The mystery of who is flying unidentified drones over US Airforce bases in the UK has entered its second week.
The drones were first spotted on 20 November and have been tracked by US and British forces ever since.
So far four bases where the US Air Force (USAF) operates have been targeted, but who is flying the devices over the heavily secured sites – or why – is not yet known.
What we know
Drones were first seen flying over RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk and RAF Feltwell in Norfolk several times between 20 November and 22 November. The activity was reported by USAF on 23 November.
Since then they have been seen several more times over the sites with another location, RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, also being targeted in recent days. All are sites used by USAF.
A drone also came within 250 metres of the Royal Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier on 22 November.
USAF said the number of sightings “fluctuated and varied between the bases” but the drones have not been identified as hostile.
It is understood 60 British troops have been deployed to the area to help investigate the incidents.
A criminal probe has been opened into the incursions and anyone found guilty of being behind the drones faces up to 14 years in jail under national security laws.
The investigation is being led by the Ministry of Defence Police in conjunction with the USAF and civilian authorities.
A spokesperson for USAF said: “Our units continue to monitor the airspace and are working with host-nation authorities and mission partners to ensure the safety of base personnel, facilities and assets.
“We do not discuss specific force protection measures, however, we retain the right to protect our installations.”
What we don’t know
Firstly, we do not know anything about who is operating the drones, if the activity is being coordinated between the sites or if it is multiple independent operators.
We do not know what type of drones they are or what their uses could be, nor do we know what the motives behind the operators are.
The USAF has only called them “small unmanned aerial systems” while defence minister Lord Coaker described the drone that flew near the HMS Queen Elizabeth as “civilian”.
We also do not know how much the British or US forces know about the drones or if they have begun to suspect who is behind the activity, but we do know they are not considered a threat.
Finally, we do not know if the US or UK militaries plan to shoot down or use any kind of response to any more drone sightings.
