[stevecalifornia]

I don't get why the UAVs need lights. They might not have been detected without them-- so it's like they were asking too be seen.

Also just an aside, I was on that cruise ship that was in the vicinity a month before this. I went out onto the deck (the bow) late at night. We were way out offshore near the military operating area. It was pitch black out there and creepy as fuck.

[tablespoon]

> I don't get why the UAVs need lights. They might not have been detected without them-- so it's like they were asking too be seen.

Maybe that was meant as intimidation?

[watertom]

It's an identification counter measure.

It's a small object emitting a bright light. Trying to take a picture or identify the craft becomes impossible.

[ja27]

For visual line-of-sight flight, it's helpful to have different color LEDs on the front and rear so you can tell which way it's pointed. Certainly sounds like a photographer job.

[shahbaby]

The lighting is likely an unintentional by-product of the technology that powers the craft.

[pindab0ter]

Heat is, light not so much. Unless you specifically choose to be seen, which seems to be the case here.

[keeganpoppen]

they definitely were asking to be seen. unclear why, though, other than as some sort of taunt.

[jcims]

I bet it’s incredible when the sky is clear tho.