Multi-Release · U.S. Department of War
PURSUE Declassified Archive
The Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters — a rolling declassification series from the U.S. Department of War. The archive includes the FBI 62-HQ-83894 case file, NASA Apollo / Mercury audio and lunar photography, DoE and CIA / ODNI records, and unresolved infrared sensor footage from CENTCOM, EUCOM, INDOPACOM, AFRICOM, and NORTHCOM. Originally released at war.gov/UFO.
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Showing 284 of 478 records.
Released October 23, 2026 · U.S. Department of War
26 records in this release
PDFDoD / AARO · Washington, D.C.
USG-UAP-D002, Interagency Correspondence Concerning Space Fragments, 1962-1964
This file contains a series of memoranda and correspondence exchanged among senior Executive Branch officials between October 2, 1962, and May 26, 1964, concerning the development of a policy framework and communications strategy for the recovery, handling, analysis, and disposition of materials associated with U.S. and foreign activities in space. Over the course of multiple drafts and revisions spanning nearly two years, the file documents efforts to establish jurisdictional boundaries based on the suspected origin and character of recovered material. In general, the proposed framework contemplated that material associated with a U.S. Department of Defense mission or equipment would be received, analyzed, and disposed of by the Department; that foreign space material would be turned over to the Department of Defense or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), depending on the circumstances; and that the Department of State would coordinate with foreign governments to secure access to such material when recovered abroad. The correspondence also reflects efforts to assign responsibility for hazardous or radioactive materials to the Atomic Energy Commission. Various drafts alternated between assigning responsibility for handling materials whose origin could not be readily determined to the Department of Defense or to NASA. The correspondence also reflects concern with public perception regarding recovery activity and includes draft public statements describing the proposed framework. This public messaging included language designating NASA as the holding authority for foreign materials, while private correspondence described a parallel plan to exploit such materials for technical analysis. Ultimately, although these negotiations did not produce a settled policy framework, the correspondence illustrates interagency deliberations between senior officials in the context of the Space Race and the broader Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union.
PDFDoD / AARO · Catalina Island, California
DOW-UAP-D181, Unresolved UAP Report, Catalina Island, 1949
This file contains correspondence from Mr. Percy Wackey of Avalon, California to Mr. Kenneth Arnold of Boise, Idaho. Mr. Wackey relayed that his wife and another individual reported observing six objects over Catalina Island on the night of April 28, 1949. A handwritten annotation and contemporary documentation associated with the letter indicate a conclusion by the U.S. Air Force that the incident lacked sufficient data for evaluation.
PDFDoD / AARO
DOW-UAP-D180, Final Personnel Record for McCoy, Howard M., U.S. Air Force, 1954
This file contains the final personnel record of U.S. Air Force officer Howard M. McCoy, who left service as a Colonel, a senior field-grade officer responsible for significant operational and administrative duties. From December 1946 to August 1949, Colonel McCoy served as Deputy Commanding General for Intelligence (T-2), and later as Chief of the Intelligence Department, Headquarters, Air Materiel Command, at what is now known as Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. During his tenure, the Air Force initiated two significant studies centering on unidentified anomalous phenomena: Project SIGN and Project GRUDGE. He was among the senior Air Force intelligence officers involved in the early design, administration, and execution of those programs.
PDFDoD / AARO · Catalina Island, California
DOW-UAP-D179, Air Intelligence Information Report, Catalina Island, 1952
This file contains an Air Intelligence Information Report (AIIR), a standardized U.S. Air Force reporting form used to record raw information of potential intelligence value for later analysis. The form served as a primary vehicle for U.S. Air Force field intelligence collection throughout the early Cold War, until defense-wide reporting standards were established in the early 1960s. This AIIR records a June 25, 1952, incident over Catalina Island, California, in which three Boy Scouts attending a summer camp at Camp Fox reported observing silver “flying saucers” moving at an estimated speed faster than that of a conventional jet. The report also describes the object as climbing quickly before apparently disintegrating. A comment by the preparing officer indicated that no attempt was made to establish the reliability of the report and characterized the experience of the observers as “probably meager at best.” All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Catalina Island, California
DOW-UAP-D178, Unresolved UAP Report, Catalina Island, 1953
The file contains a report of a round, purplish-white object above Catalina Island on November 16, 1953. The report describes the object as remaining stationary, then moving northwest toward Los Angeles over approximately 10 minutes on a level flight path. The report characterizes the observer as fairly reliable due to his association with military jet aircraft activities while stationed at Long Beach Air Force Base, Los Angeles, CA. The report refers to an assessment by local astronomers that Jupiter provided a possible explanation.
PDFDoD / AARO · Catalina Island, California
DOW-UAP-D177, Unresolved UAP Report, Catalina Island, 1955
The file contains a report by Paul J. Carr of Avalon, California, who reported observing a bright orange object, approximately the size of a nickel held at arm’s length, on the evening of March 15, 1955. The provisional assessment associated with the report includes a comment from the preparing officer that the sighting is possibly astronomical, and that the incident did not warrant further investigation.
PDFDoD / AARO · Western United States
DOW-UAP-D176, Triangular UAP AARO Memorandum for Record, 2026
This document is a memorandum for record documenting an AARO witness debrief concerning reported unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) observations at a sensitive national security site in the western United States over two days in 2026. AARO considers this incident to warrant further investigation due to the close alignment of the phenomena’s reported morphological features and kinematic profiles with those of other reported incidents in the western United States region. The memorandum records an interview with two Federal Special Agents and incorporates a corroborating account from a third official positioned at a separate observation post. The memorandum describes a primary event in which the reporting individuals stated that a triangular object rose vertically, remained stationary, and then banked and descended into a canyon. It records their descriptions of the object’s shape, color, apparent thermal signature, perceived lack of conventional propulsion features, and absence of an associated audible signature. The memorandum further records a secondary observation on the following evening, and a subsequent ground search that found no visible debris or evidence of an impact in the accessible survey area. The file is an investigative record preserving witness accounts, chronology, and associated analytic support material developed by the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) and does not present a conclusive finding regarding the nature or origin of the reported object or objects. All descriptive and estimative language reported by the individuals interviewed reflects their subjective interpretations at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D175, BAASS Self-Assessment of UAP Analysis Capabilities, November 2010
This document is an administrative, programmatic, or contractor-produced record related to the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP), a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)-administered program active from 2008 to 2012. AAWSAP’s official scope of work identified 12 technical research areas relating to potential aerospace threats over a time horizon of more than 40 years. As part of the broader program record, the file documents how AAWSAP was scoped, organized, tasked, funded, executed, or described at a particular point in time. This November 2010 Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS) contractor-authored capability statement presents BAASS’s analysis as technically rigorous and strategically valuable. The document appears intended not only to describe BAASS’s analytical capabilities but also to reinforce the case for the organization’s continued relevance and for the continuation of AAWSAP. The document summarizes the company’s self-assessment of the suitability of its personnel, software, equipment, field sensor, and data warehousing capabilities for analyzing unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) and unidentified submerged objects (USOs). It includes excerpted case findings and uses selected case studies and modeling exercises as demonstrations of BAASS’s analytical capabilities. The report describes BAASS as combining field collection resources, historical databases, and computational tools such as ANSYS Multiphysics to model UAP incidents through engineering and physics analysis, including work on radar cross section, fluid behavior, acoustics, and aerodynamic performance. It also presents BAASS’s in-house capabilities as supporting both threat assessment and the study of advanced aerospace technologies, while asserting that analysis of UAP performance characteristics could inform future developments in propulsion, stealth, detection, and weapons systems.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D174, Utah Ranch Investigation Report, April 2010
This document is an administrative, programmatic, or contractor-produced record related to the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP), a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)-administered program active from 2008 to 2012. AAWSAP’s official scope of work identified 12 technical research areas relating to potential aerospace threats over a time horizon of more than 40 years. As part of the broader program record, the file documents how AAWSAP was scoped, organized, tasked, funded, executed, or described at a particular point in time. This April 2010 Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS) investigation report documents field deployments to a Utah property and surrounding communities during March and April 2010. The report states that BAASS personnel interviewed local residents, law enforcement officers, ranchers, business owners, and tribal community members about reported anomalous events; used handheld sensors to collect environmental measurements; planned plant-based biosensor experiments; and sought photographic, acoustic, and chemical evidence of purported anomalous phenomena. It also records extensive reported accounts involving “dog-like bipedal creatures,” orbs of light, “little people,” “prehistoric-looking” birds, among other phenomena, and states that BAASS intended to use interactive methods to attempt communication with the presumed source of reported anomalous activity.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D173, BAASS Monthly Report, November 2009
This document is an administrative, programmatic, or contractor-produced record related to the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP), a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)-administered program active from 2008 to 2012. AAWSAP’s official scope of work identified 12 technical research areas relating to potential aerospace threats over a time horizon of more than 40 years. As part of the broader program record, the file documents how AAWSAP was scoped, organized, tasked, funded, executed, or described at a particular point in time. This November 2009 Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS) progress report summarizes contractor activities for the period November 1–30, 2009. The report focuses on AAWSAP investigative activity based on information received via the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), progress on investigations centering on a ranch in Utah, and a preliminary report on a “blue orb” incident. It also records BAASS’s continued emphasis on field investigation, case database expansion, and focused inquiry into events at the Utah ranch and surrounding area, including creation of a separate database for those incidents.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D171, BAASS Monthly Report, June 2009
This document is an administrative, programmatic, or contractor-produced record related to the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP), a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)-administered program active from 2008 to 2012. AAWSAP’s official scope of work identified 12 technical research areas relating to potential aerospace threats over a time horizon of more than 40 years. As part of the broader program record, the file documents how AAWSAP was scoped, organized, tasked, funded, executed, or described at a particular point in time. This June 2009 Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS) progress report summarizes contractor activities for the period June 1–30, 2009. The report addresses staffing growth, expansion into new facilities, progress on contracted technical papers, investigative activity based on information received via the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), a BAASS deployment to Brazil, an update on “Project Northern Tier,” and continued review of UAP-related materials released by foreign governments. It also documents BAASS’s continued investment in field investigation capacity, foreign liaison-building, and UAP case acquisition, while recording BAASS’s proposal to reduce MUFON’s monthly stipend pending further performance review. Overall, the file reflects program activity, particularly in UAP reporting intake, foreign case investigation, and organizational expansion in support of those functions.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D170, BAASS Monthly Report, April 2009
This document is an administrative, programmatic, or contractor-produced record related to the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP), a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)-administered program active from 2008 to 2012. AAWSAP’s official scope of work identified 12 technical research areas relating to potential aerospace threats over a time horizon of more than 40 years. As part of the broader program record, the file documents how AAWSAP was scoped, organized, tasked, funded, executed, or described at a particular point in time. This April 2009 Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS) progress report summarizes contractor activities for the period April 1–30, 2009. The report addresses staffing and clearance processing, progress on contracted technical papers, BAASS’s purchase of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) information from the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), work on “Project Northern Tier,” and review of UAP-related materials released by several foreign governments. It also describes BAASS’s development of investigative and laboratory support capabilities, including a small deployable field investigation team and arrangements for potential future forensic and scientific analyses of materials obtained through MUFON reporting. Overall, the file documents ongoing program activity, particularly in UAP case acquisition, field investigation, and archival research.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D169, BAASS Monthly Report, March 2009
This document is an administrative, programmatic, or contractor-produced record related to the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP), a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)-administered program active from 2008 to 2012. AAWSAP’s official scope of work identified 12 technical research areas relating to potential aerospace threats over a time horizon of more than 40 years. As part of the broader program record, the file documents how AAWSAP was scoped, organized, tasked, funded, executed, or described at a particular point in time. This March 2009 Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS) progress report summarizes contractor activities for the period March 1–31, 2009. The report addresses staffing and clearance processing, progress on contracted technical papers, development of advanced aerial phenomena databases, BAASS’s purchase of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) information from the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), efforts to become the Federal Aviation Administration’s official reporting point for unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP), and review of UAP-related materials released by foreign governments. It also documents BAASS’s broader effort to establish centralized UAP collection and analysis capabilities, including database development, and external reporting pipelines. Overall, the file reflects ongoing program activity, particularly its emphasis on UAP reporting intake, reporting infrastructure, and archival or case-based analysis.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D168, BAASS Project Management Plan, December 2008
This document is an administrative, programmatic, or contractor-produced record related to the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP), a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)-administered program active from 2008 to 2012. AAWSAP’s official scope of work identified 12 technical research areas relating to potential aerospace threats over a time horizon of more than 40 years. As part of the broader program record, the file documents how AAWSAP was scoped, organized, tasked, funded, executed, or described at a particular point in time. This December 2008 Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS) Project Management Plan is an overview paper setting out the contractor’s proposed strategy, priorities, and milestones for executing contract HHM402-08-C-0072 (AAWSAP). The plan states that BAASS would address the program’s 12 technical areas through a smaller number of selected projects, including initiatives focused on physics research, project cooperation with government-held information, academic engagement, database development, oral-history interviewing, and collection or review of materials described as excluded from Project Blue Book. The plan argues that the most productive approach would be to study “craft” or events already believed by BAASS to demonstrate novel behavior across the 12 technical areas, rather than concentrating primarily on then-current academic or industrial state-of-the-art research.
PDFDoD / AARO · San Fransisco, California
DOW-UAP-D167, Project Capella, December 2008
This document is an administrative, programmatic, or contractor-produced record related to the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP), a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)-administered program active from 2008 to 2012. AAWSAP’s official scope of work identified 12 technical research areas relating to potential aerospace threats over a time horizon of more than 40 years. As part of the broader program record, the file documents how AAWSAP was scoped, organized, tasked, funded, executed, or described at a particular point in time. This December 2008 report developed for Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS) outlines Project Capella, a proposed data warehouse framework for the capture, processing, classification, and retrieval of information relating to “unusual” aerial phenomena and related anomalies. The report describes a methodology for integrating existing catalogues, standardizing classification and reliability measures, reviewing foreign and private databases, and building personnel and software capacity to support analysis, literature review, and potential future field investigations. It presents the project as a means of consolidating disparate historical and contemporary case materials into a structured research system capable of supporting multiple BAASS initiatives. By proposing a data architecture centered on unusual aerial phenomena and related anomalies, the document helped lay the groundwork for later BAASS efforts, seeking to formalize UAP-oriented data collection and analysis within BAASS’s execution of AAWSAP.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D166, MUFON Reports Prepared for BAASS, November 2008
This document is an administrative, programmatic, or contractor-produced record related to the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP), a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)-administered program active from 2008 to 2012. AAWSAP’s official scope of work identified 12 technical research areas relating to potential aerospace threats over a time horizon of more than 40 years. As part of the broader program record, the file documents how AAWSAP was scoped, organized, tasked, funded, executed, or described at a particular point in time. This November 2008 compilation appears to be a set of technical materials prepared by the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) for Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS) under a separate supporting contract. The file presents MUFON-produced topical papers framed around AAWSAP’s technical research areas, including at least a paper on “Lift,” while treating historical and contemporary unidentified flying object or unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) reporting as a relevant source base for evaluating advanced aerospace capabilities.
PDFDoD / AARO
DOW-UAP-D164, Flying Object Report, Indiana, 1953
This document is a Flying Objects Report prepared in accordance with Air Force Regulation 200-2, which established guidance for reporting unidentified flying objects. The report records an incident near Seymour, Indiana, in which two civilian reporters stated that they observed two airborne objects while traveling by car. The report does not identify an exact event date; its weather assessment addresses conditions during the period December 8–15, 1953. The report describes the incident as consisting of a “brilliant moving light” and two large, white, cloudy or gaseous objects in a staggered formation. It further describes four bright points of light within each object and a bluish-white, vapor-like trail. The report describes the object kinematics as an in-line approach with a steady descent, a stationary interval of unreported duration, and a rapid departure along an abrupt upward angle toward the southwest. It records an estimated direct observation period of three to four minutes, with a total elapsed period of five to six minutes that included changes in the vehicle’s route. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Sweden
DOW-UAP-D163, Air Intelligence Information Report, Sweden, 1953
This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report (AIIR), a standardized U.S. Air Force reporting form used to record raw information of potential intelligence value for later analysis. The form served as a primary vehicle for U.S. Air Force field intelligence collection throughout the early Cold War, until defense-wide reporting standards were established in the early 1960s. This AIIR records a December 17, 1953, incident near Hässleholm, Sweden, translated from a local media report. At 1437 hours, Transair chief pilot Captain Ulf Christiernsson and crew chief Olle Johansson reported observing an object approaching their DC-3 from the opposite direction, approximately 600 meters (1,969 feet) below their aircraft, which was flying at about 2,150 meters (7,054 feet). The aircrew described a “shining metal spherical elliptical object” and estimated its speed as approximately the speed of sound. Christiernsson described the object as strongly metallic, nearly round, and slightly elliptical. He reported that it remained visible for six to seven seconds, produced no visible exhaust or condensation trail, and initially appeared to him to be a jet or possibly an unmanned “robot.” The Swedish Defense Staff reportedly identified no Swedish aircraft in the area at that time and stated that it would examine possible radar observations. The report also includes a brief character sketch of Christiernsson based on the account of a personal contact, who characterized him as “most untrustworthy,” and notes that Swedish authorities had begun an investigation into the incident. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics. AARO Comment: Based on the reported aircraft altitude and relative separation, the object’s reported altitude was approximately 1,550 meters (5,085 feet). Under standard atmospheric conditions, the speed of sound at that altitude is approximately 748 mph.
