Topics
modish
AI
Amazon
Image Credits:Pentagon briefing via AP on YouTube(opens in a new window)
Apps
Biotech & Health
Climate
Image Credits:Pentagon briefing via AP on YouTube(opens in a new window)
Cloud Computing
mercantilism
Crypto
go-ahead
EVs
Fintech
Fundraising
Gadgets
game
Government & Policy
Hardware
Layoffs
Media & Entertainment
Meta
Microsoft
Privacy
Robotics
Security
Social
Space
Startups
TikTok
transit
Venture
More from TechCrunch
Events
Startup Battlefield
StrictlyVC
newssheet
Podcasts
Videos
Partner Content
TechCrunch Brand Studio
Crunchboard
Contact Us
The FBItold lawmakersduring Tuesday ’s hearing that it ’s work with state and local authorities to investigate the position and had have Frederick North of 3,000reportsof sighting from the world . However , it did n’t yet know who was responsible . Of observe , a aged FBI official revealed that the organization ’s budget for buffet - drone activity was only around $ 500,000 .
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration had banned drone flights in part of New Jersey back in November , as a result of drones flying over the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster and the Picatinny Arsenal military research and fabrication readiness in Morris County , according to press reports at the clip .
Pentagon press secretaire Sabrina Singh shared more about the drones in a briefing on Wednesday , where she explained that the drones were not likely from a foreign resister .
“ At this time , we have no evidence that these activities are amount from a foreign adversary . We ’re depart to persist in to monitor what is bump but at no decimal point were our installations threaten when this activity was occur , ” she said .
When asked if she could rule out whether these were American bourdon , she responded , “ These are not U.S. military drone . ” She again reiterated that the initial assessment indicate the drones are not fare from a alien entity or opponent . Singh also shot down a possibility raised by Rep. Jefferson Van Drew ( R - NJ ) who lay claim the drones were being launched by an Iranian “ mothership ” off the coast of the U.S.
“ There is not any truth to that . There is no Iranian ship off the glide of the United States and there ’s no so - call ‘ mothership ’ plunge monotone towards the United States , ” Singh said .
Join us at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
What the hearing did n’t disclose is who is behind the drone , which haveworried local occupant and even preventeda medevac helicopter from being able to takean injured car crash victimto a NJ region infirmary .
In addition to concerns over foreign threat , theories about what the radio-controlled aircraft are have ranged from them being a part of asecret military programthat ’s known to few , toUAPs(UFOs ) . The Pentagon now has to regularly investigate the latter , specially as the consumer and commercial purpose of drone has increase .
The probe may also reveal that some of the reported sightings could be bourdon or “ small plane , ” Singh say .
