Clearing the Air on New Jersey’s Drone Sightings

The story of mysterious drone sightings over New Jersey continues to dominate the headlines.  In this guest post from New Jersey-based Dr. Will Austin, a call for realistic assessment of what’s in the sky.  DRONELIFE neither accepts nor makes payment for guest posts.

No, There Aren’t Mysterious Large Drones Over New Jersey: It’s Time for Leadership and Facts

By Dr. Will Austin, President, Warren County Community College

In recent weeks, reports of “mysterious drones” flying over New Jersey have dominated headlines, sparking public curiosity, media frenzy, and even political concern. As a national drone expert and the President of Warren County Community College—home to New Jersey’s most advanced drone training program—I feel compelled to share what we know. Despite widespread claims, the evidence simply doesn’t support the existence of large drones in our night skies. What we are witnessing instead is a combination of misidentification, media amplification, and a sociological phenomenon that warrants careful consideration—not panic.

When the Story Began

I first heard about the drone sightings on November 19th from James Kern, leader of our elected county commission and a former Warren County Community College student. Curious but skeptical, I tasked my aviation students with monitoring the skies. After weeks of observation, their findings have remained consistent: we’ve only seen small drones—the kind you’d expect in New Jersey’s suburban and affluent areas.

By November 26th, the Morristown Daily Record reached out for comment. I explained that these sightings were likely caused by recreational FAA Trust-certified pilots, small commercial drones, or perhaps a misunderstood flyaway incident from nearby Picatinny Arsenal. But the media’s appetite for the “mystery drone” story grew quickly. Major outlets like USA Today picked up the narrative, transforming it into a national headline and, soon after, a political football.

While many were caught up in the intrigue, I went about my normal Thanksgiving holiday. When I returned to work, the story had snowballed, and I began receiving calls from state and national media. As the college that trains New Jersey’s drone pilots, we were naturally seen as a source of expertise. I welcomed the opportunity to set the record straight.

What the Evidence Shows

Despite growing eyewitness reports and videos, the evidence overwhelmingly points to misidentification. Over the last month, reporters have sent me photos, videos, and questions. Time and time again, the “large drones” people claim to see turn out to be airplanes, small drones, or even celestial objects like Jupiter, which has been particularly bright in New Jersey’s night sky this season.

In every case where I’ve reviewed visuals and data, the explanation is clear. Yet the narrative of “mysterious drones” persists. To date, I have not seen a single large drone—defined as weighing over 55 pounds—in flight over New Jersey, despite weeks of diligent searching and investigation.

Federal tracking software backs up these findings. On December 14th, 12 drones were logged flying in the entire state of New Jersey, and only one was detected the following day. Considering there are over 20,000 registered drones in the state, this data should be enough to dispel the myth of a coordinated fleet of large drones.

The Role of Mass Misidentification

How did we get here? As both an aviation expert and a sociologist, I believe we’re witnessing a case of “Mass Sociogenic Technophobia”—a modern form of shared panic driven by fear of technology. This phenomenon occurs when people, influenced by trusted voices, begin to report experiences that align with the dominant narrative.

When politicians, media outlets, and community members report seeing drones, others follow suit, believing their eyes must confirm the same. Night flying makes the situation worse. At night, the parallax effect—a familiar concept in aviation—can cause stationary objects to appear to hover or move unpredictably. Airplanes flying at a distance, for example, can be mistaken for drones, especially when lights or shadows obscure their true form.

I saw this play out firsthand when I appeared on major networks like FOX News, CNN, and MSNBC. While examining videos live on-air, I pointed out the obvious: these were airplanes or small drones, not the large, hovering objects described. Even well-intentioned officials, like Senator Andy Kim, have admitted to misidentifying aircraft as drones due to distrust or frustration with the federal government’s response.

Why It Matters

This situation is about more than just sensational headlines—it has real consequences. At WarrenUAS, we train students to work in one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. Our graduates are landing six-figure jobs in sectors like delivery, infrastructure, public safety, and defense. However, false narratives about drone sightings risk stalling industry progress.

Already, I’ve verified with local airport managers that frustrated residents have aimed laser pointers at “drones,” posing a major safety threat to manned flights. These actions stem from fear, not facts, and they endanger lives. Additionally, overreaction to these unfounded claims could result in restrictive regulations that stifle innovation and economic opportunity.

A Call for Leadership and Reason

At this point, it’s time for leadership from the FAA and federal agencies. Silence is not an option. The public needs clear, authoritative communication: there is no credible evidence of large drones operating over New Jersey. By remaining quiet, federal agencies allow misinformation to spread unchecked, leaving room for panic and overreaction.

The drone industry has too much to offer—cutting-edge technology, job creation, and life-saving applications—to be derailed by myths. We need facts, not speculation.

What’s Really in the Sky

So what have people seen? Likely airplanes, small drones, or even planets appearing unusually bright. What they haven’t seen are large drones coordinating across the skies. For weeks, I have searched diligently, reviewed evidence, and consulted with industry experts. The answer remains the same: the drones simply aren’t there.

To those concerned: take a breath, look up, and focus on what’s real. For the sake of safety, progress, and innovation, it’s time to put this story to rest.

Dr. Will Austin is the President of Warren County Community College and a recognized national drone expert. WarrenUAS offers cutting-edge drone training programs, preparing students for careers in the UAS industry.

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Read more:

• Understanding the New Jersey Drone Sightings: Separating Fact from Fiction
• FBI and DHS Debunk New Jersey Drone Reports: Misattribution Blamed
• Congressional Hearing Reveals Gaps in Counter-Drone Readiness Amid Concerns About N.Y./N.J. Drone Sightings