What are the mysterious SUV-size drones spotted flying over New Jersey? All the theories explained

Residents and officials from multiple US states are demanding answers about mysterious drone sightings that have been blamed on everything from foreign governments to alien UFOs.

Numerous 'SUV-sized' craft first appeared in New Jersey in mid-November, and have since spread to New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.

Drone sightings have also been reported in states such as Texas, Oklahoma and California as well as foreign countries such as Germany. But it's unclear whether these reports are related to the activity plaguing the Northeast. 

In New Jersey, the drones sometimes appear in groups and often remain in the same place for hours at a time, according to eyewitnesses.

Rescue workers responded to a 911 call saying a craft went down in a nearby field outside of a Lowe's in Hillsborough, but an overnight search found no evidence of the crash landing. 

The first sightings were over the US Army's Picatinny Arsenal and President-elect Donald Trump's golf course in Bedminster, which raised concerns the drones are part of spy campaign.

That appeared to be corroborated this week by NJ congressman Jeff Van Drew who claimed the drones were coming from an 'Iranian mothership' off the east coast.

However, reports of varying levels of credibility have now spread to at least 12 counties throughout Garden State and the Pentagon has said there is 'no evidence' to back up Van Drew's claims.

Two intelligence experts told DailyMail.com that the descriptions of the craft by eyewitnesses 'sound exactly like Russian Orlan-10 drones' — secretive craft that fly in packs of three to five.

To add further confusion, the White House has told the public that there is no evidence the sightings are drones at all, saying they appear to be simply 'manned aircraft' being operated lawfully.

Here are all the main theories about what's going on in New Jersey: 

Iranian 'mothership'

Van Drew said Wednesday that Iran launched the vessel 'probably about a month ago' after making a deal with China 'to purchase drones, a mothership and other technologies.'

'These drones should be shot down,' he told FOX News, adding that 'the military is on full alert with this.' 

He accused the Pentagon of being 'incredibly stupid and incredibly weak' when it comes to addressing the drones.

'I had credible individuals who have high-security ratings, and they came to me and again, these are dependable, credible individuals that have security clearance that felt they wanted to clear the air,' Van Drew told Fox News on Thursday.

'They were in essence whistleblowers and said look, they believe there's a real possibility it could be Iran,' the lawmaker insisted.

'There could be a ship out. Not right on the coast of New Jersey, not right there, but these drones as sighted by the coast guard are coming in and out of the ocean,' he continued.

Russia has infiltrated US airspace

Intelligence analysts have revealed why they believe Russia is behind the mysterious drones invading the skies over New Jersey.

US Army general Darryl Williams described a situation that mirrors what has unfolded at American/NATO bases across Europe that are known to supply arms to Ukraine.

And retired police lieutenant and intelligence analyst Tim McMillan told DailyMail.com that the descriptions of the UFOs in Jersey 'sound exactly like Russian Orlan-10 drones' — secretive craft that fly in packs of three to five.

Lt McMillan and other experts have noted that the New Jersey sightings circled around Picatinny Arsenal, home of the US Army's CCDC Armaments Center, which is responsible for manufacturing and supplying Ukraine with artillery ammunition.

These experts suggest that Russia could be carrying out an intelligence-gathering mission known as 'ferreting', meant to intentionally trigger and test their foreign rival's airspace defense procedures and response time.

Or Russia could simply be spying on allies of Ukraine who are aiding the fight against Russia's occupation of its southeastern regions, including Donetsk and Mariupol.

American conducting secret operations

A 'swarming drone' expert told APP.com that the drones are the work of the US military.

'If I were to list all the options of who this could be, the very first obvious thing is it has something to do with the military, the U.S. military,' said Pramod Abichandani.

Michael Pellettiere of Lanoka Harbor told DailyMail.com: 'It could be a government contractor, then they would tell the truth, or they are straight up lying. 

'I trust the Pentagon less than I trust Mexican tap water.'

He continued to explain that the lack of answers from the government is very frustrating.

'If it's secret testing or something, just tell us it's testing. If it's a threat let us know it's security. We don't need all the details if would mess up what's going on , but let the people know something,' Pellettiere added.

