Big drones have become a hot topic in New Jersey, with residents reporting sightings of drones the size of small cars flying at night. Authorities are uncertain whether these sightings are of drones at all or if people are misidentifying something else, like regular airplanes.
Despite the confusion in New Jersey, large drones do exist and have a variety of uses for both hobbyists and professionals, including commercial and military applications, according to unmanned aircraft experts.
“There are endless possibilities for these devices,” says Ryan Wallace, an associate professor of aeronautical engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Drone Sightings in New Jersey
Authorities, including the FBI, are working to verify the reports of drone sightings in New Jersey, as residents continue to report unusual flying objects, sometimes in clusters. These sightings have mainly been in Morris and Somerset counties, part of the New York metropolitan area. However, even the US Coast Guard, under the Department of Homeland Security, has had encounters with these unidentified flying objects.
The Department of Homeland Security and the White House have stated that many of the sightings are likely manned aircraft operating lawfully. Some experts believe the objects in sighting videos resemble airplanes, not drones. As of now, there’s no evidence suggesting that the sightings pose any national security or public safety threat.
Frustration among residents is growing as they continue to see strange lights and erratic movements in the sky, like red and green flashing lights changing directions sharply, something planes cannot do.
Governor Phil Murphy has also expressed his concerns and urged the federal government for more answers.
The Uses of Large Drones
While many are familiar with small drones used for photography, larger drones have found practical applications in industries such as agriculture, infrastructure, and law enforcement. Larger drones can be used to survey fields, inspect roads and buildings, and even map areas. However, for these applications, drones typically fly during the day rather than at night, which differs from the reports in New Jersey.
Some law enforcement agencies also use drones for search and rescue missions, although they don’t always require large drones for such tasks. Larger drones are sometimes used in commercial delivery services, though it’s still relatively uncommon.
The military has also used big drones, equipped with various sensors, such as traditional cameras or infrared technology, for surveillance purposes. In the future, even larger drones, like those developed by Chinese company EHang, may be used for transporting people. However, these types of drones require extensive FAA approval, so it’s unlikely that we will see them flying in the U.S. anytime soon.