An influx of unexplained drone sightings in parts of the United States began to make headlines in November, and although authorities have said there is no evidence that the drones are a threat to national security or public safety, experts explain the mystery behind the uptick in sightings. 

Fox News’ Peter Doocy questioned President Donald Trump about the drones on Monday, asking, “Anything with these drones — is it anything to be worried about?”

“I would like to find out what it is and tell the people. In fact, I’d like to do that,” Trump responded. He then redirected to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. “Could we find out what that was, Susie? Why don’t we find out immediately?”

“I can’t imagine it’s an enemy, or there would have been, you know, people would have gotten blown up, all of them. Maybe they were testing things. I don’t know why. They wouldn’t have said what it was,” Trump said. “They had a lot of them flying over Bedminster, which is interesting,” referring to his club in New Jersey.

Photos taken in the Bay Shore section of Toms River Township, New Jersey, of what appear to be large drones hovering in the area at high altitudes on Sunday, December 8, 2024. The drones seemed to be well above the 400-feet level that FAA regulations allow. (Doug Hood/Asbury Park Press)

As the government, according to President Trump, continues to investigate the first inundation of drone sightings, Austin believes that the public is about to see another major influx of sightings due to a change in the firmware of a major drone manufacturer.  

“There has been a significant development,” Austin said, adding that DJI, a Chinese-based manufacturer for many of the drones registered in the United States, changed its firmware this month to remove its built-in geofencing feature, which blocked flight in restricted areas. 

“If you were flying a DJI drone . . . and you came to an airport . . . the manufacturer had put a kind of an invisible barrier around the border at the airports. Your drone would stop flying. That all ended on Jan. 13. Now it’s up to the individual user or each pilot to be in control,” Austin explained.

“I’m predicting you’re going to see a lot of drone incursions . . . that’s my biggest fear now.”

One expert predicted more drones will be reported in the air. (Jens Büttner/picture alliance via Getty Images)

DJI told Fox News Digital that it “remains committed to promoting safe and responsible flying practices. The recent GEO update aligns with the principle advanced by aviation regulators around the globe – including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – that operators are responsible for complying with rules.”

Drone operators will now see official FAA airspace data on where they can and can’t fly, DJI added, and will receive in-app warnings if they are flying near FAA-designated controlled airspace.

The company also said that it voluntarily implemented geofencing in 2013, and noted that the FAA now has Remote ID requirements that serve as the equivalent of a “license plate” for drones..

The FAA told Fox News Digital that its role is to ensure that drones operate safely within the broader National Airspace System, and that it does not require geofencing from drone manufacturers. 

The agency noted that it is generally legal to fly a drone in most locations, as long as it’s flown under 400 feet, but there are rules — including obtaining property airspace authorization, safety tests, keeping the drone in sight, avoiding all other aircraft, not causing a hazard to any people or property and avoiding restricted airspace.

Fox News’ Ashley Carnahan contributed to this report.