US government experiment

Several experts have suggested that these drones are not from a foreign entity, but rather our own government.

They believe the unidentified aircraft could be part of a top-secret military program to test new technology.

'My first guess is these are potentially government programs kept within what’s known as a ‘Special Access Program,’ which is purposely put together to keep even the most cleared people out — it truly is to keep it secret,' Clint Emerson, a retired Navy SEAL and owner of security company Escape the Wolf, told the New York Post.

But drone experts are skeptical of that theory.

'I find it hard to believe,' Brett Velicovich, Fox News contributor and CEO of Expert Drones, told the news site.

'Maybe it started that way, and now people think everything they see is a drone... I’ve seen a lot of images that look like planes.'

But, 'Until something is found, it’s really difficult to say,' he said. 'We haven’t seen any clear images.'

He added that when he worked on classified drone projects, the protocol was always to inform local police, and drone testing is rarely done in densely populated areas.

'There's a reason why we test stuff in Area 51 or all these remote locations, so that you don't have to cause public hysteria,' he said.

'And then when we would test stuff in cities, we would always, whenever we do secret exercises in cities, we would always inform the local police.'

Stacie Pettyjohn, drone expert with the Center for New American Security, agreed.

They would be doing it on a military base or a testing facility. And you know, they're not overflying sort of sensitive industrial locations, like they have been in New Jersey,' she said.

Alien invasion

While no answers have come from the government, many New Jersey residents have been left to think aliens are invading the skies.

Katelin Lee told DailyMail.com: '[It's aliens. I mean, what else could it be? People are seeing orbs there's plenty of video evidence.'

Resident Ken Ahitya agreed, saying: 'I think there were real sightings of Non-Human Intelligence that happened at the end of November.

'The government most likely already knew about this, so to prevent mass hysteria and panic, they released drones up in the air to confuse the masses.'

Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Sing said in a briefing: 'At this time we have no evidence that these activities are coming from a foreign entity or the work of an adversary.' 

Rep Chris Smith (R) also spoke during a congressional meeting Tuesday, revealing a report of 50 drones coming in off the ocean and following US Coast Guard boats.

The representative also noted that 'it could be Putin, Xi Jinping in China or the Middle East, we cannot rule any of that out.'

Then one day later, Republican Rep Jeff Van Drew made a wild claim that an Iranian 'mothership' was behind the drone invasion, saying it was parked offshore.

He said Iran launched the vessel 'probably about a month ago' after making a deal with China 'to purchase drones, a mothership and other technologies.'

'These drones should be shot down,' he told FOX News, adding that 'the military is on full alert with this.'

However, the Pentagon rushed to claim there is no evidence the drones are the work of an adversary and denied there's an Iranian 'mothership' lurking off the coast.

Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Sing said in a briefing: 'At this time we have no evidence that these activities are coming from a foreign entity or the work of an adversary.'

The first video footage showed drones with green and red lights on their wings and multiple eyewitnesses described them as large as a small car.

Drones have since been reported in 12 counties: Sussex, Passaic, Bergen, Essex, Monmouth, Ocean, Camden, Burlington, Somerset, Hunterdon, Morris and Warren. 

Mayors in 21 towns across the state have now written a joint letter to New Jersey Gov Phil Murphy calling for statewide action. 

During a Tuesday congressional hearing, Robert Wheeler, assistant FBI director, said: 'There is nothing known that would lead me to say that, but we just don't know and that's the concerning part.

He told Congress that more than 3,000 sightings had been provided to the agency's tip line set up last week.

They have been spotted over water reservoirs, electric transmission lines, rail stations, police departments and other military installations. 

The drones' talent for evading their federal and local law enforcement pursuers has frustrated Governor Phil Murphy and government investigators alike.  

'We're not getting good characteristics of the drone,' the head of the Ocean County, NJ Sheriffs Office drone unit, Sergeant Kevin Fennessy said.

And, in fact, New Jersey officials and residents have also seen drones that do not resemble fixed-wing aircraft deepening the mystery of the craft's origins and intent.

'We had one the other night that, as we're watching it, it just shuts the lights off and it's gone,' Sgt Fennessy told The New York Times, 'pure darkness.'