PDFDoD / AARO · Alaska
DOW-UAP-D162, Air Intelligence Information Report, Alaska, 1953
This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report (AIIR), a standardized U.S. Air Force reporting form used to record raw information of potential intelligence value for later analysis. The form served as a primary vehicle for U.S. Air Force field intelligence collection throughout the early Cold War, until defense-wide reporting standards were established in the early 1960s. This AIIR records a December 1, 1953, incident near St. Lawrence Island, Alaska, in which an Alaska National Guard sergeant residing on the island reported observing a stationary light on the horizon west of Gambell for approximately five minutes. The report states that the light was observed at a true heading of 283 degrees, appeared similar in color to a flashlight, and disappeared as though it had been turned off. The preparing officer further noted that an unidentified ship may have been the source of the light, though no definite conclusion could be reached as to its nature or origin. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Alaska
DOW-UAP-D161, Air Intelligence Information Report, Alaska, 1953
This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report (AIIR), a standardized U.S. Air Force reporting form used to record raw information of potential intelligence value for later analysis. The form served as a primary vehicle for U.S. Air Force field intelligence collection throughout the early Cold War, until defense-wide reporting standards were established in the early 1960s. This AIIR records an October 6, 1953, incident on Little Diomede, Alaska, in which a resident of the island reported observing a light on the southern tip of Big Diomede, U.S.S.R. The report states that the light lasted for several seconds and appeared as though it came from a large flashlight or spotlight. It further describes the light as about the size of a nickel coin held at arm’s length and about the same color as a burning match or dim flashlight. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics. AARO Comment: The Diomede Islands are situated in the Bering Strait between Alaska and Siberia and constitute the nearest point of territorial proximity between the United States and the former Soviet Union.
PDFDoD / AARO · Morocco
DOW-UAP-D160, Air Intelligence Information Report, Morocco, 1953
This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report (AIIR), a standardized U.S. Air Force reporting form used to record raw information of potential intelligence value for later analysis. The form served as a primary vehicle for U.S. Air Force field intelligence collection throughout the early Cold War, until defense-wide reporting standards were established in the early 1960s. This AIIR records a December 16, 1953, incident in northern French Morocco and the Mediterranean Sea area in which personnel of Detachment 2, 737th AC&W Squadron reported an unidentified radar return. The report states that the return varied in shape between “V,” “W,” and “M” configurations and faded after several minutes of observation. It further states that electronics personnel in the 316th Air Division believed the return might have been caused by anomalous propagation, ship-borne radar jamming, or geese or storks in flight, and concludes that one of those possibilities was the most likely explanation for the return. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics. AARO Comment: The 737th AC&W Squadron was a U.S. Air Force radar unit stationed in Saidia, Morocco, where it supported airborne early warning and air defense surveillance in coordination with French military forces.
PDFDoD / AARO · Germany
DOW-UAP-D159, Air Intelligence Information Report, Germany, 1953
This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report (AIIR), a standardized U.S. Air Force reporting form used to record raw information of potential intelligence value for later analysis. The form served as a primary vehicle for U.S. Air Force field intelligence collection throughout the early Cold War, until defense-wide reporting standards were established in the early 1960s. This AIIR records a series of entries extracted from Tempelhof Airport air traffic control logs dated 10–11 August 1953 concerning aerial reports in the Soviet-occupied zone of Germany. The report states that a British European Airways DC-3 aircraft reported observing what the pilot described as red-colored rockets being fired approximately one mile in front of the aircraft while inbound to Tempelhof via the Center Corridor. It further states that the pilot of a second British European Airways DC-3 later reported a stationary, red-colored light approximately 20 nautical miles west of Genthin at an altitude of approximately 5,000 feet. The report also notes that British Berlin Air Safety Center stated that Soviet authorities had investigated the reported red light and could not account for it. A later Pan American pilot reported no corresponding light or activity when passing through the same area. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Canada
DOW-UAP-D158, Flying Object Report, Canada, 1953
This document is a Flying Objects Report prepared in accordance with Air Force Regulation 200-2, which established guidance for reporting unidentified flying objects. This report records a November 13, 1953, incident in British Columbia, Canada, in which three U.S. Air Force servicemembers reported observing a round, blinking white light with a blue hue, initially described as resembling a falling star. The report describes the object’s motion as descending to an estimated altitude of 150 feet, remaining stationary for approximately 30 seconds, ascending vertically to an estimated altitude of 300 feet, remaining stationary for approximately 10 seconds, and then departing the observers’ field of view in a westerly direction while gaining altitude. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Italy
DOW-UAP-D157, Air Intelligence Information Report, Italy, 1952
This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report (AIIR), a standardized U.S. Air Force reporting form used to record raw information of potential intelligence value for later analysis. The form served as a primary vehicle for U.S. Air Force field intelligence collection throughout the early Cold War, until defense-wide reporting standards were established in the early 1960s. This AIIR records an August 27, 1952, incident near Sassari, Italy, that was reported in the local Italian press the following day. The U.S. Air Attaché in Rome relayed the translated newspaper account to the Air Force in November 1953 and later interviewed the individual who made the initial report, Professor Giovanni Battista Sias. Sias described observing a brilliantly luminous sphere, slightly larger in apparent size than the full moon, with a green-blue color, silvery brightness, and metallic streaking on its right side. He reported that it moved from east to west at very high speed, intermittently disappearing and reappearing while leaving behind a narrow luminous trail or ribbon. The preparing officer characterized Professor Sias as intelligent, pleasant, and eager to share his account. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Guam
DOW-UAP-D156, Air Intelligence Information Report, Guam, 1956
This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report (AIIR), a standardized U.S. Air Force reporting form used to record raw information of potential intelligence value for later analysis. The form served as a primary vehicle for U.S. Air Force field intelligence collection throughout the early Cold War, until defense-wide reporting standards were established in the early 1960s. This AIIR records a December 31, 1956, incident in the vicinity of Guam in which the pilot of a U.S. Air Force F-86D aircraft reported observing an unidentified aerial blinking light. The report notes that a lighted weather balloon had been launched before the sighting and states that, if the balloon had malfunctioned and remained at a relatively low altitude, it could possibly explain the reported object. It also indicates that the preparing officer did not regard the balloon explanation as sufficient unless that condition applied. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Saudi Arabia
DOW-UAP-D155, Air Intelligence Information Report, Saudi Arabia, 1957
This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report (AIIR), a standardized U.S. Air Force reporting form used to record raw information of potential intelligence value for later analysis. The form served as a primary vehicle for U.S. Air Force field intelligence collection throughout the early Cold War, until defense-wide reporting standards were established in the early 1960s. This AIIR records a January 18, 1957, incident over Saudi Arabia in which the crew of a U.S. Air Force B-52 aircraft reported detecting an unidentified return on the aircraft’s gunnery scope for approximately five to seven minutes. The report characterizes the unidentified return as smaller than one produced by another B-52 operating in the area. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
Released September 18, 2026 · U.S. Department of War
67 records in this release
AUDIODoD / AARO · Boston, Massachusetts
DOW-UAP-PR160, Presentation by Captain Edward J. Ruppelt, 1952
This audio file records a March 1952 presentation by Captain Edward J. Ruppelt, outlining the U.S. Air Force’s reorganized investigation into unidentified flying objects (UFOs). The presentation previews prospective technical methodologies, such as diffraction-grating photography and radar-scope synchronization, that were subsequently incorporated into Project Blue Book, a U.S. Air Force program active from 1952 to 1969 that investigated the nature and origin of UFOs. Ruppelt explains that out of approximately 800 historical cases reviewed by the Air Force, approximately 20% remained unexplained after technical analysis. These unresolved reports were sourced from credible military personnel, commercial pilots, and other qualified technical observers. He highlights geographic report concentrations around sensitive national security and nuclear weapons installations (including Los Alamos, Albuquerque, and Oak Ridge National Laboratories) and notes recurring anomalous characteristics, including silent high-speed flight and radar detections indicating unconfirmed air speeds between 1,000 and 3,500 miles per hour. Emphasizing that the Air Force found no conclusive evidence regarding the nature or origin of the phenomena, Ruppelt underscores the national security need for a systematic physical data collection effort to better evaluate these sightings.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Tremonton, Utah
DOW-UAP-PR159, Historical Film of Reported UFOs, Utah, 1952
This archival footage is a digitization of a 16mm print of Kodachrome color motion-picture film shot on a handheld Bell & Howell Auto Master camera near Tremonton, Utah, on July 2, 1952. U.S. Navy Chief Warrant Officer Delbert C. Newhouse reported observing and filming a group of bright airborne objects and shortly thereafter submitted the footage to the U.S. Air Force. The film later became one of the visual cases reviewed by Project Blue Book, the 1952–1969 U.S. Air Force program that investigated the nature and origin of unidentified flying objects (UFOs). The film’s limited detail and lack of fixed reference points prevented a conclusive resolution. From the 55-second mark onward, the film transitions to unrelated footage appearing to show a demonstration of sewing equipment. The presence of unrelated sewing-equipment footage suggests that the surviving footage may be a composite or reused print, though the available record does not establish how or when the materials came to be combined. As documented in records submitted with the film, contained in this collection under the title DOW-UAP-D102, the footage originally was paired with mountain scenery from Idaho, which is not preserved in this digitization.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Yellow Sea
DOW-UAP-PR152, Unresolved UAP Report, Yellow Sea, 2023
The United States Indo-Pacific Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 1 minute and 38 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2023. Video Description: 00:00-01:38: The sensor pans to track an area of contrast, keeping it generally within the center of the frame. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Yellow Sea
DOW-UAP-PR151, Unresolved UAP Report, Yellow Sea, 2023
The United States Indo-Pacific Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 49 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2023. Video Description: 00:00-00:15: The sensor pans to track an area of contrast. 00:16-00:18: The sensor increases its level of magnification and pans to track the area of contrast. 00:19-00:49: The sensor pans to track an area of contrast, keeping it generally within the center of the frame. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Yellow Sea
DOW-UAP-PR150, Unresolved UAP Report, Yellow Sea, 2023
The United States Indo-Pacific Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 57 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2023. Video Description: 00:00-00:05: No content. 00:06-00:07: An area of contrast enters the sensor field-of view from the bottom edge. 00:08-00:51: A rectangular digital overlay, or “focus box,” appears near the center of the frame. This display element is a graphical component of the sensor system and does indicate a physical change in the environment. The sensor pans to track the area of contrast. 00:52-00:57: The collection platform geometry occludes the sensor, blurring the display and blocking the right side of the screen. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · East China Sea
DOW-UAP-PR148, Unresolved UAP Report, East China Sea, 2023
The United States Indo-Pacific Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 59 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2023. Video Description: 00:00-00:03: No content. 00:04-00:46: The sensor pans to track an area of contrast, keeping it generally within the center of the frame. 00:47-00:59: The sensor increases its level of magnification while panning to track the area of contrast. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Yellow Sea
DOW-UAP-PR144, Unresolved UAP Report, Yellow Sea, 2023
The United States Indo-Pacific Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 27 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2023. Video Description: 00:00-00:02: An area of contrast is visible above and to the left of the center of the frame. 00:03-00:27: The sensor increases its level of magnification and pans to track the area of contrast, keeping it generally within the center of the frame. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Yellow Sea
DOW-UAP-PR143, Unresolved UAP Report, Yellow Sea, 2023
The United States Indo-Pacific Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 19 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2023. Video Description: 00:00-00:19: The sensor pans to track an area of contrast, keeping it generally within the center of the frame. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Middle East
DOW-UAP-PR141, Unresolved UAP Report, Middle East, 2022
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 2 minutes and 36 seconds of video footage from an electro-optical (right) and infrared (left) sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2022. An accompanying mission report, DOW-UAP-D109, described the UAP as “traveling at various speeds between 80-180 miles per hour.” Video Description: 00:00-00:12: An area of contract enters the sensor field-of-view from the lower right of the frame. The sensor pans to track the area of contrast, keeping it generally within the center of the frame. 00:13-00:14: The sensor switches modes to display an infrared (left) and electro-optical (right) feed. 00:15-00:18: The object enters the frame from the lower right, transiting the sensor field-of-view and exiting from the upper left. 00:19-00:20: The sensor switches to infrared mode, panning to track an area of contrast. 00:21-00:27: The sensor switches modes to display an infrared (left) and electro-optical (right) feed. 00:28-00:52: The sensor switches to infrared mode, panning to track an area of contrast. 00:52-00:57: A second area of contrast briefly enters the sensor field-of-view. 00:58-01:16: The sensor pans to track an area of contrast. 01:17-01:21: The sensor switches modes to display an infrared (left) and electro-optical (right) feed. The sensor pans to track the object. The object leaves the sensor field-of-view from the left edge of the frame. 01:22-01:27: No content. 01:28-01:31: The sensor switches to infrared mode. No content. 01:32-02:36: The area of contrast enters the sensor field-of-view from the lower left of the frame. The sensor pans to track the area of contrast, intermittently losing contact with it. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO
DOW-UAP-PR140, Unresolved UAP Report, Middle East, 2022
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 1 minute and 47 seconds of video footage from an electro-optical and infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2022. An accompanying mission report, DOW-UAP-D109, described the UAP as “traveling at various speeds between 80-180 miles per hour.” Video Description: 00:00-00:05: No content. 00:06-00:08: An area of contrast transits the sensor field-of-view, entering from the top of the frame and exiting from the bottom. 00:09-00:15: No content. 00:16-00:26: The sensor pans to track the area of contrast, keeping it generally centered within the frame. 00:27-00:31: The sensor switches to electro-optical mode, and the object moves out of the sensor field-of-view from the left edge of the frame. 00:32-00:45: The sensor switches to infrared mode and pans to track the area of contrast, keeping it generally within the center of the frame. 00:46-01:10: The sensor switches to electro-optical mode and pans to track the area of contrast. 01:11-01:12: No content. 01:13-01:42: The sensor switches to infrared mode and pans to track the area of contrast. 01:43-01:47: The sensor switches to electro-optical mode and pans to track the area of contrast. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Middle East
DOW-UAP-PR135, Unresolved UAP Report, Middle East, 2025
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 1 minute of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2025. An accompanying mission report, DOW-UAP-D108, described the UAP as “six small spherical objects grouped together, and characterized their behavior as “seem[ingly] agile,” and “frequently changing direction.” The reporter estimated the speed of the UAP to have been 480 miles per hour. Video Description: 00:00-00:04: No content. 00:05-00:10: Several areas of contrast transit the sensor field-of-view, entering from the top of the frame and exiting from the bottom. 00:11-00:47: The sensor pans to track the areas of contrast, keeping them generally within the center of the frame. 00:48-1:00: The sensor changes its level of magnification. No content. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Middle East
DOW-UAP-PR133, Unresolved UAP Report, Middle East, 2025
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 4 minutes and 58 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2024. An accompanying mission report, DOW-UAP-D107, described the UAP as “look[ing] like a white round orbit… moving as fast as 500 miles per hour.” Video Description: 00:00-00:04: The sensor pans to track an area of contrast, keeping it generally centered within the frame. 00:05-00:50: The sensor decreases its level of magnification and continues to track the area of contrast, keeping it generally within the center of the frame. 00:51-01:21: The sensor decreases its level of magnification and adjusts its panning speed to track the area of contrast, keeping it generally within the center of the frame. 01:22-01:41: The sensor increases its level of magnification and adjusts its panning speed to track the area of contrast, keeping it generally within the center of the frame. 01:43-2:05: A rectangular digital overlay, or “focus box,” appears near the center of the frame. This display element is a graphical component of the sensor system and does indicate a physical change in the environment. The sensor pans to track the area of contrast, keeping it generally within the center of the frame before exiting the sensor field-of-view from the bottom edge. 02:06-02:21: The sensor pans across the scene and decreases its level of magnification. The area of contrast intermittently re-appears from the left edge of the frame. 02:22-02:28: The sensor pans across the scene, reacquiring the area of contrast. After the area of contrast re-enters the scene, the sensor continues to pan to track it, keeping it generally within the center of the frame. The sensor engages briefly stops panning and the area of contrast exits on the right side once again. 02:29-02:36: The sensor activates an auto-tracking reticle, which does not establish a lock on the area of contrast. After the auto-track reticle disengages, the sensor stops panning, causing the area of contrast to exit the frame from the right edge. 02:37-3:22: The sensor pans and requires the area of contrast, keeping it within its field-of-view before it exits the bottom edge of the frame. 3:23-4:29: The sensor continues to pan then zooms out and reacquires the area of contrast, now significantly smaller in the sensor’s field of view. The sensor continuously pans to keep the area of contrast in the field of view. 4:30-4:58: The sensor zooms in, and the area of contrast transits the field-of-view, exiting the top of the frame. The sensor cycles magnification levels multiple times. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
PDFDoD / AARO · Iraq
DOW-UAP-PR131, Unresolved UAP Report, Iraq, 2022
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from an infrared system aboard a U.S. military system in 2022. An accompanying mission report, DOW-UAP-D106, described the UAP as “flying sporadically… at various speeds between 80-180 miles per hour.” Image Description: This image features two areas of contrast. One appears near the center of the sensor display. Another appears in the top third of the frame. The area of contrast in the top third of the frame appears elongated and is followed by a visible trail. These features suggest motion across the focal plane from the top right to the bottom left of the sensor field-of-view. The apparent trail is consistent with known image-compression and processing effects and does not necessarily represent a physical feature. This image description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
PDFDoD / AARO · Iraq
DOW-UAP-PR130, Unresolved UAP Report, Iraq, 2022
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from an infrared system aboard a U.S. military system in 2022. An accompanying mission report, DOW-UAP-D106, described the UAP as “flying sporadically… at various speeds between 80-180 miles per hour.” Image Description: This image features two areas of contrast. One appears near the center of the sensor display, bounded by a reticle. Another appears in the lower third of the frame. The area of contrast in the lower third of the frame appears elongated and is followed by a visible trail. These features suggest motion across the focal plane from the top right to the bottom left of the sensor field-of-view. The apparent trail is consistent with known image-compression and processing effects and does not necessarily represent a physical feature. This image description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
PDFDoD / AARO · Boston, Massachusetts
DOW-UAP-D154, Transcript of a Presentation by Captain Edward J. Ruppelt, 1952
