In our coverage of these incidents, we found increasingly clear evidence that the objects were drones. Numerous ship deck logs from the earliest incidents referred to the objects as UAS, UAV, or plainly as drones.
We later learned through the Freedom of Information Act that briefing slides from the USS Paul Hamilton were created shortly after one of the incidents. Those slides again referred to the objects as UAS, UAV and as a “UAS Swarm.”
Investigators, who were in a position to have a first-hand description of the objects, questioned civilians believed to be in possession of drones and in proximity to the ships at the time of the incident.
In parallel, investigators also sought to deconflict with the Navy’s own drone operations in the area. Flight logs shared with the investigators appeared to rule out a case of mistaken identity with Navy assets.
Drone incidents continued to occur even after the launch of the Navy’s initial investigation. Deck logs again referred to the objects as drones and indicated that radiofrequency signals had been detected from them.