has increased exponentially in the United States. The FAA estimates that 1.8 million recreational drones and nearly one million commercial drones will be in operation by 2024. While regulations require drones weighing more than 240 pounds to be registered and pilots certified for commercial use, inconsistencies in recreational aircraft registrations make it difficult to accurately track these fleets.

Regardless, the New Jersey case not only highlights the complexity of regulating a rapidly expanding technology but also the growing need to improve interagency oversight and coordination. As drones increase in number and sophistication around the world, regulatory challenges and public concerns regarding their use will continue to grow, highlighting the importance of robust infrastructure to manage the impacts of drones on airspace and national security.

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