This document is a transcript of a March 1952 presentation by Captain Edward J. Ruppelt outlining the U.S. Air Force’s reorganized investigation into unidentified flying objects (UFOs). The presentation previews prospective technical methodologies, such as diffraction-grating photography and radar-scope synchronization, that were subsequently incorporated into Project Blue Book, a U.S. Air Force program active from 1952 to 1969 that investigated the nature and origin of UFOs. Ruppelt explains that out of approximately 800 historical cases reviewed by the Air Force, approximately 20% remained unexplained after technical analysis. These unresolved reports were sourced from credible military personnel, commercial pilots, and other qualified technical observers. He highlights geographic report concentrations around sensitive national security and nuclear weapons installations (including Los Alamos, Albuquerque, and Oak Ridge National Laboratories) and notes recurring anomalous characteristics, including silent high-speed flight and radar detections indicating unconfirmed air speeds between 1,000 and 3,500 miles per hour. Emphasizing that the Air Force found no conclusive evidence regarding the nature or origin of the phenomena, Ruppelt underscores the national security need for a systematic physical data collection effort to better evaluate these sightings.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D153, AAWSAP DIRD, Quantum Tomography of Negative Energy States in the Vacuum, January 2011
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD examines how negative-energy, or “sub-vacuum,” states in quantum fields might be detected and mapped. Its practical scope is limited to the laboratory-scale measurement of minute quantum effects, though it extrapolates from those effects to consider theoretical relevance to concepts such as warp drives, wormholes, or gravitational control. By reviewing previously identified laboratory examples such as the Casimir effect and squeezed light states, the report identifies the core technical challenge as mapping their spatial and temporal structures reliably. To address this, it proposes quantum optical homodyne tomography as a method to reconstruct and quantify the vacuum fluctuations associated with these states. The document acknowledges that only microscopic, transient negative-energy effects have been realized in laboratory settings. It remains unknown whether larger or longer-lived distributions of such effects can be generated or stabilized, particularly given the experimentally unresolved constraints imposed by quantum inequalities. Overall, this DIRD functions as a measurement- and diagnostics-oriented review intended to lay experimental groundwork for a far more ambitious, highly speculative negative-energy research agenda.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D152, AAWSAP DIRD, Negative Mass Propulsion, January 2011
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD examines whether negative mass could exist in a physically meaningful way and whether it could someday reduce the energy cost of spaceflight. The report reviews the unusual dynamics that would follow if positive and negative mass could interact, including self-accelerating mass pairs and matter with very low or nearly zero effective inertia, and treats such ideas as at least formally compatible with certain extensions of gravitational theory. It then considers two broad paths toward practical use: creating or separating negative mass through extreme fields or particle energies, and locating naturally separated negative matter in deep gravitational wells such as galactic centers or possibly the Moon. However, the document also concludes that the first path is effectively beyond technical reach and treats the second as highly uncertain, resting on a long chain of unverified assumptions about the existence, separability, and macroscopic behavior of negative mass. Overall, this DIRD is a far-reaching theoretical exploration of an exotic propulsion concept whose practical application depends on premises that remain unestablished in consensus physics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D151, AAWSAP DIRD, Cognitive Limits on Simultaneous Control of Multiple Unmanned Spacecraft, December 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD examines how many unmanned spacecraft a single human operator could realistically supervise or control at once, using research from air traffic control and multi-vehicle remote piloting as rough analogs. The report argues that the practical limit depends heavily on task complexity: about 16 craft for simple monitoring or destination assignment, about 7 for moderately complex piloting or mission tasks, and about 4 for complex heterogeneous operations. It places particular emphasis on the operator’s ability to maintain a coherent mental “big picture” of multiple vehicles at once, and it suggests that automation and external displays can help by offloading working-memory demands, though not eliminating them. The document also highlights physiological workload measures as a possible way to detect or predict operator overload in real time. Overall, it presents multi-spacecraft control as a human-factors and systems-integration problem in which progress depends on managing cognitive limits through interface design, automation, and workload monitoring.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D150, AAWSAP DIRD, Quantum Computing and Utilizing Organic Molecules in Automation Technology, December 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD surveys advanced computing concepts for future space and automation applications, focusing on quantum and molecular (DNA-based) computing as potential alternatives to conventional silicon electronics. The report introduces quantum computing principles alongside DNA-based logic gates, self-assembly, and nanoscale repair mechanisms, arguing that these unconventional architectures might eventually offer advantages in radiation tolerance, physical robustness, and specialized onboard processing for space-based platforms. It notes that near-term practical barriers remain substantial. Quantum systems continue to depend on complex cryogenics, shielding, and unsolved reliability challenges, while DNA-based computing remains a far-future concept rather than a viable alternative to general-purpose processors. Overall, the document presents both frameworks as long-term possibilities to complement, rather than immediately replace proven space-qualified electronics. It concludes that the stronger, nearer-term cases for such architectures are in highly specialized or hybrid roles rather than in fully mature general-purpose onboard computing applications.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D149, AAWSAP DIRD, MHD Air Breathing Propulsion and Power for Aerospace Applications, November 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD surveys magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) and plasma-based concepts for air-breathing propulsion, onboard power generation, and aerodynamic control, arguing that such systems could in principle extend aerospace performance beyond the limits of conventional chemical propulsion and control surfaces. The report reviews concepts including MHD acceleration, flow control, inlet control, onboard power generation, drag reduction, and plasma-generated “virtual” aerodynamic surfaces, while giving particular attention to hypersonic applications such as scramjet power extraction, reentry vehicles, global-strike gliders, and aero-assisted orbital maneuvers. However, it emphasizes major practical constraints, especially extreme power requirements, system weight and complexity, and the difficulty of achieving useful ionization in colder air at lower hypersonic speeds; on that basis, it argues that Ajax-style MHD bypass concepts, in which energy is extracted from the airflow upstream and reintroduced downstream through an electromagnetic system, are not meaningful below about Mach 12, while treating the “virtual cowl” and related reentry applications as more plausible. The document presents plasma and MHD aerospace systems as a technically serious but highly demanding field whose nearer-term promise lies in specialized hypersonic control, power generation, and reentry applications rather than a fully realized air-breathing propulsion system.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D148, AAWSAP DIRD, Detection and High-Resolution Tracking of Vehicles at Hypersonic Velocities, November 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD surveys how hypersonic vehicles may be detected and tracked by exploiting the physical effects they create in flight, especially shock waves, ionized gas, hot surfaces, and turbulent atmospheric wakes. The report reviews a broad set of detection methods, including radar, infrared sensing, optical imaging, LIDAR, passive radio reflection, infrasound, and seismic techniques, and argues that the most effective systems will likely combine multiple sensor types, because each captures different features of a high-speed vehicle’s passage through the atmosphere. It presents radar and infrared sensing as the strongest existing tools for operational detection, while giving particular attention to wake-based methods such as LIDAR and passive radio techniques for improving tracking, identification, and discrimination of future hypersonic aircraft. The paper identifies hypersonic vehicles as an evolving surveillance problem in which future progress will depend on better multi-sensor integration, improved wake characterization, and novel signature-exploitation techniques.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D147, AAWSAP DIRD, Ultracapacitors as Energy and Power Storage Devices, November 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD surveys ultracapacitors as high-power energy-storage devices and argues that their main value lies in extremely rapid charge and discharge, very long cycle life, and usefulness in systems that need short bursts of power rather than sustained energy delivery. The report explains how ultracapacitors differ from batteries, reviews the materials and cell designs that determine their performance, and emphasizes that they are especially useful for power stabilization, backup power, load leveling, regenerative braking, and other applications where fast energy transfer matters more than total stored energy. It also notes their drawbacks, including lower energy density, self-discharge, and voltage-management requirements that limit their usefulness as stand-alone replacements for batteries in many applications. The document presents ultracapacitors as a maturing and increasingly important technology whose most credible aerospace and military uses lie in pulsed-power, missile and munitions systems, electric propulsion support, and other hybrid power architectures rather than in long-duration primary energy storage.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D146, AAWSAP DIRD, Aneutronic Fusion Propulsion II, November 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD revisits aneutronic fusion propulsion in a more systems-oriented manner, arguing that fusion concepts using low-neutron fuels such as proton-boron or helium-3 could become attractive for space propulsion because they reduce shielding burdens and may support direct conversion of charged-particle energy into thrust or onboard power. The report reviews the relevant fusion plasma physics and focuses on several candidate confinement approaches, then connects those concepts to possible applications in near-space, orbital, and interplanetary propulsion. It presents the most plausible nearer-term use as very high-power electric or plasma propulsion for satellites and deep-space missions rather than atmospheric flight or interstellar travel, while emphasizing that major obstacles remain in ignition, sustained confinement, system mass, power handling, fuel storage, launch integration, and end-to-end engineering.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D145, AAWSAP DIRD, Aneutronic Fusion Propulsion I, November 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD surveys aneutronic fusion as a possible advanced space-propulsion method, focusing on fusion reactions that release most of their energy in charged particles rather than neutrons and therefore offer potential advantages over more neutron-intensive fusion concepts, especially in radiation shielding, direct energy conversion, and thrust generation. The report reviews the underlying rocket physics, compares candidate fusion fuels and ignition conditions, and gives particular attention to proton-boron and related schemes, while also discussing Bussard’s concepts and other fusion projects as representative development paths. It also makes clear that the central obstacle remains ignition and sustained net-energy fusion under practical conditions, and it notes additional problems such as x-ray energy losses from the hot plasma, extreme temperature requirements, and the gap between theoretical specific impulse and what proposed systems had demonstrated experimentally. Overall, the document presents aneutronic fusion propulsion as an attractive long-range concept for deep-space travel, but one whose practical realization still depended on major unresolved advances in fusion engineering.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D144, AAWSAP DIRD, Cockpits in the Era of Breakthrough Flight, November 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD examines how cockpit design might change if future aerospace vehicles were ever to achieve major propulsion breakthroughs such as control over gravity and inertia, “propellantless” flight, or faster-than-light travel. The report does not describe an existing or emerging vehicle class. Instead, it asks what such hypothetical capabilities would mean for piloting, displays, controls, and human factors, and it argues that the biggest design challenges would come from full six-degree-of-freedom motion, operation across multiple flight regimes from near-surface flight to orbit and deep space, and the possible separation between the craft’s actual motion and the crew’s internal physical sensations. It combines those assumptions with established human-machine-interface principles and with maturing inputs such as gesture, voice, and brain-machine control to outline a provisional cockpit centered on intuitive displays, stress-tolerant physical controls, and a virtual surround display.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D143, AAWSAP DIRD, Laser Lightcraft Nanosatellites, November 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD examines laser-propelled “Lightcraft” as a possible low-cost method to launch very small satellites into low Earth orbit by using a remote high-energy laser to supply most of the propulsion energy rather than relying entirely on onboard energy sources. The report combines a survey of nanosatellite trends with a review of “Lightcraft” propulsion concepts, vehicle design, beam-control requirements, and mission studies, and argues that the most promising application is the launch of nano- or pico-satellites, especially Earth- and space-observing payloads of a few kilograms or less. It presents the concept as potentially much cheaper than conventional multistage rockets for very small payloads, while also noting significant practical constraints including strict beam-riding geometry, atmospheric losses, demanding pointing and adaptive-optics requirements, and heavy dependence on large ground-, sea-, or air-based laser infrastructure. Overall, the document presents laser “Lightcraft” as a technically plausible launch concept whose attractiveness depends on whether the supporting laser and beam-control system can be made reliable and economical at operational scale.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D142, AAWSAP DIRD, Concepts for Extracting Energy from the Quantum Vacuum, April 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD examines whether useful energy might be extracted from the quantum vacuum, the ground state with the lowest possible energy of quantum fields. This treatment considers applications for space power or “propellantless” propulsion by reviewing a range of concepts involving zero-point fluctuations, Casimir effects, squeezed vacuum states, Dirac-vacuum decay, and possible vacuum phase changes in quantum chromodynamics. The report argues that established physical models contain real vacuum-related phenomena, and that certain mechanisms can be modeled as energy-releasing phase changes under specific boundary conditions or intense external fields. However, it acknowledges that no practical method for continuous or useful energy extraction has been demonstrated experimentally and that standard quantum electrodynamics does not support continuous vacuum-energy conversion in the manner proposed. Frameworks based on the concepts described in the DIRD remain theoretically underdeveloped and experimentally unconfirmed at the time of writing.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D141, AAWSAP DIRD, Metamaterials for Aerospace Applications, April 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD surveys metamaterials, engineered structures designed to control electromagnetic waves in ways ordinary materials cannot, and argues that their main aerospace value lies in unusual optical and microwave properties together with significant component miniaturization. The report reviews possible applications including sub-wavelength imaging, compact waveguides and lasers, energy harvesting, tunable absorbers, nonreciprocal devices, and switchable materials, with particular emphasis on infrared and microwave uses for sensing, power management, and payload efficiency. It notes that many of the most ambitious applications depend on the practical output of a still-nascent field, especially in optical metamaterials, where only limited demonstrations had been achieved and fabrication remained a major constraint. The document presents metamaterials as a promising advanced materials field with credible niche applications and broader long-term potential.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D140, AAWSAP DIRD, High-Frequency Gravitational Wave Communications, April 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD examines whether high-frequency gravitational waves could serve as a communications medium while avoiding the attenuation that limits radio-frequency systems. The report surveys proposed transmitter and detector concepts, argues that gravitational-wave communications could support secure point-to-point links, timing standards, and interplanetary navigation, and gives particular attention to laboratory generator concepts and the Li-Baker detector as possible building blocks for such a system. The document makes clear, however, that the entire concept depends on capabilities that had not been demonstrated in practice, including laboratory-scale generation and reliable detection of usable high-frequency gravitational-wave signals. It is an exploratory systems-oriented review built around a future communications concept.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D139, AAWSAP DIRD, Traversable Wormholes, Stargates, and Negative Energy, April 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD examines traversable wormholes and “stargates” as hypothetical spacetime structures within general relativity that theoretically offer a means of faster-than-light travel or communication. The report focuses extensively on the requirement for exotic, negative-energy matter to stabilize and keep such geometries open for the passage of macro-scale objects. It reviews standard wormhole models, describes a flat-throated “stargate” variant, and argues that violations of general relativity's standard energy conditions do not physically rule such structures out, citing microscopic, transient negative-energy effects observed in Casimir-type laboratory phenomena. However, the document acknowledges that the transition from microscopic quantum fluctuations to macroscopic engineering is an unresolved barrier. While small-scale negative-energy effects are observable, there is no known mechanism to generate, concentrate, or stabilize the amounts of exotic matter proposed to be required to sustain a traversable macroscopic wormhole. Ultimately, while the paper frames wormhole concepts within accepted relativistic physics, it confirms that the gap between theoretical models and any realizable technology remains enormous.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D138, AAWSAP DIRD, Warp Drive, Dark Energy, and the Manipulation of Extra Dimensions, April 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD examines whether a warp-propulsion concept can be grounded in known theoretical physics by linking general-relativistic warp metrics with dark energy, Casimir effects, and higher-dimensional models from string theory and brane cosmology. The paper hypothesizes that if dark energy arises from vacuum effects and originates in extra dimensions, then a future technology capable of manipulating those dimensions might be capable of altering local spacetime expansion to generate a warp bubble. While framed as a method to mitigate the astronomical energy demands of more traditional warp models, the report acknowledges that this concept relies entirely on unverified assumptions; namely, the physical reality, stability, and macroscopic controllability of extra dimensions. Consequently, while the paper draws on mainstream theoretical physics concepts, the speculative chain linking them lacks empirical support and offers no viable engineering pathway toward a functioning propulsion system.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D137, AAWSAP DIRD, State of the Art and Evolution of High-Energy Lasers, March 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD surveys the development of high-energy laser weapons and notes that, although lasers had already become important military tools for ranging, guidance, and other lower-power uses, true weapon-class systems remained limited by power generation, beam control, atmospheric propagation, and logistics. The report reviews major laser types along with the optical, tracking, and thermal-management systems needed to make them militarily useful. It argues that high-energy lasers can offer important advantages over kinetic weapons in speed, precision, and low collateral damage, especially against softer or fast-moving targets, while also emphasizing that practical deployment has long been hindered by hazardous chemical fuels, thermal blooming in the atmosphere, power-supply constraints for mobile systems, and waste-heat removal.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D136, AAWSAP DIRD, Biosensors and BioMEMS: A Survey of the Present Field, March 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD surveys biosensors and BioMEMS, a broad class of miniature biomedical devices that combine microscale engineering with sensing, fluid handling, stimulation, or drug-delivery functions. The report reviews major application areas including implantable blood-chemistry sensors, neural interfaces, neurostimulation, drug-delivery pumps, microfluidic systems, and emerging nanoscale extensions of the field, while emphasizing that miniaturization can improve sensitivity and enable functions that are difficult or impossible at larger scales. However, it also makes clear that practical development is constrained by biocompatibility, long-term stability, sensor drift, device degradation inside the body, and the high regulatory burden associated with implantable medical systems. The document presents BioMEMS as a rapidly growing and productive field whose future advances are likely to come through continued improvements in fabrication, materials, and reliability.