The FBI's use of aerial surveillance - although criticized - has long been known to the American public. However, a recent investigation by AP has revealed that the actual scope of the FBI's aerial surveillance operation has been securely obscured as several planes in the agency's fleet are registered to "fictitious" companies.

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For about 30-days, low-flying planes were observed making up to 100 flights in over 30 cities in 11 states. The FBI is known to have lots of airplanes, but the exact scope of the fleet involved in this clandestine operation is unknown. AP reports that a 2009 budget shows that the agency had up to 115 planes.

These FBI aircrafts are reportedly equipped with the latest surveillance technology, including cameras and cell phone tracking equipment. Last year, The Wall Street Journal reported that the Department of Justice (DoJ) was running a program where small aircrafts fitted with special cell phone tracking technology that mimicked cell phone towers were used to steal information from cell phones.

The FBI reportedly uses these airplanes in its investigations. However, a senior law enforcement official confirmed to CNN that the planes are also available to state and local authorities for their investigations. While a judge's approval is not needed for the FBI to use these airplanes, reports indicate that the program is conducted under the supervision of the DoJ.

Sam Richards (or Sam Renegade), a Minneapolis-based independent journalist who first uncovered the existence of these planes, reportedly began his investigation after spotting one of these airplanes and observing its surveillance flight pattern.

He reveals in a report on Medium that he found many companies registered with similar three-letter acronym names like 'KQM Aviation' and 'FVX Research.' However, it was impossible to find any more information on these companies. According to AP, one of these companies shares a post office with the DoJ. AP traced about 13 front companies used by the FBI.

While the agency has confirmed the existence of these high-tech aircrafts registered to fake companies, Christopher Allen, the agency's spokesman explains that they are being "protected or operational security purposes."

Law enforcement officials insist that the FBI's surveillance operation is well within the limits of the law. The FBI reportedly instructed AP not to reveal the names of some of these front companies not to compromise their ongoing operations, but the publication refused.

TagsFBI Spy Planes, FBI, FBI aerial surveillance, cell phone tracking technology, KQM Aviation, FVX Research, Department of Justice (DoJ), FBI Spy Program, FBI Spy Cell Phone, FBI Private Planes