Penn Engineering Dean Vijay Kumar discusses the mysterious flying objects, or ‘drones,’ hovering around parts of the East Coast.
For more than a month, residents in New Jersey, parts of Pennsylvania, and New York have spotted unidentified flying objects, which local residents refer to as “drones,” hovering over neighborhoods, critical infrastructure and even restricted sites. To learn more about the mysterious flying objects, Penn Today spoke with local expert Dean Vijay Kumar of the School of Engineering and Applied Science.
(Image: Courtesy of iStock/Naypong)
For more than a month, residents across New Jersey, parts of Pennsylvania, and New York have looked skyward to discover unidentified flying objects—what many have taken to calling “drones”—quietly hovering above their neighborhoods. These mysterious sightings have drawn concern and curiosity, as the drones are sometimes seen lingering near critical infrastructure, restricted areas, and residential communities, prompting local governments and law enforcement agencies to investigate potential security and privacy implications.
Although various explanations have been offered, the true nature and purpose of these hovering contraptions remains unclear, keeping many on edge and authorities on high alert.
To help better understand these inexplicable aerial visitors, Penn Today met with a leading authority on autonomous aerial systems: the Nemirovsky Family Dean of Penn Engineering, Vijay Kumar. With his extensive research in robotics and drones, Kumar shares insights into these technologies.
What do you know about the ‘drones’ so far?
From what I have seen, these drones operate with visible running lights, which suggests they follow rules. If they are above 250 grams in weight, they are likely registered. The pilots are most likely licensed with FAA’s Part 107 license. The fact that the initial sightings, going back to 2020, were near military bases suggests that the military is probably aware and tracking these drones, maybe even responsible for these deployments.
The only thing I might add is that some cities and parks in New Jersey prohibit drone flights without explicit permission. I don’t exactly know where these drones were sighted, but the question of whether these flights are legal or not is up for debate. Even if they are sanctioned by the township or park, it does not allow surveillance-grade cameras to gather data on private citizens.
For everyday citizens, distinguishing a drone from a small aircraft can be tough at night. What visual or acoustic clues might help people identify drones?
Drones produce distinct acoustic signatures, typically high-pitched buzzing or whirring sounds from their propellers. Visually, they may exhibit blinking or steady navigation lights, but advanced drones could use infrared illumination, visible only with specialized equipment. Their movement patterns—sudden stops, turns, and hovering—also distinguish them from traditional aircraft.
People have been describing unidentified anomalous phenomena ranging in size from bicycles to SUVs. Is this realistic with current technology, or could it signal a new class of advanced unmanned aerial systems?
The described range is plausible with current technology. Small drones are well-established, while larger UAVs like delivery drones and tactical military platforms approach the size of small vehicles. None of the reports suggest dramatically new technologies.
Authorities report difficulty in matching visual sightings with electronic detections. What are the key limitations of current radar or sensor systems, and how might we overcome them?
Traditional radar systems struggle to detect small, low-flying drones due to their low radar cross-section and slow speeds. However, modern radars can detect small drones at distances of up to a mile, offering significant monitoring capabilities. Radio frequency (RF) systems monitor the electromagnetic spectrum for signals emitted by drones and their controllers. Cameras and infrared sensors capture visual or heat signatures of drones. Any realistic approach must use data from multiple sensor types to enhance detection accuracy and reliability. Here, deep learning algorithms are emerging as the best approach to solve this problem.
What countermeasures exist to detect, track, and potentially neutralize unauthorized drones operating covertly near sensitive facilities?
Existing countermeasures include technologies to detect, localize and track drones and technologies to neutralize drones, which include RF jamming, directed energy weapons, and drone interception using nets or other physical means. However, most of these measures must adhere to FAA regulations and state/city laws and are difficult to deploy in populated areas.
How can citizens responsibly document and report suspicious aerial activity to provide actionable information for investigators?
Citizens should prioritize documenting what they see, as in size, shape, lights, and movement patterns, and characterizing behaviors like hovering, rapid acceleration, or unusual maneuvers, and operations next to populated areas. Drones exhibit more abrupt, hovering, or erratic movements due to their smaller size and maneuverability, and operate at lower altitudes, in contrast to manned aircraft that usually follow smooth, linear flight paths.
In times of widespread speculation, how can local governments and media strike a balance between informing the public and avoiding unnecessary alarm?
Local governments and media should emphasize verified information and educate the public about common drone activities. Highlighting existing regulations and countermeasures, while discouraging speculation, can prevent unnecessary alarm. Establishing clear channels for reporting aerial sightings and issuing factual updates can build public trust. Most importantly, governments should facilitate innovation by working hand in hand with drone developers. More regulation is not always the answer.
Could advanced swarm capabilities explain some of the observed drone behaviors? If drone swarms are involved, what are some potential implications?
AI-driven swarming allows drones to operate cohesively, adapt to dynamic environments, and execute complex tasks. This poses challenges for public safety and national security, as coordinated swarms could overwhelm traditional defenses or conduct surveillance covertly. Again, bad actors have an advantage, because all you need is a single adversarial drone to home in on a target and the probability of a successful adversarial mission goes up dramatically with the size of a swarm.
Drone swarms, if weaponized, could revolutionize warfare with cost-effective, distributed capabilities. On the civilian side, swarms offer opportunities for coordinated search-and-rescue missions or efficient delivery networks, but require stringent oversight to mitigate misuse. But they are also a threat. Fortunately, it is difficult to build capable swarms with small drones. The size and weight constraints limit their range and autonomy, while larger sizes expand the profile of drones, making them easier to detect.
Some residents have suggested shooting at the drones as a countermeasure. What are the implications of this?
There are at least three problems with shooting at such drones; No. 1 is risk of harm and property damage. Shooting down drones can result in unintended damage to public or private property and pose a serious risk of injury or loss of life to people in the area.
No 2: the legal implications. Damaging drones that are licensed and operating within legal boundaries is against the law, which would expose individuals to potential fines or legal prosecution.
And No. 3: unintended consequences. Targeting small, dark objects like drones in the night sky increases the likelihood of missed shots, stray bullets, or accidents, potentially leading to hazardous outcomes far beyond the intended action. Some drones are used by emergency services—firefighting, search-and-rescue, or law enforcement—so mistakenly shooting down such a drone could interfere with critical operations or cause environmental hazards like wildfires in forests.
Why do you think there is a lot of panic about these flying objects?
Drones evoke science fiction-like scenarios where machines have autonomy, a concept that many find unsettling. They are also linked to military operations, terrorism, or espionage. Drones equipped with cameras and other sensors raise fears about being watched or questions about privacy.
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