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D135, AAWSAP DIRD, Antigravity for Aerospace Applications, March 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD surveys a range of proposed “antigravity,” or gravitational control, concepts for aerospace applications, drawing mainly from Newtonian gravity, general relativity, cosmology, and quantum field theory to hypothesize that gravity might someday be reduced, counteracted, or redirected as a means of propulsion. The report reviews mechanisms including ultra-dense matter, gravitomagnetic effects, relativistic moving masses, negative energy, dark or vacuum energy, and quantum vacuum or dispersion-force approaches, while presenting some of these ideas as theoretically permissible under extreme, idealized conditions within established physics. However, it notes that any practical implementation faces currently insurmountable engineering barriers, including astronomical energy requirements, currently unproven exotic matter conditions, kilometer-scale or otherwise unbuildable apparatuses, and highly immature experimental foundations. Although the report draws on broadly accepted theoretical concepts, its implication that those concepts might eventually yield viable “antigravity” propulsion systems deviates significantly from mainstream physics consensus.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D134, AAWSAP DIRD, Maverick Inventor Versus Corporate Inventor: Where Will the Next Major Innovations Arise, March 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD compares lone “maverick” inventors with researchers working inside larger organizations in order to ask where major future breakthroughs are most likely to come from, especially in unconventional energy and propulsion. It concludes that the strongest candidates are technically trained, relatively independent, and flexible researchers working with some freedom from institutional constraint. Because that preferred profile closely resembles the kind of researcher who appears to have authored or shaped much of the broader AAWSAP DIRD effort, the document reflects a notable methodological circularity, validating the program’s operational model rather than neutrally assessing the innovation ecosystem.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D133, AAWSAP DIRD, The Space Communication Implications of Quantum Entanglement and Nonlocality, March 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD reviews quantum entanglement and nonlocality with a focus on whether those phenomena might be usable as a means of faster-than-light communication between observers, especially for real-time space operations over interplanetary distances. The report surveys the relevant quantum experiments and no-signal theorems, then examines proposed communication schemes based mainly on momentum-entangled photons, including scenarios involving superluminal and retro-causal signaling. However, it repeatedly acknowledges that the central question remains unresolved experimentally, and it gives substantial attention to the coherence-versus-entanglement tradeoff and other features of standard quantum mechanics that may prevent usable signaling even if non-local correlations are experimentally validated. Overall, the document is an exploratory analysis of whether quantum nonlocality could conceivably support a practical communications application rather than a demonstration of prospective utility.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D132, AAWSAP DIRD, Advanced Space Propulsion Based on Vacuum (Spacetime Metric) Engineering, March 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD examines the idea of vacuum or spacetime-metric engineering: the possibility that an unspecified future technology might alter the structure of spacetime in ways useful for propulsion, power generation, or extremely rapid long-distance travel. Using general relativity as a model-independent framework, it explores the physical effects that would theoretically follow if such metric changes could be artificially induced, including altered time rates, changes in effective mass, modified light propagation, gravity-like effects, and warp-drive propulsion. The document does not propose any mechanism for generating these effects and treats these physical consequences as an assumed result of spacetime manipulation rather than as the outcome of a practical engineering pathway. It also emphasizes that the energy requirements predicted by current theory to create such effects are far beyond existing technological capability.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D131, AAWSAP DIRD, The Role of Superconductors in Gravity Research, March 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD is a historical survey of efforts to determine whether superconductors might play a role in producing, detecting, or modifying gravity-related effects in a laboratory setting. It reviews the main theoretical and experimental lines of work in that area and attempts to connect superconducting materials with gravitational-wave or propulsion-related concepts. Because the topic is highly contested within the scientific literature, the report spends substantial attention on experiments of disputed value and on controversial theories, especially claims that rotating or energized superconductors might generate anomalous gravitational effects. Overall, the document treats the subject as an exploratory research area with potentially major implications if any real effect were verified, while also making clear that the evidentiary base remained weak, that prominent claims had not been convincingly replicated, and that both the underlying theory and the experimental record remained deeply disputed.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D130, AAWSAP DIRD, Technological Approaches to Controlling External Devices, March 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD surveys brain-machine interface technologies intended to allow users to control external devices without conventional manual controls, and it evaluates both noninvasive and invasive approaches for turning neural or related physiological signals into usable commands. The report reviews the underlying neural signals, distinguishes between open- and closed-loop control systems, and examines technologies including scalp-based electrical recording, magnetic and imaging-based methods, and implanted cortical interfaces, with particular attention to bandwidth, response time, signal quality, and practical usability. It concludes that, in the near term, the most practical systems are likely to be noninvasive electrical approaches that draw heavily on muscle and neural signals, while longer-term high-bandwidth control would likely require more advanced invasive interfaces capable of robust two-way communication with individual neurons. The document presents thought-based control of external devices as a research field with plausible assistive and specialized applications, while emphasizing that naturalistic, high-performance control remained constrained by major technical and physiological limits.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D129, AAWSAP DIRD, Metallic Spintronics, March 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD surveys metallic spintronics, a branch of electronics that seeks to use both the electric charge and the magnetic spin of electrons to store, detect, and manipulate information, and argues that the field could lead to faster, lower-power, and more radiation-resistant devices than conventional semiconductor electronics. The report focuses on two main effects: giant magnetoresistance (GMR), which allows magnetic states to be read through changes in electrical resistance, and spin-transfer torque (STT), which allows electrical currents to change those magnetic states. The DIRD reviews their underlying physics, the experimental work then available, and possible applications in memory, sensors, oscillators, and logic devices. The document treats metallic spintronics as a promising field while emphasizing that many of its more advanced proposed applications still require substantial further development.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D128, AAWSAP DIRD, Anomalous Acute and Subacute Field Effects on Human Biological Tissues, March 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD surveys reported acute and subacute injuries allegedly associated with close exposure to anomalous field effects, attempting to draw tentative parallels between these claimed symptoms and the known physiological effects of intense radiofrequency .and microwave exposure on human tissue. By reviewing medical and biophysical literature on heating, burns, neurological effects, and sensory disturbances, the report speculates on theoretical mechanisms by which intense electromagnetic fields might account for some of the reported injury patterns, though it does not establish a direct causal link between the reported injuries and any specific source. It hypothesizes that clinical symptoms and reported exposure circumstances might allow for highly constrained, limited inferences regarding the characteristics of an unknown emitter or propulsion system. Notably, the document’s findings rely heavily on case comparisons lacking physical examinations, untestable exposure conditions, and a mix of established science and more controversial literature. These comparisons are then extended to anomalous-craft scenarios, attempting to map known electromagnetic injury mechanisms onto anomalous encounter claims that lack independent scientific validation in the report.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D127, AAWSAP DIRD, An Introduction to the Statistical Drake Equation, March 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD introduces the Drake Equation, a well-known thought framework for estimating how many communicative extraterrestrial civilizations might exist in the galaxy. It reformulates the equation in statistical terms, arguing that the usual approach of assigning fixed values to its variables is too simplistic because major inputs are uncertain and are better modeled as probability distributions. Using that approach, it concludes that, if one accepts the underlying logic of the Drake Equation, the estimated number of communicating civilizations should be treated as a range of possible values, and that the likely distance between neighboring civilizations can likewise be expressed statistically rather than as a single figure. The document is primarily a mathematical and methodological exercise, and its worked examples rely on assumed values to illustrate the framework rather than to establish a firm astrophysical estimate. Overall, it is an attempt to formalize uncertainty within the Drake framework rather than an attempt to bound the actual likelihood, prevalence, or proximity of extraterrestrial civilizations.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D126, AAWSAP DIRD, Advanced Nuclear Propulsion for Manned Deep Space Missions, March 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD examines advanced nuclear propulsion for crewed deep-space travel and argues that human missions beyond the Moon would require propulsion systems with both very high thrust and very high specific impulse, which the author contends are difficult to achieve with conventional chemical, nuclear-thermal, and nuclear-electric systems. The report focuses on concepts derived from Project Orion, the discontinued General Atomics nuclear pulse propulsion study sponsored first by ARPA and later by the U.S. Air Force between 1958 and 1965, in which a spacecraft would be driven by repeated nuclear explosions. In this case, the DIRD emphasizes small non-fission-triggered fusion explosions using deuterium, magnetic mirrors, and other unconventional ignition concepts intended to avoid the inefficiencies associated with small fission devices. It presents these ideas as a possible pathway to crewed missions across the solar system, while also linking them to broader visions of long-range human expansion into space. The document is exploratory in character and depends on several unproven ignition methods, enabling technologies, and engineering assumptions. Overall, it is a theoretical examination of fusion-based pulse propulsion concepts rather than as a documentary account of a technology nearing practical realization.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D125, AAWSAP DIRD, Inertial Electrostatic Confinement Fusion, March 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD surveys inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC) fusion, a relatively unconventional fusion concept that uses electric fields rather than the more established magnetic or laser-based approaches to confine ions, and it reviews both the underlying physics and the experimental work associated with the concept. The report emphasizes that IEC may have nearer-term value as a compact neutron, proton, or x-ray source and as a platform for studying experimental fusion approaches, while also presenting more ambitious possibilities such as aneutronic power generation and propulsion applications. At the same time, it makes clear that the concept remained far from practical fusion power, with experimental devices operating several orders of magnitude below breakeven and with major unresolved issues involving confinement, losses, grid damage, and scale-up. Overall, the document treats IEC as a technically interesting but still highly speculative path toward fusion energy, while suggesting that its more limited spin-off applications were more plausible in the near term than its long-range power generation or propulsion applications.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D124, AAWSAP DIRD, Space Access: Where We’ve Been and Where We Could Go, March 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD is a historical and conceptual survey of space access systems, contending that the main barrier to routine access to space is a failure to build durable, reliable, operational hardware and the supporting infrastructure needed for regular service to and from low Earth orbit. The report reviews earlier launch and aerospace concepts, especially reusable and aircraft-like approaches, and suggests that U.S. space access development became too strongly centered on expendable rockets derived from ballistic missiles rather than bespoke systems designed for repeated space access and payload delivery. Its central claim is that meaningful future progress will depend on creating a purpose-built space transportation infrastructure, including frequent round-trip capability and orbital support networks, rather than continuing to rely on one-off launch vehicles. Overall, the document presents a forceful case for infrastructure-first space development, though its characterization of past technological choices is more assertive than a fully neutral account of past U.S. space programming.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D123, AAWSAP DIRD, Positron Aerospace Propulsion, March 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD examines positrons as a possible fuel for advanced aerospace propulsion, arguing that antimatter offers extraordinary energy density and could, in principle, support applications ranging from long-endurance aircraft and missiles to single-stage launch vehicles, onboard power systems, and crewed Mars missions. At the same time, it makes clear that the concept depends on resolving major unsolved problems in producing positrons in sufficient quantities and storing them safely for long periods, and much of the document’s discussion of flight systems and Mars missions remains conceptual rather than closely tied to demonstrated engineering practice. Its overall conclusion is that positron propulsion is theoretically attractive, but remains highly speculative as a practical technology because its core production and storage requirements remain unsolved.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D122, AAWSAP DIRD, Invisibility Cloaking Theory and Experiments, March 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD surveys the theory and early experiments behind invisibility cloaking, describing several ways an object might be hidden from visual or sensor detection, including camouflage, transparency effects, and optical cloaking that bends light around an object. It focuses mainly on metamaterials, negative refraction, and transformation optics, and reviews experiments that had already demonstrated limited cloaking at microwave frequencies. The report argues that “imperfect” cloaking is physically achievable in some parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, especially for microwaves, but that “perfect” cloaking is not practical because it would require material properties that conflict with the underlying physics. Its overall conclusion is that cloaking is a scientific field with plausible narrow applications, but that useful visible-light cloaking depends more on future theoretical breakthroughs than on conventional advances in materials science.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D121, AAWSAP DIRD, Pulsed High-Power Microwave Source Technology, January 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD surveys pulsed high-power microwave (HPM) source technology and argues that such systems remain of military interest because they can disrupt or damage electronic systems with short, intense electromagnetic pulses. The report reviews the main source types and the supporting technologies they depend on, including high-voltage insulation, switching, cathode materials, antennas, and pulse-power generation. It emphasizes the difficulty of building systems that are compact, efficient, and practical to field, since short pulse durations, antenna size, heating, detectability, and beam or signal quality all impose hard engineering limits. Its overall conclusion is that the technology has significant potential military value, but that further progress depends on advances in cathodes, predictive modeling, high-speed high-voltage switching, and low-loss insulation, while compact ultrawideband systems will remain difficult because of basic physical constraints on antenna design.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D120, AAWSAP DIRD, Materials for Advanced Aerospace Platforms, January 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD surveys the structural materials needed for advanced aerospace platforms and argues that material choice cannot be separated from overall vehicle design, because launch vehicles, space vehicles, reusable systems, and propulsion hardware each face different temperature, durability, weight, and manufacturing constraints. The report reviews a range of candidate material classes, including advanced aluminum alloys; polymer-, aluminum-, and titanium-matrix composites; titanium alloys; nickel-base alloys; refractory metals; ceramic-matrix composites; carbon-carbon composites; and titanium aluminides. It emphasizes that balancing performance against practical limits such as fabrication methods, cost, inspection, contamination control, and service environment remains a major challenge. Its overall conclusion is that many promising materials exist, but their usefulness depends on application-specific tradeoffs and on closer integration of material selection with design and manufacturing, with some systems judged to be more valuable targets for development than others.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D119, AAWSAP DIRD, Biomaterials, January 2010
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD is a broad survey of biomaterials, including metals, polymers, ceramics, glasses, and composites designed to interact with living tissue, and argues that their value depends mainly on biocompatibility, reliability, and careful matching of material properties to specific medical uses. The report reviews major application areas including biosensors, implants, cardiovascular devices, contact lenses, drug delivery systems, tissue constructs, titanium devices, and dialysis membranes, emphasizing that no single biomaterial works best in every setting. Its overall conclusion is that biomaterials are already foundational to a large medical-device industry and save or improve millions of lives, but that progress tends to be slow because safety testing is stringent; as a result, most advances come from improved ways of applying established materials such as silicone, Teflon, biodegradable polymers, ceramics, and titanium in new devices and clinical settings rather than from radically new substances.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D118, AAWSAP DIRD, Aerospace Applications of Programmable Matter, December 2009
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD describes “programmable matter” as smart materials whose properties can be changed on command, potentially allowing spacecraft components to change function through software updates rather than physical repair or replacement. The report suggests that such materials could someday enable adjustable sensors, smart windows, heat control, energy collection, active camouflage, and systems that switch between different functions, making spacecraft more flexible and adaptable. At the same time, it presents the idea as highly speculative and emphasizes major technical obstacles, including manufacturing at extremely small scales, shielding against radiation and electromagnetic interference, managing temperature effects, reducing component failures, and preventing hacking or malicious control. Overall, the document presents programmable matter as a promising long-term concept over the next 50 years, while judging that simpler near-term uses such as smart windows and energy-saving surface materials are far more realistic than the more ambitious aerospace applications.
PDFDoD / AARO · Las Vegas, Nevada
DOW-UAP-D117, AAWSAP DIRD, Metallic Glasses for Aerospace Applications, December 2009
This document is a Defense Intelligence Reference Document (DIRD), a technical reference format used by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to capture baseline knowledge on a specific topic for later analytic use. DIRDs are best understood as reference and synthesis products rather than as original research. It is one of 38 DIRDs produced under the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) between 2009 and 2011. Because AAWSAP’s scope permitted a broad range of supporting topics, not every DIRD in the series directly concerns aerospace systems or future threat assessment. The following summary reflects the DIRD’s scope and framing at the time of writing and should not be read as implying current validation of the concepts discussed. This DIRD surveys metallic glasses as a potentially important class of aerospace materials and describes their amorphous structure as offering very high strength and unusual manufacturing advantages, but also significant drawbacks, especially poor ductility and fatigue resistance. The document concludes that the most promising aerospace applications are likely to come from metallic-glass-matrix composites rather than single-phase glasses, because these composites can retain high strength while greatly improving fracture toughness and fatigue performance, potentially enough to substitute for high-strength steels in some space-limited structural uses. At the same time, the report judges that broader aerospace use will depend on substantial progress over the next 20–50 years in alloy design, processing, and especially the development of lightweight systems, including aluminum-based options.
PDFDoD / AARO · Washington, D.C.
DOW-UAP-D116, AAWSAP Contract Modification P00005, September 2010
This document is an administrative or programmatic record related to the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP), a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)-administered program active from 2008 to 2012. AAWSAP’s official scope of work identified 12 technical research areas relating to potential aerospace threats over a time horizon of more than 40 years. As an administrative record, the file documents how AAWSAP was scoped, organized, tasked, funded, or described at a particular point in time. This September 2010 contract modification extends the period of performance for the AAWSAP contract (HHM402-08-C-0072) from September 22, 2010, to December 21, 2010. The modification states that no additional funding was required for the extension and that no other changes were made to the contract. This bridge action extended AAWSAP contractor support beyond the previously established performance end date without changing the underlying scope of work.
