2024 drone sightings

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In late 2024, a series of unauthorized drone incursions were reported near military installations in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, raising security concerns among defense officials. The incidents involved unidentified drones operating over or near sensitive sites, including US Air Force bases and defense-related industrial facilities. Military and law enforcement agencies in multiple countries launched investigations, deploying counter-drone measures and increasing security in response.

## Europe

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### United Kingdom

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Between 20 and 26 November 2024,[1] a series of unauthorized drone activities was reported over and near four US Air Force bases in the United Kingdom: RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Feltwell, and RAF Fairford.[2][3] These installations, located in Suffolk, Norfolk, and Gloucestershire, are critical to US military operations in Europe.[4] The drone activity persisted for several days, raising concerns about the coordination and intent behind the incursions.[5] Residents of Beck Row, Suffolk, located next to an RAF base, also reported drone sightings.[6][7][8][9][10] About sixty British combat troops were deployed to help to defend US bases against drones. [11]

#### Incidents

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During the incursions, multiple small unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) were observed entering restricted airspace.[3] The drones varied in both number and type.[12]

The incursions prompted joint monitoring and countermeasures by US and UK military personnel.[13] British troops were deployed to assist in tracking and identifying the drone operators, using counter-drone systems such as ORCUS.[11] The incursions also led to disruptions in flight operations, with F-15E Strike Eagles scrambled from RAF Lakenheath to investigate.[14]

Authorities encountered difficulties in identifying the drone operators, raising concerns about potential espionage or hostile surveillance.[13] The incursions heightened worries about the security of critical military infrastructure. Investigations are ongoing, and both the operators and their intentions remain unknown.[8][15]

According to The New York Times, military analysts have concluded that the reported drones may have been on a surveillance mission for a state actor.[16]

#### Air bases affected

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All four bases are considered highly strategic and sensitive.[8] RAF Mildenhall supports refuelling and special operations, while RAF Feltwell provides logistical support for US forces.[8]

RAF Lakenheath hosts the US Air Force's 48th Fighter Wing, operating F-15E Strike Eagles and F-35A Lightning II aircraft.[8] RAF Lakenheath is also slated to house American nuclear weapons, adding to the sensitivity of the incursions.[4]

RAF Fairford hosts a Lockheed U-2S Dragon Lady detachment from the 99th Reconnaissance Squadron and is the US Air Force's only European airfield for heavy bombers. It routinely supports Bomber Task Force (BTF) operations.[17]

### Germany

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In August 2024, there were some reports of unidentified drones around US bases; at the time this was not the major news item that it later became in December 2024. One drone was reported to have traveled at 100 miles per hour. Various German officials began investigations.[18] German news outlets reported some drone sightings over a chemical park in Brunsbuettel.[19] One NATO air base raised its alert level due to drones.[20][18]

In summer 2024, the prosecutor's office in Flensburg began investigating possible threats of espionage due to concerns about drones.[21] German authorities began an official investigation into overflights by unknown drones, at sensitive sites.[22]

The US military confirmed increased sightings around bases in Germany in December 2024. This included Ramstein Air Base.[23][24] These sightings were reported in the newsmagazine Der Spiegel, as well as various US and UK news publications.[25][26] Sightings were also reported around industrial facilities owned by Rheinmetall, a manufacturer of various weapons.[27] This was discussed at an official conference by interior ministers from German states.[21]

## North America

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### United States

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Main article: 2024 United States drone sightings

In March 2024, some news outlets reported significant sightings of unidentified drones over Langley Air Force Base, a highly important base in Virginia. this was well before the major wave of sightings in December 2024 which caused major news headlines and coverage. This wave of sightings resulted in major response by US government aircraft, including a NASA aircraft.[28]

In August 2024, a wave of drone sightings over Plant 42, a US Air Force facility in Palmdale, California, caused a major wave of concern. The US Air Force officially confirmed these reports, in replies to journalists' inquiries. In response, the FAA imposed new restrictions in the airspace over that facility.[29]

In December, numerous reports indicated thousands of possible drone sightings in the USA. The FBI is leading an interagency investigation that includes the Department of Homeland Security and various state police agencies.[30][31]

In mid-December, a Chinese national was arrested by federal officials for flying a drone over Vandenberg Air Force Base in California in late November 2024.[32][33][34]

## Possible causes

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### China

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Some US legislators have speculated that China was responsible for the drone activity. [35]

### Russia

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An investigation into the UK drone incursions by The i Paper concluded suspected Russian links. The investigation was based on Open-source intelligence linking suspected GRU (Russian Federation) affiliated operatives working under cover as seasonal fruit pickers in the vicinity of the UK military installations.[36]

## See also

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* 2019–20 Colorado drone sightings
* Unidentified Anomalous Phenomenon/Unidentified Flying Object
* All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office
* List of unmanned aerial vehicle-related incidents

