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The original was posted on /r/ufos by /u/Mendenopolis on 2024-12-05 20:36:21+00:00.
While I believe in the existence of more “unusual” phenomena, I think recent events call for a more grounded explanation- one that is both serious and concerning. Could the warning signs and clues have been hiding in plain sight all along? I believe that to be true, and they carry significant national security implications. The recent drone incursions in New Jersey and other regions highlight troubling possibilities, including potential links to advanced cyber strategies. I think it is necessary then, for everyone to understand the significance and implications of ORBs (Operational Relay Box) networks before proceeding.
Note on ORBs: These networks, which route malicious activity through geographically dispersed nodes, are increasingly leveraged by state-sponsored actors to mask their identities. The ORBs system further complicates attribution, as the infrastructure often relies on rented servers and compromised IoT devices, making real-time tracing of potential drone command origins nearly impossible. Could it be that ORBs networks exacerbate these challenges by obfuscating traffic and enabling actors to control drones from virtually untraceable locations?
The Colorado/ Nebraska Drone Incursions:
These events are not unprecedented. In 2020, Colorado and Nebraska experienced drone incursions that prompted FBI investigations. These incidents highlighted the challenges of tracing the origins of such activities. Despite extensive efforts, the investigations yielded no definitive conclusions about the operators or their intentions. At least, not "publicly." I provided just a few clips and articles from that time, so please feel free to search for even more. You'll notice that these are eerily similar to what is going on now.
- CBS Mornings Clip:
- CBS Evening News Clip:
- Drone Task Force Clip:
- Drone Task Force Search Clip:
- Drones Causing Issues For Local Airports Clip:
- Drone Formations In Small Town Colorado Clip:
- Colorado Mystery Drones:
- THE FBI INVESTIGATED DRONES THAT SWARMED TOWNS IN THE MIDWEST:
The National Security Warnings:
For years, Congress and defense experts have sounded alarms about vulnerabilities in the U.S. drone ecosystem. Reports have consistently highlighted risks tied to foreign-manufactured components, particularly those originating from China, and the growing threat of malware attacks capable of turning commercial drones into coordinated, hostile swarms. These warnings point to a larger issue: the exploitation of supply chain weaknesses and the lack of robust cybersecurity measures in the rapidly expanding drone industry. Have we underestimated the potential consequences of these vulnerabilities, and are we adequately prepared to counter the threats they pose to national security?
Read About Representative Johnson’s Request For Briefing Here: http://dustyjohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-requests-briefing-chinese-drones
“Shenzhen DJI Innovation Technology Co., Ltd. (DJI) is a Chinese Military Company, linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), that makes thousands of drones, many of which are used in the United States. These drones operate on Chinese military software, firmware, and hardware, posing a significant risk to American agriculture and safety.”
Countering The Drones of War In The United States: https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2024/july/countering-drones-war-united-states
“A combination of plausible deniability and legal protection is equally applicable to sUAS operations in the United States. Under 18 U.S.C. § 32 and 49 U.S.C. § 46502, destruction or disruption of a civil aircraft—including an sUAS—is a federal crime. The authority to disable or destroy sUASs in the U.S. National Airspace System is granted—with significant restrictions—to very few federal entities. The Department of Defense (DoD) exercises its authority to do so primarily in accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 130(i), which allows sUASs to be prosecuted if they threaten the “safety, security, or protection of [military] personnel, facilities, or assets.” Under these rules, U.S. military facilities in the homeland generally must determine hostile intent or actual violation of prohibited airspace to engage sUAS targets.”
House Committee On Homeland Security’s China Threat Snapshot: https://homeland.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/CCP-Threat-Snapshot.pdf
“June 20x 2024: CHS and the Committee on Energy and Commerce urged the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Energy to declassify information relating to potential national risks posed by drones that have been manufactured in the People’s Republic of China (PRC).”
DoD Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Strategy: https://media.defense.gov/2021/Jan/07/2002561080/-1/-1/0/DEPARTMENT-OF-DEFENSE-COUNTER-SMALL-UNMANNED-AIRCRAFT-SYSTEMS-STRATEGY.pdf
Note: Page 12/38 discusses "Three Operating Environments: Homeland, Host Nation, and Contingency Locations." I focused particularly on the "Homeland" section, given its relevance to domestic operations and security considerations.
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency- Cybersecurity Guidance: Chinese-Manufactured UAS: https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/cybersecurity-guidance-chinese-manufactured-uas
“Chinese-Manufactured UAS is a Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) resource that raises awareness on the threats posed by Chinese-manufactured UAS and provides UAS cybersecurity recommendations that reduce risks to networks and sensitive information. This guidance also provides additional resources to augment an organization’s preparedness, response, and resilience.”
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency- Release Cybersecurity Guidance on Chinese-Manufactured UAS for Critical Infrastructure Owners and Operators: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/news/release-cybersecurity-guidance-chinese-manufactured-uas-critical-infrastructure-owners-and-operators
“With our FBI partners, CISA continues to call urgent attention to China’s aggressive cyber operations to steal intellectual property and sensitive data from organizations. We encourage any organization procuring and operating UAS to review the guidance and take action to mitigate risk. We must work together to ensure the security and resilience of our critical infrastructure."
Data Security Flaws Found In China-Owned DJI Drones: https://cybernews.com/news/data-security-flaws-dji-drones/
“However, the researchers have analyzed the drone attack surface and, after adding a bit of reverse engineering, showed that the data transmitted to and from the drone was not encrypted. This means it was accessible to anyone, thus compromising the drone operator’s privacy. More critical flaws were uncovered in drone firmware that allowed attackers to “gain elevated privileges on two different DJI drones and their remote control” and abuse the devices.”
China-Linked Hackers Target Drone Makers: https://www.securityweek.com/china-linked-hackers-target-drone-makers-in-taiwan/?utm%5C_source=chatgpt.com
“A threat actor linked to China has been targeting military-related and satellite industries in Taiwan, Trend Micro reports. Tracked as Tidrone, the threat actor has been observed mainly targeting drone manufacturers. The group has relied on enterprise resource planning (ERP) software and remote desktop access to deploy sophisticated malware to disable system protections and steal information.”
As Chinese Drones Dominate Police Use, Security Experts Urge Caution: [https://www.police1.com/drones/as-chinese-drones-dominate-in-police-use-security-experts-urge-caution](https://www.police1.com/drones/as-chinese-drones-dominate-i...
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