PDFDoD / AARO · Washington, D.C.
DOW-UAP-D115, AAWSAP Contract Modification P00004, May 2010
This document is an administrative or programmatic record related to the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP), a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)-administered program active from 2008 to 2012. AAWSAP’s official scope of work identified 12 technical research areas relating to potential aerospace threats over a time horizon of more than 40 years. As an administrative record, the file documents how AAWSAP was scoped, organized, tasked, funded, or described at a particular point in time. This May 2010 contract modification records a minor administrative action associated with the AAWSAP contract (HHM402-08-C-0072) to align internal recordkeeping with a change to the Contracting Officer’s Representative documented in a separate contract modification (P00003).
PDFDoD / AARO · Washington, D.C.
DOW-UAP-D114, AAWSAP Contract Modification P00003, May 2010
This document is an administrative or programmatic record related to the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP), a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)-administered program active from 2008 to 2012. AAWSAP’s official scope of work identified 12 technical research areas relating to potential aerospace threats over a time horizon of more than 40 years. As an administrative record, the file documents how AAWSAP was scoped, organized, tasked, funded, or described at a particular point in time. This May 2010 contract modification is an administrative change to contract HHM402-08-C-0072. The modification states that its purpose is to change the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) designation for the AAWSAP contract and identifies the newly designated COR while specifying that guidance from the COR must comply with the contract’s governing terms. In effect, the file is best understood as an internal contract-administration update reflecting oversight realignment rather than a substantive change to AAWSAP’s research deliverables or program direction.
PDFDoD / AARO · Washington, D.C.
DOW-UAP-D113, AAWSAP Contract Modification P00002, February 2010
This document is an administrative or programmatic record related to the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP), a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)-administered program active from 2008 to 2012. AAWSAP’s official scope of work identified 12 technical research areas relating to potential aerospace threats over a time horizon of more than 40 years. As an administrative record, the file documents how AAWSAP was scoped, organized, tasked, funded, or described at a particular point in time. This February 2010 contract modification provides funding for the exercise of Option Year 1 under contract HHM402-08-C-0072 and removes the availability-of-funds contingency that had been imposed in modification P00001. It also states that the modification identifies impacts to deliverables resulting from reduced Option Year 1 funding and incorporates revised documentation showing how Fiscal Year 2010 funds would be used. The modification converts the previously contingent option-year continuation into a funded contract action while acknowledging that reduced funding would affect the planned scope or timing of deliverables.
PDFDoD / AARO · Washington, D.C.
DOW-UAP-D112, AAWSAP Contract Modification P00001, September 2009
This document is an administrative or programmatic record related to the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP), a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)-administered program active from 2008 to 2012. AAWSAP’s official scope of work identified 12 technical research areas relating to potential aerospace threats over a time horizon of more than 40 years. As an administrative record, the file documents how AAWSAP was scoped, organized, tasked, funded, or described at a particular point in time. This September 2009 contract modification formally extends the Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS) contract through 30 September 2009, revises the option-year dates to run from 1 October 2009 through 30 September 2010, and exercises the first option year subject to the availability of appropriated funds. The document carries forward the same major deliverable categories as the original contract.
PDFDoD / AARO · Washington, D.C.
DOW-UAP-D111, AAWSAP Solicitation and Original Order, September 2008
This document is an administrative or programmatic record related to the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP), a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)-administered program active from 2008 to 2012. AAWSAP’s official scope of work identified 12 technical research areas relating to potential aerospace threats over a time horizon of more than 40 years. As an administrative record, the file documents how AAWSAP was scoped, organized, tasked, funded, or described at a particular point in time. This September 2008 solicitation/contract/order document serves as the original contract award instrument for AAWSAP work performed by Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies, Inc. (BAASS), incorporating the contractor’s proposal by reference and translating the earlier Statement of Objectives (DOW-UAP-D110) into priced contract line items. The file breaks the base year into specific deliverable categories, including monthly status reports, program management plans for the 12 technical areas, research reports, a comprehensive integrated threat assessment, travel, and other direct costs, and corresponding option-year line items for follow-on performance.
PDFDoD / AARO · Washington, D.C.
DOW-UAP-D110, AAWSAP Statement of Objectives, July 2008
This document is an administrative or programmatic record related to the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP), a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)-administered program active from 2008 to 2012. AAWSAP’s official scope of work identified 12 technical research areas relating to potential aerospace threats over a time horizon of more than 40 years. As an administrative record, the file documents how AAWSAP was scoped, organized, tasked, funded, or described at a particular point in time. This July 2008 Statement of Objectives defines AAWSAP as a contractor-supported research effort intended to assess far-term foreign aerospace threats by understanding the physics and engineering of possible breakthrough technologies out to the year 2050 rather than extrapolating from then-current aerospace trends. It identifies 12 technical study areas, including lift, propulsion, control, power generation, spatial or temporal translation, materials, configuration and structure, signature reduction, human interface, human effects, armament, and related supporting topics. The document also sets out the program’s expected work structure, requiring monthly status reports, technical-area program management plans within 60 days, comprehensive research reports and briefings by the tenth month, and a final integrated threat assessment.
PDFDoD / AARO · Iraq
DOW-UAP-D109, Mission Report, Middle East, 2022
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO). The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. This mission report accompanies video footage derived from an infrared system aboard a U.S. military platform in 2022 (DOW-UAP-PR140 and DOW-UAP-PR141). A U.S. military operator reported observing UAP, describing it as consisting of “six small spherical objects grouped together. They characterized the behavior of the UAP as “seem[ingle] agile,” and “frequently changing direction.” The reporter estimated the speed of the UAP to have been 480 miles per hour. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Middle East
DOW-UAP-D108, Mission Report, Middle East, 2025
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO). The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. This mission report accompanies video footage derived from an infrared system aboard a U.S. military platform in 2025 (DOW-UAP-PR135). A U.S. military operator reported observing UAP, describing it as consisting of “six small spherical objects grouped together, and characterized their behavior as “seem[ingle] agile,” and “frequently changing direction.” The reporter estimated the speed of the UAP to have been 480 miles per hour. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Middle East
DOW-UAP-D107, Mission Report, Middle East, 2025
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO). The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. This mission report accompanies video footage derived from an infrared system aboard a U.S. military platform in 2025 (DOW-UAP-PR133). A U.S. military operator reported observing UAP, describing it as “look[ing] like a white round orbit… moving as fast as 500 miles per hour.” All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Iraq
DOW-UAP-D106, Mission Report, Iraq, 2022
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO). The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. This mission report accompanies still imagery derived from an infrared system aboard a U.S. military platform in 2022 (DOW-UAP-PR130 and DOW-UAP-PR 131). A U.S. military operator reported observing UAP “flying sporadically within the target area… at various speeds between 80 and 180 miles per hour.” The reporter estimates the size of the UAP as between 1 and 2 meters (approximately 3-6 feet), and states that they were unable to determine the altitude of the phenomena. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Various
DOW-UAP-D105, U.S. Air Force Flying Discs File, 1952
This file is an archival collection of U.S. Air Force Director of Intelligence records relating to reported “flying disc” incidents during the period from September through December 1952. Drawn from multiple governmental and non-governmental sources, it compiles a wide range of material associated with reported sightings and official handling of those observations, rather than presenting a single analytical conclusion on the nature or origin of “flying discs.” The contents include correspondence, memoranda, reporting forms, case summaries, distribution and routing material, and other administrative or intelligence-related documentation tied to flying-disc reporting and review during that period. Pages 26-36 of the file refer to an incident reported near Tremonton, Utah, in July 1952, in which a U.S. Navy Warrant Officer recorded film of unidentified objects that the Air Force later assessed were likely seabirds. Overall, the file is a broad documentary collection reflecting how such reports were recorded, circulated, and evaluated in late 1952.
PDFDoD / AARO
DOW-UAP-D104, Final Personnel Record for Newhouse, Delbert C., U.S. Navy, 1957
This file contains the final personnel record of U.S. Navy Chief Warrant Officer Delbert C. Newhouse, who left naval service as a Chief Warrant Officer 4, then the highest Warrant Officer grade. In July 1952, Newhouse recorded 16mm motion-picture film near Tremonton, Utah; the film later became the subject of a Project Blue Book investigation. Project Blue Book was the U.S. Air Force program active from 1952 to 1969 that investigated the nature and origin of unidentified flying objects (UFOs). In addition to documenting routine assignments and training, the file records Newhouse’s career progression as a Photographer’s Mate, a Navy enlisted specialty responsible for photography and related imaging work. Project Blue Book investigators characterized Newhouse as an expert photographer based on his naval experience.
PDFDoD / AARO · Tremonton, Utah
DOW-UAP-D103, Project Blue Book Photo File Relating to Tremonton Film, Utah, 1952
During its investigation of a July 1952 film of an incident reported near Tremonton, Utah, Project Blue Book examined whether the objects recorded on film might have been “pillow balloons.” Project Blue Book was a U.S. Air Force program active from 1952 to 1969 that investigated the nature and origin of unidentified flying objects (UFOs). In December 1952, investigators contacted General Mills, Inc., the only known manufacturer of pillow balloons at the time, to determine whether a balloon release could account for the incident. The file includes example imagery of pillow balloons supplied by General Mills Research Laboratories. In late December 1952, Project Blue Book personnel, balloon specialists, and representatives from General Mills reviewed the Tremonton footage. The group’s consensus was that the objects closely resembled pillow balloons in flight and behaved consistently with that explanation. One General Mills representative was less convinced, noting that the objects appeared somewhat too bright and seemed to maneuver too rapidly. The reviewers also questioned previous angular-velocity calculations suggesting that the objects moved at a high rate of speed because those calculations depended on the unverified assumption that the camera operator had held the camera still during filming. Subsequent efforts to identify a pillow-balloon release in the Tremonton area were unsuccessful. The file also considered seabirds as a possible explanation, citing similar films showing seabirds as bright points of light under comparable conditions. Later Air Force assessments favored the seabird attribution.
PDFDoD / AARO · Tremonton, Utah
DOW-UAP-D102, Project Blue Book File on Tremonton Film, Utah, 1952
This document records the Project Blue Book investigation and subsequent assessments of an incident near Tremonton, Utah, on July 2, 1952. Project Blue Book was a 1952-1969 U.S. Air Force program to investigate the nature and origin of unidentified flying objects (UFOs). The file describes the Air Force’s assessment of the principal witness, Delbert C. Newhouse, a U.S. Navy Warrant Officer specializing in photography, as honest and reliable, and as an expert with more than 1,000 hours of aerial-photography experience. Newhouse reported observing 12 to 14 reflective objects and recorded the event on color motion-picture film using a handheld Bell & Howell Auto Master camera. The file reflects an evolving Air Force assessment of the imagery over several years. Early documentation considered several possible explanations, including sunlight reflecting from birds or balloons, and a mirage effect, and did not identify the objects conclusively. Later assessments became more confident that the objects were seabirds reflecting sunlight, citing identifiable seabirds and similar films showing seabirds as bright points of light under comparable conditions. However, the film’s limited detail and lack of fixed reference points prevented reliable determination of the objects’ distance, size, altitude, or linear speed from the film alone. AARO Comment: The file contains conflicting references to the film format. Several documents describe a 35mm film, while contemporaneous submission documentation identifies the original as a 50-foot roll of processed 16mm Kodachrome color motion-picture film recorded with a handheld Bell & Howell Auto Master camera. Newhouse reported exposing approximately 30 feet of the roll during the incident and using the remaining film later that day to record unrelated mountain scenery in Idaho. Other records show that 35mm positive and negative duplicate blowups were produced from the original 16mm material. The file also indicates that the original film was duplicated for preservation, citing its deteriorating condition. The footage retained by the National Archives and Records Administration and presented in this collection as DOW-UAP-PR159 is a digitization of a 16mm print.
Released August 7, 2026 · U.S. Department of War
19 records in this release
VIDEODoD / AARO · Middle East
DOW-UAP-PR149, Unresolved UAP Report, Middle East, 2023
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 51 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2023. Video description: 00:00-00:04: An area of contrast transits the frame from the bottom right edge to the lower left edge of the sensor field-of-view. 00:05-00:51: The sensor pans to track the area of contrast, keeping it generally within the center of the frame. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Middle East
DOW-UAP-PR142, Unresolved UAP Report, Middle East, 2025
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 14 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2025. Video description: 00:00-00:04: No content. 00:05-00:08: An area of contrast enters the sensor field-of-view from the left edge, transits from left to right, and exits the right edge of the frame. 00:09-00:14: No content. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Middle East
DOW-UAP-PR136, Unresolved UAP Report, Middle East, 2023
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 30 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2023. Video description: 00:00-00:08: The sensor pans to track an area of contrast, keeping it generally centered within the frame. The sensor is partially occluded by a component of the platform passing in front of it, obscuring the background. 00:09-00:33: The sensor zooms in on the area of contrast. A reticle briefly surrounds the area of contrast. The sensor is occluded by a component of the platform, obscuring the display. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Middle East
DOW-UAP-PR134, Unresolved UAP Report, Middle East, 2025
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 1 minute and 39 seconds of video footage from an electro-optical and infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2025. Video description: 00:00-01:39: The sensor pans to track an area of contrast from left to right across the background, keeping it generally centered within the frame. The sensor adjusts collection mode and level of magnification several times. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Pacific Ocean
DOW-UAP-PR127, Unresolved UAP Report, Pacific Ocean, 2019
The United States Navy Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF) transferred this media to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) in 2022. The video contains 2 minutes and 29 seconds of footage captured via a hand-held recording device by a U.S. military service member in 2019. Low-light conditions at the time of capture influence the overall visual quality of the footage. The footage contained within DOW-UAP-PR123 through DOW-UAP-PR127 was captured contemporaneously. This media was digitally altered before being reported to AARO, and is presented as it was received. Video description: 00:00-00:17: The camera pans to track an apparent light source. 00:18-00:26: No content. 00:27-00:43: The camera pans to track an apparent light source. 00:44-00:47: No content. 00:47-00:49: The camera pans to track an apparent light source. 00:50-00:52: No content. 00:53-00:57: The camera pans to track an apparent light source. 00:57-01:02: No content. 01:02-02:28: The camera pans to track an apparent light source. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Pacific Ocean
DOW-UAP-PR126, Unresolved UAP Report, Pacific Ocean, 2019
