The drone story keeps heating up, with some people scoffing at the whole affair by suggesting that the whole thing is a moral panic and that the lights are just airplanes on flight paths in very crowded airspace--a plausible explanation. After all, if we are primed to see something, we often see it, especially if there is an optical illusion involved. 

Our brains can work that way. Data coming in that can be interpreted in multiple ways tends to get analyzed in light of preconceptions; confirmation bias, in other words. 

That's the explanation given on X from an ex-military pilot who currently flies 737s. He has many reasons to argue this, but the most compelling is the lack of NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen) warning pilots to look out for unauthorized drones in the region. 

A car sized drone, as they are being described, would be able to avoid radar if it stayed very low…but if it went up even 1,000’, ATC would start seeing it on radar & warning pilots about an “unknown contact”. Further, if a pilot reported one, ATC would have an obligation to warn other pilots…just like they do with lasers.But we’re not getting that. At this point, I think we can conclude ATC isn’t seeing these drones.There’s another tool we can use: Airline Operations. If there were lots of drones in the approach corridor of Newark, Philadelphia or really any airport they serve, the airlines would issue an “Ops Alert” or “Pilot Bulletin”. The name of these vary from airline to airline, but essentially it’s a warning to pilots to watch out for unusual things that might not be covered by the NOTAM system (though the drones in this could would).I can’t speak for all, but my airline – which uses one of these airports as a major hub – has issued no such alert, so no luck there.What’s the pilot chatter? From what I’ve seen in my groups, most pilots think it’s funny. The videos we’ve seen are quite obviously airplanes to us. If some of the videos were just a little clearer, we could tell you which airline…I spent 10 minutes trying to clean up one that had the logo light on the tail, but ultimately couldn’t decide which airline’s logo it was (likely United).Further, this is very busy airspace that ATC descends us down low in, often early…especially for Newark. The approach corridors extend pretty far out in this area…it’s super tight airspace. So, yes, you can expect to see airplanes here.

But then again, there does appear to be a NOTAM in the region addressing the use of military drones in New Jersey, so I am not certain that this is accurate except...the military claims to know nothing about what is happening. 

Other ex-military airmen are stumped, though, and frustrated by the government's silence. 

NJ State Rep walks out of emergency UAP/Drone meeting because no one there was serious about finding out what they are. pic.twitter.com/Scm7LgNAOI

— Being Libertarian (@beinlibertarian) December 11, 2024

Other politicians are frustrated by the lack of clarity. 

New Jersey senator-elect Andy Kim went out with New Jersey State Patrol to investigate himself--not trusting the "experts" who aren't telling us anything anyway, and made some interesting observations. 

Sorry for the long thread, but I thought you would like to get his full report. 

Others have suggested that the military is experimenting with drones meant for delivering supplies to ships, which also seems plausible but for the fact that the Pentagon has denied any knowledge of what is happening. It's not unusual for us to be lied to about black projects, but this wouldn't be a black project, and military drones shouldn't be buzzing houses. 

One thing seems clear: this isn't aliens bent on doing anal probes or eviscerating cows. This has an earthly explanation. Aliens wouldn't use anti-collision lights unless they were sensitive to the rules of navigation in the air. 

Drones Revealed To Be Iranian After Closer Inspection https://t.co/r2NpSLIi2J pic.twitter.com/TTjsNHeCAq

— The Babylon Bee (@TheBabylonBee) December 11, 2024

The whole thing is weird, and I haven't much of a theory to explain it. But it seems implausible that with all the technology we have, the area in which this is happening the government genuinely has no idea what is happening. 

In other words, we are almost certainly being lied to about something, but I don't know what. 

Theories, anyone?

UPDATE: There are reports that one was downed and the region was evacuated, although it sounds like a small area. 

BREAKING REPORT: Massive search now underway in Hillsborough, New Jersey after reports of a possible drone landing..

DEVELOPING..

Several agencies involved in the search.. https://t.co/0SQu3R4S2F pic.twitter.com/ubXcgMKpJi

— Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) December 13, 2024