FBI, Homeland Security Provide Update On Drones In MD Skies

MARYLAND — The FBI and Department of Homeland Security say they may have an answer for what's behind the increased sightings of mysterious aircraft and lights in the skies over Maryland and nearby states: absolutely nothing unusual.

In a joint statement released Tuesday, the agencies said that they've received some 5,000 tips and followed up on more than 100 leads with advanced detection technologies and trained observers.

"Having closely examined the technical data and tips from concerned citizens, we assess that the sightings to date include a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and stars mistakenly reported as drones," the agencies said. "We have not identified anything anomalous and do not assess the activity to date to present a national security or public safety risk over the civilian airspace in New Jersey or other states in the northeast."

See also:

• Mysterious Drones Spotted In MD Amid Increased Sightings
• Former MD Gov. Hogan Spots Drones Over Home, Slams 'Negligent Response' By Feds

This may well be met with a skeptical eye by the residents and local officials across Maryland — including former Gov. Larry Hogan — who have taken to social media over the past couple of weeks to share video of sights which they do not believe to be so easily explained away.

Hogan on Friday said he saw what appeared to be dozens of large drones in the sky above his Anne Arundel County home and slammed the federal government's "negligent response" amid growing concerns over similar sightings.

In a statement posted on X, accompanied by a video of the unidentified objects in the night sky, Hogan said he witnessed the activity around 9:45 p.m. and it lasted for about 45 minutes.

"Like many who have observed these drones, I do not know if this increasing activity over our skies is a threat to public safety or national security," Hogan said. "But the public is growing increasingly concerned and frustrated with the complete lack of transparency and the dismissive attitude of the federal government."

The FBI and Homeland Security did not explain why, if the sightings are just regular private and commercial drones and planes, there has been such a marked increase in the sightings.

The federal agencies said they still "recognize the concern" the public has expressed regarding the drones, and urged Congress to pass "counter-UAS (unmanned aircraft systems)" legislation immediately. They advised new legislation to "extend and expand existing counter-drone authorities to identify and mitigate any threat that may emerge."

Related:

• Can You Shoot Down Drones In MD? What To Know
• Late-Night Host Pokes Fun As Astronomers Debunk Hogan's MD Drone Claims

Maryland Gov. Wes Moorehas said little about the drone controversy.

His office sent a statement to WBAL saying: "We are aware of the reports of potential unmanned aerial system sightings and are working closely with federal authorities."

Sightings over military facilities along the East Coast and around the country are not new, authorities said, and investigations are consistently ongoing into encroachment by drones over Department of Defense airspace.