The United States Navy Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF) transferred this media to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) in 2022. The video contains 2 minutes and 32 seconds of footage captured via hand-held recording device by a U.S. military service member in 2019. Low-light conditions at the time of capture influence the overall visual quality of the footage. The footage contained within DOW-UAP-PR123 through DOW-UAP-PR127 was captured contemporaneously. This media was digitally altered before being reported to AARO, and is presented as it was received. Video description: 00:00-00:08: The camera pans against the background, bringing two apparent light sources into frame from the top left corner. The recording device focuses on the light sources, keeping them generally within the center of the frame. 00:09-00:53: The camera pans against the background. As the camera pans, it repeatedly brings several apparent light sources into and out of the frame. 00:54-01:23: The sensor zooms in on the light source in the lower left quarter of the frame, focusing to bring it into the center of the field-of-view. 01:24-02:32: The sensor zooms out and continues to pan to track apparent light sources. As the camera pans, it repeatedly brings several apparent light sources into and out of the frame. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Pacific Ocean
DOW-UAP-PR125, Unresolved UAP Report, Pacific Ocean, 2019
The United States Navy Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF) transferred this media to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) in 2022. The video contains 28 seconds of footage. This footage is a secondary capture, recorded via a hand-held recording device, of an infrared sensor display aboard a U.S. military platform. This footage does not represent native primary sensor data, and the secondary recording method introduces limitations in fidelity, resolution, and overall visual quality. Artifacts inherent to filming a screen, such as blurring or flickering, may be present. The footage contained within DOW-UAP-PR123 through DOW-UAP-PR127 was captured contemporaneously. This media was digitally altered before being reported to AARO, and is presented as it was received. Video description: 00:00-00:05: An area of contrast remains generally centered within the sensor field-of-view. 00:06-00:09: The area of contrast tracks left within the sensor field-of-view. 00:10-00:15: The area of contrast loses distinctiveness against the background. 00:16-00:22: An area of contrast appears in the sensor field-of-view. The sensor pans to track it, keeping it generally within the center of the frame. 00:23-00:28: The area of contrast remains generally centered within the sensor field-of-view. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Pacific Ocean
DOW-UAP-PR124, Unresolved UAP Report, Pacific Ocean, 2019
The United States Navy Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF) transferred this media to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) in 2022. The video contains 53 seconds of footage. This footage is a secondary capture, recorded via a hand-held recording device, of an infrared sensor display aboard a U.S. military platform. This footage does not represent native primary sensor data, and the secondary recording method introduces limitations in fidelity, resolution, and overall visual quality. Artifacts inherent to filming a screen, such as blurring or flickering, may be present. The footage contained within DOW-UAP-PR123 through DOW-UAP-PR127 was captured contemporaneously. This media was digitally altered before being reported to AARO, and is presented as it was received. Video description: 00:00-00:01: An area of contrast remains generally centered within the sensor field-of-view. 00:02-00:29: The sensor zooms in on the area of contrast. 00:30-00:53: The area of contrast loses distinctiveness against the background. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Pacific Ocean
DOW-UAP-PR123, Unresolved UAP Report, Pacific Ocean, 2019
The United States Navy Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF) transferred this media to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) in 2022. The video contains 1 minute and 4 seconds of footage. This footage is a secondary capture, recorded via a hand-held recording device, of an infrared sensor display aboard a U.S. military platform. This footage does not represent native primary sensor data, and the secondary recording method introduces limitations in fidelity, resolution, and overall visual quality. Artifacts inherent to filming a screen, such as blurring or flickering, may be present. The footage contained within DOW-UAP-PR123 through DOW-UAP-PR127 was captured contemporaneously. This media was digitally altered before being reported to AARO, and is presented as it was received. Video description: 00:00-00:03: An area of contrast is visible near the center of the frame. 00:04-00:07: The area of contrast loses distinctiveness against the background. 00:08-00:25: An area of contrast becomes visible near the center of the frame. The sensor pans and zooms in to focus on the area of contrast, keeping it generally within the center of the frame. 00:25-01:04: The area of contrast remains generally centered within the sensor field-of-view. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO
DOW-UAP-PR122, Unresolved UAP Report, Gulf of Oman, 2021
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 26 seconds of video footage. This footage is a secondary capture, recorded via a cellular device, of an infrared sensor display aboard a U.S. Special Operations Forces AC-130J Gunship. This footage does not represent native primary sensor data, and the secondary recording method introduces limitations in fidelity, resolution, and overall visual quality. Artifacts inherent to filming a screen, such as blurring or flickering, may be present. The footage contained within DOW-UAP-PR117 through DOW-UAP-PR122 was captured contemporaneously. An accompanying Intelligence Information Report, DOW-UAP-D101, describes the phenomena as “cold orbs” approximately four feet in diameter. Video description: 00:00-00:05: An area of contrast remains generally within the center of the sensor field-of-view. Visual elements of the sensor display enter and exit the frame throughout the duration of the video. 00:06-00:07: A relatively larger area of contrast transits from the bottom of the frame to the top of the sensor’s field-of-view, then re-enters from the top left to the bottom left of the frame. The relatively smaller area of contrast exits the bottom of the frame, and re-enters from the upper-right quarter of the frame. 00:08-00:26: The sensor adjusts, and an area of contrast enters the sensor field-of-view from the top of the frame, and remains generally within the center of the frame. AARO Comment: This video footage significantly overlaps in content with DOW-UAP-PR121. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO
DOW-UAP-PR121, Unresolved UAP Report, Gulf of Oman, 2021
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 34 seconds of video footage. This footage is a secondary capture, recorded via a cellular device, of an infrared sensor display aboard a U.S. Special Operations Forces AC-130J Gunship. This footage does not represent native primary sensor data, and the secondary recording method introduces limitations in fidelity, resolution, and overall visual quality. Artifacts inherent to filming a screen, such as blurring or flickering, may be present. The footage contained within DOW-UAP-PR117 through DOW-UAP-PR122 was captured contemporaneously. An accompanying Intelligence Information Report, DOW-UAP-D101, describes the phenomena as “cold orbs” approximately four feet in diameter. Video description: 00:00-00:12: An area of contrast remains generally within the center of the sensor field-of-view. Visual elements of the sensor display enter and exit the frame throughout the duration of the video. 00:13-00:18: A relatively larger area of contrast transits from the bottom of the frame to the top of the sensor’s field-of-view, then re-enters from the top left to the bottom left of the frame. The relatively smaller area of contrast exits the bottom of the frame, and re-enters from the upper-right quarter of the frame. 00:19-00:34: The sensor adjusts, and an area of contrast enters the sensor field-of-view from the top of the frame, and remains generally within the center of the frame. AARO Comment: This video footage significantly overlaps in content with DOW-UAP-PR122. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO
DOW-UAP-PR120, Unresolved UAP Report, Gulf of Oman, 2021
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 13 seconds of video footage. This footage is a secondary capture, recorded via a cellular device, of an infrared sensor display aboard a U.S. Special Operations Forces AC-130J Gunship. This footage does not represent native primary sensor data, and the secondary recording method introduces limitations in fidelity, resolution, and overall visual quality. Artifacts inherent to filming a screen, such as blurring or flickering, may be present. The footage contained within DOW-UAP-PR117 through DOW-UAP-PR122 was captured contemporaneously. An accompanying Intelligence Information Report, DOW-UAP-D101, describes the phenomena as “cold orbs” approximately four feet in diameter. Video description: 00:00-00:08: An area of contrast remains generally within the center of the sensor field-of-view. Visual elements of the sensor display enter and exit the frame throughout the duration of the video. 00:08-00:13: The sensor changes modalities twice and the area of contrast loses distinctiveness against the background. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO
DOW-UAP-PR119, Unresolved UAP Report, Gulf of Oman, 2021
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of two seconds of video footage. This footage is a secondary capture, recorded via a cellular device, of an infrared sensor display aboard a U.S. Special Operations Forces AC-130J Gunship. This footage does not represent native primary sensor data, and the secondary recording method introduces limitations in fidelity, resolution, and overall visual quality. Artifacts inherent to filming a screen, such as blurring or flickering, may be present. The footage contained within DOW-UAP-PR117 through DOW-UAP-PR122 was captured contemporaneously. An accompanying Intelligence Information Report, DOW-UAP-D101, describes the phenomena as “cold orbs” approximately four feet in diameter. Video description: 00:00-00:02: An area of contrast remains generally within the center of the sensor field-of-view. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO
DOW-UAP-PR118, Unresolved UAP Report, Gulf of Oman, 2021
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 30 seconds of video footage. This footage is a secondary capture, recorded via a cellular device, of an infrared sensor display aboard a U.S. Special Operations Forces AC-130J Gunship. This footage does not represent native primary sensor data, and the secondary recording method introduces limitations in fidelity, resolution, and overall visual quality. Artifacts inherent to filming a screen, such as blurring or flickering, may be present. The footage contained within DOW-UAP-PR117 through DOW-UAP-PR122 was captured contemporaneously. An accompanying Intelligence Information Report, DOW-UAP-D101, describes the phenomena as “cold orbs” approximately four feet in diameter. Video description: 00:00-00:30: An area of contrast remains generally within the center of the sensor field-of-view, momentarily exiting the bottom of the frame. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO
DOW-UAP-PR117, Unresolved UAP Report, Gulf of Oman, 2021
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 16 seconds of video footage. This footage is a secondary capture, recorded via a cellular device, of an infrared sensor display aboard a U.S. Special Operations Forces AC-130J Gunship. This footage does not represent native primary sensor data, and the secondary recording method introduces limitations in fidelity, resolution, and overall visual quality. Artifacts inherent to filming a screen, such as blurring or flickering, may be present. The footage contained within DOW-UAP-PR117 through DOW-UAP-PR122 was captured contemporaneously. An accompanying Intelligence Information Report, DOW-UAP-D101, describes the phenomena as “cold orbs” approximately four feet in diameter. Video description: 00:00-00:16: An area of contrast remains generally within the center of the sensor field-of-view. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
PDFDoD / AARO
DOW-UAP-D101, Intelligence Information Report, Unresolved UAP Report, Gulf of Oman, 2021
This document is an Intelligence Information Report (IIR), the primary standardized format utilized by the Department of War, military services, and the broader Intelligence Community to disseminate unevaluated intelligence information derived from human sources (HUMINT), open sources, and field collection activities. IIRs are not finished intelligence products; they serve as inputs for subsequent all-source intelligence assessments. This report accompanies the footage contained within DOW-UAP-PR117 through DOW-UAP-PR122. This report documents an observation by the aircrew of a U.S. Special Operations Forces (USSOF) AC-130 Gunship on September 8, 2021, during a nighttime live-fire training exercise over the Gulf of Oman. The aircrew reported first observing two unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) after dropping a water-activated flare. The report describes the UAP as stationary, approximately four feet in diameter, 0-20 feet above the water’s surface. Throughout the training sortie, the aircrew reported observing approximately 25 instances involving similar phenomena via infrared sensor, describing them as “cold orbs.” Aircrew visual estimates of the UAP’s apparent speed range from 250 to 1,300 miles per hour. The report characterizes the UAP’s behavior as “maneuvering aggressively,” “flying in various formations,” and appearing to react to deployments of the aircraft’s onboard weapons systems. The aircrew stated that they were unable to capture video footage of the phenomena because the aircraft’s digital video recorder was not functioning during the incident. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO
DOW-UAP-D100, Air Materiel Command Report on Unidentified Flying Objects, 1947-1948
This file is a collection of U.S. Government memoranda and correspondence relating to “Project Sign,” a 1948 U.S. Air Force program to investigate reports of high-performance airborne objects. The documents characterize some of these reports as being consistent with “real” objects rather than fabrications or resulting from perceptual errors. The U.S. Air Force cites the reported characteristics of the phenomena, e.g., high speed and maneuverability, as exceeding known performance envelopes of U.S. military aircraft and thereby presenting a potential national security threat, if validated. This potential threat prompted the Air Force to call on the Air Materiel Command (AMC), the Service’s Major Command for logistics and procurement from 1946 to 1961, to gather further evidence to assess the validity of the reports. The Air Force emphasized that there was an “imperative need” for such evidence to enable appropriate countermeasures. The stated urgency of this request reflects the strategic environment of the early Cold War, a period characterized by heightened national defense concerns amid rapid global advancements in aerospace design and development. In framing the call for an investigation, the Air Force noted that sustained public interest and persistent inquiries from the press may eventually require an official statement in response. AMC’s investigation found that observers were generally not mistaken when reporting that they had seen an airborne object, but that their characterizations of those objects as unusual was likely a reflection of the “limits of their personal experience.” It identified “a great many” of the objects reported with a rounded appearance as “weather or upper air scientific balloons of some type.” It also identified several cases in which the reported objects were most likely celestial phenomena, such as Venus. AMC found that a small number of reports lacked a “reasonable everyday explanation,” but that “so far, no physical evidence of the existence of the unidentified sightings has been obtained.” AMC expressly considered whether the phenomena may have been “vehicles from another planet,” but found no evidence supporting such an origin. Ultimately, AMC found that “there is as yet no conclusive proof that unidentified flying objects, other than those which are known to be balloons, are real aircraft.” In light of these findings, AMC recommended that the Department of War should avoid publicly commenting on the subject of “flying discs.” Responding to the Air Force’s anticipated concerns regarding public interest in the subject, AMC recommended that the Department should reply in terms that minimize the investigation’s inconclusive findings, focusing on positive determinations in cases assessed to be weather balloons and celestial phenomena.
PDFDoD / AARO · Sweden
DOW-UAP-D099, Intelligence Review of “Ghost Rocket” Incidents, 1947
This document is a U.S. Department of War General Staff intelligence review assessing incidents involving unidentified “Ghost Rockets” reported over Sweden and other Scandinavian countries beginning in May 1946. The review includes an analysis of observational reports, statements from the Swedish government, and reporting from the U.S. military attaché in Stockholm. The review highlights the inconclusive nature of the contemporary evidence available to substantiate reports from civilian and military observers. The review also documents a change in the public stance of the Swedish Defense Staff, which privately attributed the objects to Soviet V-1 missile tests launched from Peenemünde. Peenemünde is a then-occupied municipality in northeastern Germany that had been associated with the development of the V-1 and V-2 rocket program during World War II. The Swedish assessment publicly shifted from an unknown technological origin to one of a “celestial origin.” The review suggests that this shift was a deliberate effort to avoid diplomatic conflict with the Soviet Union. The report’s final assessment concludes that while most reported incidents were likely misidentified natural phenomena, the “best evidence” suggested a small number of “real incidents” involving low-flying V-1 type missiles, likely attributable to Soviet tests of captured German technology.
PDFDoD / AARO · Montana, Utah
DOW-UAP-D098, Film Analysis of Unidentified Objects, 1953
This file contains a memorandum relating to the U.S. Naval Photographic Interpretation Center’s assessment of two films allegedly depicting unidentified airborne objects, captured in Montana and Utah in 1950 and 1952, respectively. The file documents the Center’s analytic process, assumptions that constrained its confidence level, tentative conclusions, and recommendations for future research. The Center assessed, generally, that the objects depicted in the film demonstrated characteristics that were inconsistent with those of natural phenomena or commonly known aerospace technologies. The memorandum documents the Center’s recommendation for a more well-resourced investigation to corroborate its presumptive findings, citing a lack of funding and personnel. The accompanying charts compare the film’s luminosity with the apparent angular size of the phenomena, using contemporary mathematical modeling and photogrammetric analysis techniques.