## References

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1. ^ Charpentreau, Clément (27 November 2024). "US tightens security at UK bases after drone sightings". www.aerotime.aero. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
2. ^ Grierson, Jamie (23 November 2024). "Unidentified drones spotted over three UK airbases, US air force confirms". The Guardian.
3. ^ a b "US airbase drone operators will be prosecuted, says government". www.bbc.com.
4. ^ a b Doyle, Liam (23 November 2024). "'Unidentified drones' caught flying over RAF base where US wants to keep nukes". The Mirror.
5. ^ "Drone incursions over USAF bases in England continue". Yahoo News. 25 November 2024.
6. ^ Are mystery drones above US bases in England something sinister? by Matt Precey, 29 November 2024 BBC.
7. ^ Mystery Drones Spotted Over U.S. Air Bases in Britain, Nov 27, 2024, NY Times.
8. ^ a b c d e "Mystery drones seen over three US air bases in East Anglia". www.bbc.com.
9. ^ Drones spotted near 4 bases used by US Air Force in England By Danica Kirka, The Associated Press, via website for Air Force Times.
10. ^ Unidentified drones spotted over three US Air Force bases in Britain, By Rob Picheta and Natasha Bertrand, CNN November 24, 2024.
11. ^ a b "British forces deployed after drones spotted again over three US air bases in UK". Sky News.
12. ^ Sheridan, Danielle; McArdle, Tom (26 November 2024). "British troops deployed to protect US air bases in UK from drone attacks". The Telegraph.
13. ^ a b Vincent, Brandi (26 November 2024). "US, UK jointly tracking mysterious drone incursions near England military bases". DefenseScoop.
14. ^ "Unauthorised drones continue to plague U.S. Air Force bases in the UK". The Aviationist. 27 November 2024.
15. ^ "Why are drones flying near US airbases in Suffolk and Norfolk?". www.bbc.com.
16. ^ Jakes, Lara (Jan 4, 2025). "Drones, Exploding Parcels and Sabotage: How Hybrid Tactics Target the West". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
17. ^ "BOMBER TASK FORCE EUROPE: STRATEGIC BOMBERS SOAR THROUGH NATO'S EASTERN FLANK, COMPLETE SUCCESSFUL 2-MONTH ROTATION". Allied Air Command. 18 April 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
18. ^ a b Drone sightings near bases, infrastructure unnerve German officials, By Linus Höller, Thursday, Aug 29, 2024, Defensenews.
19. ^ German NATO air base lowers security level after ‘potential threat’ By AP Staff Friday, Aug 23, 2024, posted at Defensenews website.
20. ^ Alert at NATO base in Germany was due to drone threat, source says, By Reuters, August 26, 2024.
21. ^ a b Drones in the sky: Germany probes alleged espionage flights over Ramstein base. In recent weeks, drones have been spotted over key facilities in Germany, including the Ramstein military base. The site Spiegel.de reports that German security services are investigating these incidents as potential espionage activities. The American military has confirmed these incidents., by Bartłomiej Chudy, 14 December 2024, Daily Wrap
22. ^ Germany concerned about Russian drone overflights of sensitive civilian and military sites An investigation was opened on Friday for 'suspicion of agent activity for sabotage purposes.'By Cécile Boutelet (Berlin (Germany) correspondent), August 24, 2024, Le Monde.
23. ^ Ramstein Air Base confirms unauthorized drone activity earlier this month, By JENNIFER H. SVAN, STARS AND STRIPES, December 16, 2024.
24. ^ More Small Drones: Air Force Bases in Ohio, Utah, Germany All Report Sightings Dec. 17, 2024 | By Greg Hadley, Air and Space Forces Magazine.
25. ^ U.S. military confirms drone sightings at air base in Germany, By Andreas Rinke and Rachel More, December 13, 2024, Reuters.
26. ^ Unidentified drones spotted over US air base in Germany, report says Guardian, Dec 13, 2024.
27. ^ Unidentified drones seen over US military base, industrial site in Germany, France24, Dec 13, 2024.
28. ^ Trevithick, Joseph; Rogoway, Tyler (March 15, 2024). "Mysterious Drones Swarmed Langley AFB For Weeks". The War Zone.
29. ^ Trevithick, Joseph; Altman, Howard (August 19, 2024). "Palmdale UFO Scare Leads To Revelations About Mystery Drone Incursions Over Secretive Plant 42". The War Zone.
30. ^ Nicholls, Flynn (2024-12-10). "FBI Issues Statement as Mystery Drone Sightings Reach New York". Newsweek. Archived from the original on December 10, 2024. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
31. ^ Pastis, Stephen (2024-12-14). "Mystery Drones Over New Jersey And Nearby States: Trump Weighs In As More Sightings Reported (Updating)". Forbes. Archived from the original on December 14, 2024. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
32. ^ Northern California Man Arrested for Allegedly Flying Drone Over and Photographing Vandenberg Space Force Base, Wednesday, December 11, 2024, US JUstice Dept official website.
33. ^ Chinese national arrested after ‘drone flown over US air base' Aircraft said to have taken photographs on same day SpaceX rocket launched with ‘sensitive payload’, Tony Diver, 10 December 2024.
34. ^ Here's what happened in 5 places that had ‘mystery’ drone sightings before N.J. Updated: Dec. 18, 2024, By Tina Kelley | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
35. ^ Is China Behind Mystery Drones? What We Know, Dec 18, 2024 Newsweek.
36. ^ https://inews.co.uk/news/russian-links-drone-sightings-uk-air-base-3542584