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A Cheap Stunt Dazzles America

Lights in the sky

By Scott Christenson🌴Published about a year ago Updated about a year ago 3 min read
Screenshot - Google News

Politicians, police, and Homeland Security officers are out chasing drones in New Jersey and elsewhere to stamp out the dire threat of mysterious drones in the nighttime sky!

Reports say the drones spotted above New Jersey are big, loud, and hover over neighborhoods and around military bases.

They are also adorned with flashing green and red Christmas lights.

WLtoys website

Lights that look much like the WLtoys Q353 pictured above.

For $69.95, the Q353 is only the size of a dinner plate and will stay in the air for 6–7 minutes.

The thing that really stands out in New Jersey is that the drones are large, loud, and stay in the air for hours

Which points toward gas powered engines instead of batteries.

JOUAV, a manufacturer of retail and commercial drones, say their gas-powered drones can stay in the air for up to 10 hours at a time:

JOUAV.com

The company Gaotek also sells gasoline powered drones with a long endurance span.

With these gas powered drones buzzing up and down the East Coast, Republican minded types are predictably tweeting about the “threat to our national security”.

This is what “Insurrection Barbie” has to say:

I hate to break it to these people, but modern armies don't put flashing Christmas lights on their military aircraft.

Imagine what the B2 stealth bomber would look like:

B2 stealth bomber with lighting upgrade

I know for right-wingers, it would be a great feeling at Christmas, to know they had wisely stocked up on all those AR-7 assault rifles to fight off the coming Russian, Iranian, and/or Chinese invasion in the New Year, but that is not to be.

So, who is the perpetrator of the menacing green and red flashing lights in the sky?

Only time will tell, but with gas-powered drones selling for $3,000 and up, over-educated rich kids seem to be trending.

Bluesky

Over on Bluesky, some people have been keeping their sense of humor amidst the onslaught of flashing lights in the sky:

The End (Literally)

That's all on this news item from me today.

For those people who just need to feel the world is under threat from something, here's another news item I noticed today.

Betelgeuse, the 7th brightest start in the sky, is about to explode at any time, and the resulting supernovae could wipe out all life on Earth.

Reference

Beginner Gas-Powered Drones

GARTT DIY GT500 FBL TT: $200 - $300

Basic Features: Helicopter type, 2.4GHz 6-channel, flybarless torque tube, fits Align Trex 500, excellent power-to-weight ratio, pre-assembled.

Mid-Level Gas-Powered Drones

Freefly Systems Alta UAV: $1,500 - $2,000

Basic Features: Heavy lifting up to 15 lbs, sky-view and ground-view camera perspectives, SYNAPSE controller for cinematic shots, foldable design.

High-End Gas-Powered Drones

Fly Dragon VTOL Drone: $2,500 - $3,500

Basic Features: VTOL-type UAV, lifts up to 12 lbs, peak speed of 60 mph, crash-resistant design, over 35 minutes flight time, rigid build.

Advanced Gas-Powered Drones

Incredible HLQ (Heavy Lifting Quadcopter): $3,000 - $5,000

Basic Features: Two 12.5 horsepower engines, lifts up to 50 lbs, helicopter-quality 435mm blades, designed for aerial photographers, stable in windy conditions.

Beginner Toy Drones

  • Hubsan H107: $30 - $50. Basic Features: Simple controls, basic camera, lightweight, ideal for beginners.
  • Syma X5C: $50 - $70. Basic Features: 4-axis stabilization, basic camera, headless mode, beginner-friendly.
  • Ryze Tello: $100 - $150 Basic Features: 720p camera, easy-to-use app, flight training mode, beginner-friendly.

Entry-Level Camera Drones

DJI Mavic Mini: $300 - $400 Basic Features: 3-axis gimbal, 12MP camera, 2.7K video, compact and portable.

Holy Stone HS720E: $300 - $400 Basic Features: 4K camera, GPS return home, follow me mode, foldable design.

Potensic D80: $400 - $500 Basic Features: 4K camera, GPS-assisted flight, auto takeoff/landing, foldable design.

opinionnew world order

About the Creator

Scott Christenson🌴

Born and raised in Milwaukee WI, living in Hong Kong. Hoping to share some of my experiences w short story & non-fiction writing. Have a few shortlisted on Reedsy:

https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/author/scott-christenson/

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Comments (3)

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  • Dr. Cody Dakota Wooten, DFM, DHM, DAS (hc)about a year ago

    I've barely heard about what is happening, but that's because I do not really follow the news haha.

  • JBazabout a year ago

    I love how the imaginations run rampant and then the band wagon happens. Although the Expolding star did grab my attention.

  • D. J. Reddallabout a year ago

    The panic about these odd drones is intriguing, and your reading of the entire phenomenon is clever and rational, as always. Your closing "and now for something completely different" should be much more alarming than the Christmas lighted drones, but who cares about real threats?

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