Released July 10, 2026 · U.S. Department of War
28 records in this release
VIDEODoD / AARO · Atlantic Ocean
DOW-UAP-PR116, Unresolved UAP Report, Atlantic Ocean, 2020
The United States Northern Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 32 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2020. An accompanying Range Fouler Debrief, DOW-UAP-D091, describes the phenomenon as “darker, maroonish color, approximately 12-15 feet in height.” The report describes the phenomenon “travel[ing] with the wind” and noted that it did not “maneuver or change direction.” It also describes the phenomenon as appearing similar to a “large, somewhat deformed balloon.” Video Description: 00:01-00:32: The sensor zooms and pans to keep an area of contrast generally within the center of the frame. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Gulf of America
DOW-UAP-PR115, Unresolved UAP Report, Gulf of America, 2019
The United States Air Force submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 8 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2019. 00:01-00:02: An area of contrast is visible near the center of the sensor field-of-view, partially obscured by visual elements of the heads-up display. 00:03-00:06: The sensor zooms and pans to track the area of contrast, which visually flickers in the display. 00:07-00:08: No content. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance. AARO Comment: Infrared sensor systems capture information within a specific range of electromagnetic wavelengths. When a tracked source’s temperature is similar to that of the surrounding environment, it can visually blend into the background or appear to flicker due to dynamic contrast adjustments applied by the system’s auto-gain control filters.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Atlantic Ocean
DOW-UAP-PR114, Unresolved UAP Report, Atlantic Ocean, 2016
The United States Northern Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 39 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2016. Video Description: 00:01-00:11: The sensor zooms in and out to track on an area of contrast, panning to keep it generally within the center of the frame. 00:12-00:29: The sensor switches modes. A white reticle surrounds the area of contrast. 00:30-00:36: The sensor stops tracking the object, causing it to exit the right side of the frame. 00:37-00:38: An area of contrast enters the sensor field-of-view from the right side of the frame. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Western United States
DOW-UAP-PR113, Unresolved UAP Report, Western United States, 1996
The United States Navy Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF) transferred this media to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) in 2022. The video contains 2 minutes and 57 seconds of footage likely captured by an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 1996. Video Description: No formal data handling practices for UAP-related records existed at the time this media was reported to the UAPTF. This media was digitally altered before being reported to the UAPTF, and is presented as it was received by AARO. 00:01-00:13: No content. 00:14-00:17: An area of contrast transits the sensor field-of-view, entering near the upper right corner and exiting near the lower left corner of the frame. 00:18-01:21: The footage repeats frame-by-frame. 01:22-02:13: The footage repeats at a slower playback speed. 02:14-02:56: The footage holds on a frame extracted from the first 17 seconds of the video. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Eastern United States
DOW-UAP-PR112, Unresolved UAP Report, Eastern United States, 2019
The United States Navy submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 20 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a civilian aircraft in 2019. An accompanying Range Fouler Debrief, DOW-UAP-D090, describes the phenomenon as exhibiting “flight characteristics unlike anything [the observer] had seen in 28 years [of service] for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy. The report characterizes the phenomenon as “small” and “travelling in a straight line [in the] opposite direction at high speed.” Video Description: 00:01-00:011: An area of contrast is visible near the center of the screen. 00:12-00:014: The sensor changes its level of zoom and display mode, flashing white before returning to normal function. The area of contrast exits the sensor field-of-view to the left side of the frame. 00:15-00:20: The sensor changes settings, causing the screen to flash white. No content. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Eastern United States
DOW-UAP-PR111, Unresolved UAP Report, Eastern United States, 2020
The United States Northern Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 1 minute of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2020. Video Description: 00:01-00:21: Several small areas of contrast enter and leave the sensor field-of-view as the sensor pans across the background scene. 00:22-00:41: An auto-tracking reticle surrounds an area of contrast, and the sensor pans to keep it generally within the center of the frame. Several other areas of contrast periodically enter and exit the frame. 00:42-00:49: The sensor zooms out. 00:50-01:00: The area of contrast is no longer visible within the frame. The sensor display flickers between a black screen and normal function as it cycles contrast modes. No content. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Eastern United States
DOW-UAP-PR110, Unresolved UAP Report, Eastern United States, 2020
The United States Northern Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 27 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2020. Video Description: 00:01-00:02: No content. 00:03-00:10: An area of contrast become visible to the right of the center of the frame. The sensor pans to track the area of contrast, causing it to appear to move about the field-of-view. 00:11-00:19: An auto-tracking reticle surrounds the area of contrast. The area of contrast gradually increases in angular size. 00:20-00:22: The area of contrast exits the sensor field-of-view to the right side of the frame. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Eastern United States
DOW-UAP-PR109, Unresolved UAP Report, Eastern United States, 2015
The United States Navy Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF) transferred this media to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) in 2022. The video contains 21 seconds of footage likely captured by an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2015. Video Description: No formal data handling practices for UAP-related records existed at the time this media was reported to the UAPTF. This media was digitally altered before being reported to the UAPTF, and is presented as it was received by AARO. 00:01-00:08: No content. 00:09-00:11: An area of contrast becomes visible near the center of the screen, The area of contrast transits the sensor field-of-view, moving from right to left before exiting from upper left corner of the frame. 00:12-00:21: The footage repeats at a slower playback speed. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Western United States
DOW-UAP-PR108, Unresolved UAP Report, Western United States, 2020
The United States Northern Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 2 minutes and 16 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2020. Video Description: 00:01-00:15: No content. 00:16-00:19: The footage flashes between normal operation and a black screen several times as the sensor changes display modes. 00:20-00:27: No content. 00:28-00:33: The sensor zooms in and pans to track an area of contrast, keeping it generally within the center of the frame. 00:34-00:57: An auto-tracking reticle surrounds the area of contrast as the sensor continues to track it against the background. 00:58-01:10: The sensor adjusts its zoom level and contrast settings several times. 01:11-01:34: The area of contrast leaves the sensor field-of-view to the left of the frame. The sensor adjusts its zoom level and contrast settings several times. No content. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Eastern United States
DOW-UAP-PR107, Unresolved UAP Report, Eastern United States, 2020
The United States Northern Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 28 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2020. Video Description: 00:01-00:02: No content. 00:03-00:11: An area on contrast enters the sensor field-of-view from the top right of the frame. The sensor pans to track the area of contrast, which repeatedly leaves and re-enters the sensor field-of-view. 00:12-00:16: The sensor zooms out and in. 00:17-00:23: The sensor pans to track the area of contrast, which repeatedly leaves and re-enters the sensor field-of-view. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Eastern United States
DOW-UAP-PR106, Unresolved UAP Report, Eastern United States, 2020
The United States Northern Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 11 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2020. An accompanying Range Fouler Debrief, DOW-UAP-D089, describes the phenomenon as “quite small” and as “continu[ing] in a constant direction.” The report characterizes the shape of the phenomenon as “indistinguishable,” with a metallic appearance and reflective underside. Video Description: This media was digitally altered before being reported to AARO, and is presented as received. 00:01-00:01: An area of contrast is visible above the center of the frame. 00:02-00:04: The sensor switches modes, causing the area of contrast to rapidly move about within the field-of-view. The area of contrast leaves the sensor field-of-view from the top of the frame. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · East China Sea
DOW-UAP-PR105, Unresolved UAP Report, East China Sea, 2025
The United States Indo-Pacific Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 5 minutes of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2025. Video Description: 00:01-00:14: The sensor pans to track an area of contrast, keeping it generally centered within the center of the frame. 00:15-00:19: The sensor adjusts, and the image is momentarily overlaid with black rectangular areas. 00:20-1:34: The sensor pans to track an area of contrast, keeping it generally centered within the center of the frame. Portions of the area of contrast intermittently lose distinctiveness against the background throughout this segment. 01:35-02:05: The sensor zooms in, panning from right to left to track the area of contrast. The area of contrast exits the scene from the right edge of the frame several times. 02:06-04:59: The sensor zooms out and in several times, and pans the field-of-view against the background. No content. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Yellow Sea
DOW-UAP-PR104, Unresolved UAP Report, Yellow Sea, 2025
The United States Indo-Pacific Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 18 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2025. Video Description: 00:01-00:15: The sensor pans to track an area of contrast resembling a six-pointed star, keeping it generally centered within the center of the screen. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · East China Sea
DOW-UAP-PR103, Unresolved UAP Report, East China Sea, 2024
The United States Indo-Pacific Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 1 minute and 16 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2024. Video Description: 00:01-01:16: The sensor pans to track an area of contrast, keeping it generally within the center of the frame. 00:12-01:16: An auto-tracking reticle surrounds the area of contrast. The sensor tracks the area of contrast, keeping it generally within the center of the frame. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · East China Sea
DOW-UAP-PR102, Unresolved UAP Report, East China Sea, 2024
The United States Indo-Pacific Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 36 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2024. Video Description: 00:01-00:20: The sensor tracks an area of contrast, keeping it generally within the center of the frame. 00:21-00:29: The area of contrast exits the sensor field-of-view at the top of the frame. 00:30-00:36: The sensor zooms out and in several times. No content This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · South China Sea
DOW-UAP-PR101, Unresolved UAP Report, South China Sea, 2024
The United States Indo-Pacific Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 1 minute and 46 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2024. Video Description: 00:01-00:12: The sensor tracks an area of contrast, keeping it generally within the center of the frame. 00:13-00:28: The sensor zooms in and tracks an elongated area of contrast, keeping it generally to the left of the center of the frame. 00:29-00:33: The sensor zooms in again. The area of contrast appears as a “line” of several areas of contrast moving across the sensor field-of-view from the bottom right to the top left. 00:34-01:44: The sensor pans to track the areas of contrast for approximately 1 minute. They become less distinct over time as their distance from the sensor increases. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Yellow Sea
DOW-UAP-PR100, Unresolved UAP Report, Yellow Sea, 2023
The United States Indo-Pacific Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 4 minutes and 57 seconds of video footage from an electro-optical and infrared sensor system aboard a U.S. military platform in 2023. Video Description: The overall quality of this video footage progressively degrades over its runtime. 00:01-00:08: In infrared mode, the sensor tracks an area of contrast, keeping it generally within the center of the frame. 00:09-01:03: The sensor zooms in and tracks the area of contrast, holding it generally within the center of the frame. 01:04-01:10: The sensor display switches modes to an electro-optical day time television camera feed (a collection mode that displays visible and near infrared signatures). The video features a dark object superimposed against a blue background. 01:11-01:13: The sensor display changes modes to infrared. The area of contrast is no longer visible within the frame. 01:14-02:16: The sensor zooms in and changes contrast settings. An area of contrast is visible near the center of the frame. 02:17-02:22: The area of contrast repeatedly leaves and enters the sensor field-of-view. 02:23-02:46: The sensor reacquires and tracks the area of contrast, keeping it generally within the center of the frame. 02:47-03:27: The sensor zooms in, tracking the area of contrast. 03:28-03:32: The footage appears to “skip,” or lose coherence. 03:33-03:46: The footage returns to its previous state, and the sensor continues to track the area of contrast generally within the center of the frame. 03:47-04:32: The sensor zooms out. 04:33-04:40: The area of contrast repeatedly leaves and enters the sensor field-of-view. 04:41-04:45: No content. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Middle East
DOW-UAP-PR030, Unresolved UAP Report, Middle East, 2023
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 10 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2023. Video Description: 00:01-00:05: No content. 00:06-00:07: Two areas of contrast transit the sensor field-of-view. The first enters the field-of-view from the bottom right and exits from the top edge of the frame. The second, relatively smaller area of contrast enters from the top and exits the bottom of the frame. 00:08-00:10: No content. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Middle East
DOW-UAP-PR024, Unresolved UAP Report, Middle East, 2023
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 18 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2023. Video Description: 00:01: The sensor focuses on a dark area of contrast, narrowing the field of view to zoom in. 00:02: Two bright areas of contrast transit the frame from left to right. 00:03: The sensor zooms out, keeping the bright areas of contrast within the frame. 00:05: The bright areas of contrast exit the right side of the frame. 00:07: The sensor refocuses on the dark area of contrast, keeping it generally within the center of the frame. 00:10: A reticle surrounds the dark area of contrast, which continues to remain generally within the center of the frame. 00:17: The sensor changes contrast and zoom settings, causing the frame to flash white. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
PDFDoD / AARO · Various
DOW-UAP-D097, Project Sign Progress Report, 1948
This file contains an initial report from the Air Materiel Command regarding Project Sign. Project Sign was a 1948-1949 U.S. Air Force program to investigate the nature and origin of unidentified flying objects (UFO). The report details 100 UFO sightings from 1947-1948. The file also contains an article excerpted from “The Aeroplane,” an aviation-focused periodical magazine published between 1911 and 1968, titled “The Biology of the Flying Saucer.”
PDFDoD / AARO · Various
DOW-UAP-D096, Correspondence Relating to Project Blue Book, 1955
This file contains correspondence relating to Project Blue Book, a 1952-1969 U.S. Air Force program to investigate the nature and origin of unidentified flying objects (UFO). The correspondence includes letters and memoranda sent between various departments and agencies of the U.S. Government, the Legislative Branch, and private citizens concerning UFO sightings and the research and findings of Project Blue Book.
PDFDoD / AARO · Various
DOW-UAP-D095, Joint U.S.-Canadian Aviation Projects and UFO Sighting Reports, 1954-1955
This file contains reports, memoranda, and correspondence concerning various then-developmental vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. The file includes assessments of the experimental potential of the “Avro Project Y2,” a joint U.S.-Canadian near-circular VTOL aircraft that is similar in appearance to contemporary popular descriptions of unidentified flying objects (UFO). A 1954 memorandum opines that VTOL aircraft with a circular planform may be mistaken for UFOs to observers unfamiliar with such technologies. It also recommends that UFO reports in the vicinity of Soviet military operations or assets be re-examined to assess whether they may be attributable to previously unknown advanced VTOL aircraft of foreign design. The file also contains correspondence relating to a UFO incident involving a U.S. Air Force (USAF) KC-97 flying near Newfoundland, Canada in July 1955. A USAF committee found that the characteristics described in the report were inconsistent with those of known Soviet, American, or Canadian military systems. The committee was also “unable to explain the simultaneous ground radar returns and aircrew visual sightings.” It also contains correspondence relating to the potential value of data from incidental radar collection of meteors entering the atmosphere. USAF Air Research and Development Command recommended using that data to improve the performance of the AN/FPS-17 radar system. Finally, the file contains correspondence indicating support for the Communications Instructions for Reporting Vital Intelligence Sightings (CIRVIS) program, a joint U.S.-Canadian civil-military program to standardize reporting methods for unusual or unidentified airborne and maritime hazards and threats.
PDFDoD / AARO · Virginia
DOW-UAP-D094, Analysis of Flying Object Incidents in the United States, 1949
This file contains a U.S. Air Force (USAF) Air Intelligence Division study, “Analysis of Flying Object Incidents in the United States,” Study No. 203, dated 04/28/1949. The analysis includes an assessment of various reported unidentified flying object (UFO) incidents and theories to account for their nature and origin. Overall, the study assesses that “it appears that some object has been seen; however, the identification of that object cannot be readily accomplished.” The study offers that two “reasonable” origins might account for the phenomena: technologies of a domestic or foreign origin. It also suggests that, if foreign, it is prudent for the United States to assume that UFO observations are attributable to scientific, military, or intelligence activities of the Soviet Union, and, in that case, to take seriously the threat such objects may pose. The file also contains selected contemporary UFO reports and examples of experimental “flying wing” type aircraft planforms that might account for certain commonly reported UFO characteristics. AARO Comment: This file appears to be a later revision of the file contained in DOW-UAP-D093, whose content is substantively similar.
PDFDoD / AARO · Virginia
DOW-UAP-D093, Analysis of Flying Object Incidents in the United States, 1948
This file contains a U.S. Air Force (USAF) Air Intelligence Division study, “Analysis of Flying Object Incidents in the United States,” Study No. 203, dated 12/10/1948. The analysis includes an assessment of various reported unidentified flying object (UFO) incidents and theories to account for their nature and origin. Overall, the study assesses that “it appears that some object has been seen; however, the identification of that object cannot be readily accomplished.” The study offers that two “reasonable” origins might account for the phenomena: technologies of a domestic or foreign origin. It also suggests that, if foreign, it is prudent for the United States to assume that UFO observations are attributable to scientific, military, or intelligence activities of the Soviet Union, and, in that case, to take seriously the threat such objects may pose. The file also contains contemporary UFO reports and examples of experimental “flying wing” type aircraft planforms that might account for certain commonly reported UFO characteristics. AARO Comment: This file appears to be an earlier draft version of the file contained in DOW-UAP-D094, whose content is substantively similar.
PDFDoD / AARO · Various
DOW-UAP-D092, Department of the Air Force Committee to Review Project Bluebook, 1966-1967
This file documents the 1966-1967 deliberations and recommendations of the U.S. Air Force (USAF) Scientific Advisory Board’s Ad Hoc Committee to Review Project Blue Book. Project Blue Book was a 1952-1969 USAF program to investigate the nature and origin of unidentified flying objects (UFO). The Committee recommended that the USAF contract a scientific team composed of university-affiliated representatives to investigate selected UFO sightings. The USAF subsequently adopted the Committee’s recommendation.
PDFDoD / AARO · Atlantic Ocean
DOW-UAP-D091, Range Fouler Debrief, Atlantic Ocean, 2020
This document is a Range Fouler Debrief, a standardized reporting form the U.S. Navy uses to record the circumstances surrounding an unauthorized intrusion into controlled airspace during active military operations or training. These reports contain a narrative description of the observer’s experiences. This report accompanies the video titled “DOW-UAP-PR116.” A U.S. military operator reported observing an object, describing the phenomenon as “darker, maroonish color, approximately 12-15 feet in height.” The report describes the phenomenon “travel[ing] with the wind” and noted that it did not “maneuver or change direction.” It also describes the phenomenon as appearing as a “large, somewhat deformed balloon.” All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Eastern United States
DOW-UAP-D090, Range Fouler Debrief, Eastern United States, 2019
This document is a Range Fouler Debrief, a standardized reporting form the U.S. Navy uses to record the circumstances surrounding an unauthorized intrusion into controlled airspace during active military operations or training. These reports contain a narrative description of the observer’s experiences. This report accompanies the video titled “DOW-UAP-PR112.” Five U.S. military-affiliated personnel reported observing an object “with flight characteristics unlike anything [the observer] had seen in 28 years [of service] for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy. The report characterizes the phenomenon as “small” and “travelling in a straight line opposite [the platform’s] direction at high speed.” The reporter added that, “others with equal or more experience were also unsure as to what the object might be.” All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Eastern United States
DOW-UAP-D089, Range Fouler Debrief, Eastern United States, 2020
This document is a Range Fouler Debrief, a standardized reporting form the U.S. Navy uses to record the circumstances surrounding an unauthorized intrusion into controlled airspace during active military operations or training. These reports contain a narrative description of the observer’s experiences. This report accompanies the video titled “DOW-UAP-PR106.” A U.S. military operator reported observing an object, describing it as “quite small” and as “continu[ing] in a constant direction.” The report characterizes the shape of the phenomenon as “indistinguishable,” with a metallic appearance and reflective underside. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
Released June 12, 2026 · U.S. Department of War
13 records in this release
PDFDoD / AARO
USG-UAP-D001, Congressional, White House, UFO-related Constituent Correspondence, 1998
This collection of documents, primarily from 1998, contains draft and final correspondence from the White House and the offices of members of Congress responding to constituent inquiries about Unidentified Flying Objects, or “UFOs.” These inquiries cover a diverse range of topics, including alleged UFO sightings by NASA astronauts, questions regarding the authenticity of photos collected during U.S. missions to Mars, alleged improper withholding of information by the U.S. Government, questions regarding the appropriateness of “UFO-related” governmental spending, and calls for congressional hearings regarding the nature and existence of “UFOs.” The official responses consistently state that, circa 1998, the U.S. Government is not aware of evidence supporting the existence of extraterrestrial technology, and that NASA does not actively investigate “UFOs.” The collection includes references to materials of both confirmed and unconfirmed authenticity, as provided by constituents, as well as references to historical, scientific literature addressing specific “UFO” sighting claims.
PDFDoD / AARO
DOW-UAP-D088, U.S. Air Force Analysis of Flying Objects in the United States, 101-172
Includes a "Check-List - Unidentified Flying Objects" that contains details about the incident. Many summaries also include witness lists or statements and other narrative reports or descriptions.
PDFDoD / AARO · United States
DOW-UAP-D087, U.S. Air Force Analysis of Flying Objects in the United States, 1-100
Includes a "Check-List - Unidentified Flying Objects" that contains details about the incident. Many summaries also include witness lists or statements and other narrative reports or descriptions.
PDFDoD / AARO
DOW-UAP-D086, USNavy-Report-of-Flying-Discs_1948
This document is a memorandum from the Commandant of the 5th Naval District, and it cites a memorandum related to "flying discs" from the Chief of Naval Operations. The memorandum requests that naval stations report incidents to the nearest Air Force command and to the Naval District Intelligence Office.
PDFDoD / AARO
DOW-UAP-D085_Transmission-of-CIA-Scientific-Advisory-Panel-Rept_1953
This file contains a copy of the CIA's 1953 "Report of the Scientific Panel on Unidentified Flying Objects" that was sent to the Secretary of Defense.
PDFDoD / AARO
DOW-UAP-D084, US Army-Flying-Saucer-Study_1949
This file contains an Evaluation Study of the Phenomenon (Flying Saucers) prepared at the request of the Plans & Operations Divisions of the General Staff, U.S. Army (P&O, GSUSA) to determine if the origin could be traced to natural phenomena or the activities of a foreign power.
PDFDoD / AARO · Westen United States
DOW-UAP-D083, Narrative Statement 5, Western United States Event, 2023
This memorandum presents the first-hand narrative from Witness 5 provided to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO). Witness 5 was one of several United States (U.S.) federal law enforcement special agents who reported observing unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) over a period of two days in October 2023 in the western United States.
