2024 United States drone sightings

In late 2024, widespread reports of drones emerged across the United States. From November to December, thousands of witnesses described seeing drones—also known as unmanned aerial vehicles—flying at night. The sightings began in New Jersey and subsequently spread to neighboring states, including New York and Pennsylvania. Reports soon emerged across the Northeast and other parts of the country. While investigators determined the reports mainly consisted of authorized drones and misidentified objects, military officials confirmed a concurrent pattern of unauthorized incursions over sensitive defense installations.

Sightings were reported over military installations, such as Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle in New Jersey, as well as civilian infrastructure and residential areas. Prominent reports included drones preventing a medical evacuation, following a Coast Guard vessel, and spraying "gray mist". These specific incidents were found to be commercial aircraft or atmospheric phenomena. Other purported drones were debunked as the constellation Orion or the planet Venus.

Federal investigators examined over 5,000 reports but found no evidence of threats or anomalous activity. A joint statement by the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) concluded most sightings were authorized drones, misidentified manned aircraft, and other routine objects. Independent experts agreed, with some describing the event as a mass panic, comparable to earlier episodes in American history. Others cited factors such as confirmation bias or social contagion as contributing to the wave of reports. DoD officials stated that unauthorized drones regularly flew over military bases and were usually harmless. Despite this, some analysts and officials suspected certain sightings were of foreign surveillance drones due to their appearance and behavior.

Government responses included briefings with elected officials and flight restrictions over sensitive areas in New York and New Jersey. Some authorities called for enhanced counter-drone powers and interagency coordination. Online attention to drone sightings surged, with misleading viral videos and images on social media fueling public confusion. The sightings prompted new legislative efforts and the extension of existing counter-drone powers into 2025.

In January 2025, the Trump administration stated the aircraft were primarily FAA-authorized drones. Later that year, military officials confirmed hundreds of drone incursions over bases during 2024 and announced a new counter-drone rapid reaction force. New legislation was also introduced in Congress to help manage drones and mitigate threats.