During the hearing, Sen Jon Bramnick (R) said: 'The State of New Jersey should issue a limited state of emergency banning all drones until the public receives an explanation regarding these multiple sightings.' 

Rep Chris Smith (R) also spoke during the meeting, revealing a report of 50 drones coming in off the ocean and have followed US Coast Guard boats.

The representative also noted that 'it could be Putin, Xi Jinping in China or the Middle East, we cannot rule any of that out.'

Republican Rep Jeff Van Drew said Wednesday that Iran launched the vessel 'probably about a month ago' after making a deal with China 'to purchase drones, a mothership and other technologies.' 

'These drones should be shot down,' he told FOX News, adding that 'the military is on full alert with this.' 

However, the Pentagon rushed to claim there is no evidence the drones are the work of an adversary and denied there's an Iranian 'mothership' lurking off the coast.

Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Sing said in a briefing: 'At this time we have no evidence that these activities are coming from a foreign entity or the work of an adversary.'

Intelligence analysis who spoke with DailyMail.com have a different theory. 

They believe Russia could be behind the strange activity, despite the Pentagon's statement.

US Army general Darryl Williams described a situation that mirrors what has unfolded at American/NATO bases across Europe that are known to supply arms to Ukraine.

And retired police lieutenant and intelligence analyst Tim McMillan told DailyMail.com that the descriptions of the UFOs in Jersey 'sound exactly like Russian Orlan-10 drones' -  secretive craft that fly in packs of three to five.

Lt McMillan and other experts have noted that the New Jersey sightings circled around Picatinny Arsenal, home of the US Army's CCDC Armaments Center, which is responsible for manufacturing and supplying Ukraine with artillery ammunition.

These experts suggest that Russia could be carrying out an intelligence-gathering mission known as 'ferreting', meant to intentionally trigger and test their foreign rival's airspace defense procedures and response time. 

Russia could simply be spying on allies of Ukraine who are aiding the fight against its occupation of the nation's southeastern regions, including Donetsk and Mariupol.

While experts could not rule out Congressman Van Drew's theory that Iran was behind the attacks, White House officials have long noted that Russia and Iran collaborate on military drone development.

'Russia has been very aggressive and reckless with its responses to Western support of Ukraine,' Lt McMillan told DailyMail.com. 'This isn't something I see discussed in US media, but it's well documented and openly discussed here in Europe.'

The experts said the New Jersey sightings resemble the description of Russian drones known as 'Orlan-10.'

The Orlan-10 craft comes with 'standard positional lighting' - a red light on the left (port) wingtip, a green light on the right (starboard) wingtip, and white taillights, similar to the lights seen on ordinary aircraft and Jersey's 'mystery drones.' 

What's more, the Russian craft fly in packs for three to five, similar to what has been reported in New Jersey. 

 Packs of Orlan-10s, Lt McMillan noted, often come 'with each one running a different package like EW [electronic warfare] and data relays.' 

The comment matches some reports in New Jersey, where one family in Morris County reported a drone that interfered with their car's dashboard clock.

On Tuesday, Congress asked an FBI assistant director with the bureau's Critical Incident Response Group, Robert Wheeler, if these drones posed a threat to public safety.

'There is nothing that is known that would lead me to say that,' Wheeler told Congress, 'but we just don't know. And that's the concerning part.'

The Biden administration has also pushed back on claims by Republican lawmakers that the drones are being operated by any one of America's foreign adversaries — including claims that the flights originate from an Iranian 'mothership' offshore.

'No indication at this time that it's a foreign adversary or a foreign actor,' The White House's national security communications advisor John Kirby told NewsNation's Kellie Meyer. 'The FBI is looking at this. DOJ is looking at this.'

'I know the Department of Defense, when it affects or comes near a military base, they're looking at this,' Kirby added. 'In some cases, the investigation has led to a revelation that it's actually manned aircraft and not drones at all.'

Governor Murphey has also claimed that the drones 'pose no threat.'  

Despite federal and state officials' assurances, other local police, like the chief of police for the New Jersey borough of Florham Park, are convinced that the drones pose a serious threat.

'Their presence appears nefarious in nature,' Police Chief Orlando said.