Here are the post-9/11 rules on how government fights airspace intruders

Since November, unidentified flying objects have been spotted flying above New Jersey. Some of these objects have been described by residents as oversized drones, the size of a car and even small airplanes.

It remains unknown who might be operating them or why. But it appears that they are not authorized to be in our sky.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has acknowledged their presence, and so have federal agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration, which has set flight restrictions over the Picatinny Arsenal and President-elect Donald Trump’s golf club in Bedminster.

Rep. Smith: 50 drones came in from ocean; At least a dozen trailed Coast Guard ship

This year, before the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show, the New York Police Department told the Washington Examiner that, conjointly with the FBI, they were ready to take down any unauthorized drone that would be flying without going through the permitting process.

That hasn’t been the rhetoric from officials this time, even though these flying objects have been reported in Staten Island and in areas of New Jersey where air flights are restricted due to their proximity to New York City — one of the most heavily controlled and restricted airspaces in the world.

And lawmakers are asking for action. “The people of New Jersey deserve swift and bold action on the part of our state and federal agencies to investigate, assess and address the situation immediately and to alleviate the growing concerns of our community,” U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., said in a news release Monday.

After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, airspace policy tightened. The federal government established strict protocols. Here’s what our national security policies say:

Mystery drones at the Jersey Shore: Ocean County sheriff on hunt for mystery drones; Monmouth releases drone map

Who protects and surveils our airspace?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the U.S. Air Force work together to track and identify any aircraft or objects in U.S. airspace, especially around highly sensitive areas.

What parts of New Jersey are covered by New York City’s Special Flight Rules Area?

Soon after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the U.S. government established two Special Flight Rules Areas, also classified as Air Defense Identification Zones. One of them protects Washington, D.C., and the other protects New York City.

New York City’s Air Defense Identification Zone covers the city and a radius of 30 nautical miles around it. That radius cover all or a considerable portion of the following New Jersey counties: Monmouth, Middlesex, Somerset, Union, Essex, Hudson, Bergen, Passaic and Morris.

MORE: Mystery drones sighted in Monmouth, Ocean counties

By law, all aircraft in these zones must be identified, maintain radio communication with local Air Traffic Control be and authorized by the FAA and any other corresponding agency, according to the National Air Transportation Association.

What is supposed to happen when an unidentified, unauthorized aircraft enters our airspace?

As laid out by the federal Security Control of Air Traffic regulations, an unauthorized, unidentified aircraft should be intercepted.

• FAA and NORAD coordination: If an unauthorized or unidentified flying object were detected in our airspace, NORAD would be alerted immediately. NORAD has the capability to deploy fighter jets from nearby bases, such as the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in Burlington County, to intercept and evaluate the situation.

• Fighter jet intercept: In the event of an unidentified aircraft, fighter jets would likely be dispatched to visually identify the object. The jets would attempt to make contact through radio communication or visual signals, such as flashing lights or directing the aircraft to land. If the object does not respond or follow instructions to divert or land, the situation could escalate.

• Escalating threat: Performing evasive maneuvers, showing indication of being weaponized or simply refusing to identify itself is enough to classify an aircraft or object as a potential threat. In such a case, regulations call for interception, which could include firing warning shots or, in extreme circumstances, shooting down the object. However, such measures would only be taken after evaluating the risks posed to civilians on the ground.

Spotted a drone or observed unusual activity? Here’s what to do

The FBI is asking anyone with relevant information to call the agency at 800-CALL-FBI or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ drones: Federal rules on confronting unidentified flying objects