New Jersey state lawmakers say they have been briefed by security officials amid a joint federal and state investigation into weeks of unexplained drone sightings across the state that have prompted heightened security concerns from residents,

There have been at least 180 drone sightings in Central Jersey. But the number of sightings outnumbers answers.

The large mysterious drones reported flying over parts of New Jersey in recent weeks appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio, according to a state lawmaker briefed Wednesday by the Department of Homeland Security.

Two Republican Jersey Shore-area congressmen, U.S. Reps. Chris Smith and Jeff Van Drew, have called on the military to shoot down the drones. However, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh told reporters Wednesday that “our initial assessment here is that these are not drones or activities coming from a foreign entity or adversary.”

Federal investigators were pressed on Capitol Hill Wednesday about nearly a month of nightly drone sightings over New Jersey, causing growing concern among residents, military personnel and local officials.

Gov. Phil Murphy says they pose no known threat, but Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew is calling for the drones to be shot down.

Several state senators and government officials call for answers to the citizens’ reporting of the strange sights, with one asking for a “limited state of emergency.”

TRENTON, N.J. — Amid growing public concern over unexplained drone activity in New Jersey, the state Senate Republican Caucus issued a statement Wednesday urging immediate federal intervention to address the sightings, which they say have left residents anxious and without answers.