PDFDoD / AARO · Westen United States
DOW-UAP-D082, Narrative Statement 4, Western United States Event, 2023
This memorandum presents the first-hand narrative from Witness 4 provided to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO). Witness 4 was one of several United States (U.S.) federal law enforcement special agents who reported observing unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) over a period of two days in October 2023 in the western United States.
PDFDoD / AARO · Westen United States
DOW-UAP-D081, Narrative Statement 3, Western United States Event, 2023
This memorandum presents the first-hand narrative from Witness 3 provided to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO). Witness 3 was one of several United States (U.S.) federal law enforcement special agents who reported observing unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) over a period of two days in October 2023 in the western United States.
PDFDoD / AARO · Westen United States
DOW-UAP-D080, Narrative Statement 2, Western United States Event, 2023
This memorandum presents the first-hand narrative from Witness 2 provided to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO). Witness 2 was one of several United States (U.S.) federal law enforcement special agents who reported observing unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) over a period of two days in October 2023 in the western United States.
PDFDoD / AARO · Westen United States
DOW-UAP-D079, Narrative Statement 1, Western United States Event, 2023
This memorandum presents the first-hand narrative from Witness 1 provided to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO). Witness 1 was one of several United States (U.S.) federal law enforcement special agents who reported observing unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) over a period of two days in October 2023 in the western United States.
PDFDoD / AARO · Westen United States
DOW-UAP-D078, Notional Map: Western United States Event
This image is a notional representation of four incidents reportedly involving unidentified anomalous phenomena in the western United States, as seen from above. This illustration depicts multiple incidents reported by U.S. federal law enforcement special agents over a period of several days in October 2023.
PDFDoD / AARO · Western United States
DOW-UAP-D077, AARO Unresolved Case Analysis Update: Western United States Event
This memorandum summarizes the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office’s (AARO) ongoing analysis of a reported incident near a sensitive national security site in the western United States involving unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) over a period of two days in 2023. As of June 2026, the case remains unresolved.
Released May 22, 2026 · U.S. Department of War
52 records in this release
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR099, "Hi-Res: [CALLSIGN] Observes UAP on 25SEP19 at 1715Z"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “Hi-Res: [CALLSIGN] Observes UAPs on 23SEP19 at 1715Z,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in 2019. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in November 2019. Video Duration: 00:04:51 Video Description: 00:00-00:44: No Content. 00:45-00:46: An area of contrast enters the field-of-view on the left side of the frame and exits the bottom of the frame in the lower left corner. 00:47-01:07: No Content. 01:08-01:25: An area of contrast appears from the left side of the frame. The sensor pans to hold the object in the center of its field-of-view. 01:26-01:45: The sensor changes visual settings and continues to track the area of contrast. 01:46-01:47: Another area of contrast enters the scene from the bottom of the frame. 01:47-01:55: The screen flashes black before the sensor continues tracking the areas of contrast. Multiple areas of contrast enter and exit the field-of-view during this period. The sensor pans to track them. 04:00-04:51: The screen flashes black for before continuing to track an area of contrast. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR098, "UFOs in formation over Persian Gulf?"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “UFOs in formation over Persian Gulf?” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in October 2019. Video Duration: 00:17:36 Video Description: 00:00-00:02: No Content. 00:02-00:21: An area of contrast becomes visible. The sensor pans to track the area of contrast within the center of the field-of-view. 00:22-01:59: The sensor zooms in on the area of contrast. At a higher level of magnification, the area appears as multiple distinct areas of contrast. 02:00-02:02: The areas of contrast briefly leave the field-of-view. 02:03-04:00: The sensor zooms in and out multiple times to track the area of contrast. 04:01-04:26: The area of contrast becomes less distinguishable against the background. The sensor zooms in further. 04:27-06:29: The sensor progressively zooms in on the area of contrast. 06:30-13:17: The area of contrast is at times indistinguishable from the grain of the video. The sensor makes several contrast adjustments to compensate. 13:18-16:22: The sensor zooms in and out several times. 16:23-17:23: The area of contrast repeatedly exits and enters the frame. 17:24-17:27: The sensor zooms out to track the area of contrast. 17:27-17:36: No content. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR097, "Hi-Res: [CALLSIGN] Observes UAP on 25SEP19 at 2135Z"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “Hi-Res: [CALLSIGN] Observes UAP on 25SEP19 at 2135Z,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in 2019. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in October 2019. Video Duration: 00:04:59 Video Description: 00:00-00:33: No Content. 00:34-00:36: An area of contrast enters the sensor field-of-view at the bottom of the screen. 00:37-00:44: The sensor rotates clockwise and corrects slightly counterclockwise to center the area of contrast in the frame. 00:37-01:37: The sensor cycles through several contrast and zoom levels while tracking the area of contrast. 01:38-02:10: At a higher magnification level, the area of contrast appears as a several areas grouped together in the center of the field-of-view. 02:11-03:06: The sensor changes contrast settings several times, causing the screen to flash black and white. The sensor continues to track the areas of contrast. 03:07-04:59: No content. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR096, "HH11 03 July 2018 UAPs"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “HH11 03 July 2018 UAPs,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in 2018. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in July 2020. Video Duration: 00:01:19 Video Description: 00:00-00:12: No Content. 00:13-00:21: Two areas of contrast enter the lower right side of the screen and exit the bottom of the screen. 00:13-00:29: The sensor pans to track the two areas of contrast, centering them generally within the center of the field-of-view. 00:30-00:47: The sensor zooms in. One of the areas of contrast is no longer visible within the frame at this level of magnification. The area of contrast within the sensor field-of-view appears as three distinct areas of contrast in a generally straight line. 00:47-00:58: The distance between the rightmost area of contrast and the center and left areas of contrast appears to increase. The center and left areas of contrast appear to remain at a roughly fixed distance from one another. 00:59-01:19: Other areas of contrast enter the field-of-view from the top of the screen. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR095, "May 05 2020 Gulf of Arabia [CALLSIGN] (Platform) Dual UAP"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “May 05 2020 Gulf of Arabia [CALLSIGN] (Platform) Dual UAP,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in 2020. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in May 2020. Video Duration: 00:04:49 Video Description: 00:00-00:16: The sensor tracks an area of contrast. 00:17-00:20: The sensor zooms in on the area of contrast. At higher magnification, the area appears as multiple distinct areas of contrast. 00:21-00:35: The sensor zooms in further. The areas of contrast move in and out of the field-of-view as the sensor pans to keep them in frame. 00:36-00:54: The sensor zooms out. 00:55-01:46: The sensor zooms in. The areas of contrast again become more distinct at higher magnification. The areas enter and exit the field-of-view as the sensor pans to keep them in frame. 01:47-01:51: The areas of contrast leave the frame at the lower right edge of the screen. 01:52-04:49: No content. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance. AARO Comment: DOW-UAP-PR093 and DOW-UAP-PR095 are not duplicates. Both videos share an uploader-defined title and depict highly similar subject matter, but are distinct.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR094, "[CALLSIGN] (Mission) - HD 2020-02-13"
46. DOW-UAP-PR094, “[CALLSIGN] (Mission) - HD 2020-02-13” On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “[CALLSIGN] (Mission) - HD 2020-02-13,” is likely derived from an electro-optical and infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in 2020. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in February 2020. Video Duration: 00:04:59 Video Description: 00:00-01:46: No content. 01:47-01:51: An area of contrast enters the frame in the upper right corner and leaves the field-of-view on the left side of the screen. 01:52-02:10: The sensor pans to track the area of contrast. 02:11-02:17: The sensor zooms out. The area of contrast is visible in the lower right quarter of the screen. 02:18-02:28: The sensor zooms in on the area of contrast. 02:29-04:38: The sensor zooms in and out several times. 04:40-04:43: The sensor changes modalities, causing the area of contrast to lose distinctiveness against the background. 04:44-04:53: The sensor changes back to electro-optical collection, again rendering the area of contrast visible near the center of the screen. 04:54-04:59: The sensor zooms in and out. The area of contrast is briefly visible in the upper left of the screen. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR093, "May 05 2020 Gulf of Arabia [CALLSIGN] (Platform) Dual UAP"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “May 05 2020 Gulf of Arabia [CALLSIGN] (Platform) Dual UAP,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in 2020. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in July 2020. Video Duration: 00:00:30 Video Description: 00:00-00:07: The sensor pans to track an area of contrast. 00:07-00:30: Several areas of contrast enter and exit the field-of-view. The sensor adjusts contrast settings. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance. AARO Comment: DOW-UAP-PR093 and DOW-UAP-PR095 are not duplicates. Both videos share an uploader-defined title and depict highly similar subject matter, but are distinct.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR092, "08 AUG 2020 [CALLSIGN] [CALLSIGN] UAP observation"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “08 AUG 2020 [CALLSIGN] [CALLSIGN] UAP observation,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in 2020. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in August 2020. Video Duration: 00:04:52 Video Description: 00:00-00:47: No content. 00:48-00:51: An area of contrast enters the field-of-view from the lower right side of the screen. 00:52-00:53: The area of contrast exits the field-of-view from the lower left side of the screen. 00:54-01:09: The sensor pans to track the area of contrast and hold it within the center of the screen. 01:10-01:34: The sensor zooms in on the area of contrast. 01:35-01:37: The sensor zooms in further. The area of contrast remains visible at the top of the screen. 01:38-03:45: The sensor zooms out to track the area of contrast. 03:46-03:50: The sensor zooms in. The area of contrast remains visible at the top of the screen. 03:51-04:07: The sensor zooms out to track the area of contrast. 04:08-04:25: The sensor changes visual settings, continuing to track the area of contrast. 04:26-04:52: The sensor zooms out and in several times. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR091, "21 AUG [CALLSIGN] Observes UAP in Persian Gulf"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “21 AUG 2020 [CALLSIGN] Observes UAP in Persian Gulf,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in 2020. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in August 2020. Video Duration: 00:04:48 Video Description: 00:00-03:07: No content. 03:08-03:10: The sensor zooms out. An area of contrast transits from the top of the screen to the bottom, exiting the frame. 03:11-03:48: The sensor zooms out and back in. The sensor pans to track the area of contrast. 03:49-04:48: The area of contrast becomes indistinguishable from the grain of the video and the sensor zooms out. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR090, "24 AUG 2020 [CALLSIGN] (Mission) Observes UAP"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “24 AUG 2020 [CALLSIGN] (Mission) Observes UAP,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in 2020. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in August 2020. Video Duration: 00:04:57 Video Description: 00:00-00:03: The sensor tracks an area of contrast as it moves down the left side of the screen. 00:03-00:21: The sensor pans to track the area of contrast within the center of its field-of-view. 00:22-01:04: The sensor zooms in on the area of contrast. 01:05-01:14: The area of contrast exits and re-enters the field of view several times. 01:15-04:57: No content. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR089, "31 AUG [CALLSIGN] [CALLSIGN] Observes UAP part2"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “31 AUG 2020 [CALLSIGN] [CALLSIGN] Observes UAP part2,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in 2020. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in August 2020. Video Duration: 00:04:58 Video Description: 00:00-00:45: The sensor tracks an area of contrast near the center of the screen. 00:46-01:09: Another area of contrast enters the field-of-view from the lower right side of the screen. The sensor pans to track both areas, but the second area of contrast exits the field-of-view. 01:10-01:22: The sensor cycles contrast modes, causing the area of contrast to momentarily lose distinctiveness against the background. 01:23-02:35: Several areas of contrast enter and exit the frame. 02:36-02:41: The areas of contrast become indistinct against the background. 02:42-03:22: The areas of contrast become distinguishable again. 03:23-03:43: Several areas of contrast enter and exit the screen. 03:44-03:48: The sensor pans to track the area of contrast. 03:49-04:01: The area of contrast exits the sensor field of view from the right side of the frame. 04:02-04:58: No content. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR088, "31 AUG [CALLSIGN] [CALLSIGN] Observes UAP"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “31 AUG 2020 [CALLSIGN] [CALLSIGN] Observes UAP,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in 2020. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in August 2020. Video Duration: 00:04:58 Video Description: 00:00-01:21: No content. 01:22-01:55: An area of contrast enters the field-of-view in the upper left corner of the screen, transits the frame, and exits the bottom of the screen. 01:56-02:47: The sensor cycles its zoom level several times. An area of contrast becomes visible in the lower half of the screen. 02:48-03:08: Another area of contrast enters the field-of-view from the left side of the screen. 03:09-03:29: The sensor pans to track the second area of contrast. The first area of contrast exits the field-of-view at the left edge of the screen. 03:30-04:58: Several areas of contrast enter and exit the field-of-view. The sensor remains focused on the second-appearing area of contrast. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR087, "05 September 2020 [CALLSIGN] UAP"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “05 September 2020 [CALLSIGN] UAP,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in 2020. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in September 2020. Video Duration: 00:04:54 Video Description: 00:00-01:22: No content. 01:23-01:26: An area of contrast transits the screen, entering from the bottom and exiting the top of the frame. 01:27-02:52: No content. 02:53-02:56: An area of contrast transits the screen, entering from the bottom and exiting the top of the frame. 02:57-04:21: No Content. 04:22-04:26: An area of contrast transits the screen, entering from the bottom and exiting the top of the frame. 04:27-04:54: No content. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · NORTHCOM
DOW-UAP-PR086, "UAP from Dec 2019 (East Coast)"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “UAP from Dec 2019 (East Coast),” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Northern Command area of responsibility in 2019. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in September 2020. Video Duration: 00:00:34 Video Description: 00:00-00:02: The sensor pans to track an area of contrast. 00:03-00:21: The sensor switches contrast modes while tracking an area of contrast. 00:22-00:23: The sensor pans to track an area of contrast. 00:24-00:34: No content. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR085, "16 Sept 2020 [CALLSIGN] [CALLSIGN] observes UAP"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “16 Sept 2020 [CALLSIGN] [CALLSIGN] observes UAP,” is likely derived from a full-motion video camera aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in 2020. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in September 2020. Video Duration: 00:04:44 Video Description: 00:00-01:17: No Content. 01:18-02:24: An area of contrast enters the bottom of the screen and moves up the screen as the sensor pans and zooms to hold it in the center of the frame. 02:25-04:29: The sensor zooms in, with the area of contrast remaining generally within the center of the frame. 04:30-04:44: The area of contrast leaves the field-of-view in the lower left-hand quarter of the screen. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR084, "17 Sept 2020 [CALLSIGN] observes UAP"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “17 Sept 2020 [CALLSIGN] observes UAP,” is likely derived from a full-motion video camera aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in 2020. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in September 2020. Video Duration: 00:04:13 Video Description: 00:00-00:24: No Content. 00:25-00:27: An area of contrast enters from the lower right-hand side of the screen and exits the screen in the upper left. 00:28-04:13 No Content. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR083, "7 October 2020 [CALLSIGN] observes UAP"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “7 October 2020 [CALLSIGN] observes UAP,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in October 2020. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in October 2020. Video Duration: 00:04:34 Video Description: 00:09-00:25: An area of contrast enters the right side of the sensor field-of-view. The sensor pans to track the area of contrast, keeping it generally within the center of the frame. 00:26-03:20: The sensor cycles its zoom level multiple times, panning to track the area of contrast. 03:21-04:08: The sensor cycles modalities and zoom levels multiple times to focus on a faint area of contrast. 04:09: The area of contrast loses distinctiveness against the background. 04:10-04:26: No content. 04:27-04:34: An area of contrast appears on the right side of the sensor field-of-view, and the sensor pans to bring the area of contrast to the center of the display. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · AFRICOM
DOW-UAP-PR082, "16 OCT 2020 [CALLSIGN] views UAP"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “16 OCT 2020 [CALLSIGN] views UAP,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Africa Command area of responsibility in 2020. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in October 2020. Video Duration: 00:04:46 Video Description: 00:28-00:29: An area of contrast transits the frame from the middle left side of the frame to the upper right side of the frame. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · AFRICOM
DOW-UAP-PR081, "18 Oct 2020 [CALLSIGN] observes UAP"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “18 Oct 2020 [CALLSIGN] observes UAP,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Africa Command area of responsibility in 2020. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in October 2020. Video Duration: 00:04:59 Video Description: 00:00-00:57: No content. 00:58-01:03: An area of contrast transits the sensor field-of-view, entering from near the top left corner of the screen and exiting near the bottom right corner of the screen. 01:04-04:59: No content. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR080, "20 October 2020 [CALLSIGN] [CALLSIGN] Observes UAP"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “20 October 2020 [CALLSIGN] [CALLSIGN] Observes UAP,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in 2020. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in October 2020. Video Duration: 00:04:54 Video Description: 01:17-01:21: An area of contrast enters the sensor field-of-view from the top right of the screen. The sensor pans toward the object, then pans away. 02:45-02:46: An area of contrast transits the sensor field-of-view across the bottom right quarter to the bottom middle edge of the screen. 03:12-03:13: An area of contrast transits the sensor field-of-view from the top right quarter to the bottom left quarter, after which the sensor changes modes and attempts to track the area of contrast. 03:20-03:21: An area of contrast transits the sensor field-of-view from the top right quarter to the bottom left quarter, after which the sensor changes modes and attempts to track the area of contrast. 03:35-03:36: An area of contrast transits the sensor field-of-view across the bottom right quarter, after which the sensor attempts to track the area of contrast. 03:40-03:41: An area of contrast transits the sensor field-of-view across the bottom right quarter to the bottom middle edge of the screen, after which the sensor attempts to track the area of contrast. 04:02-04:03: An area of contrast transits the sensor field-of-view across the bottom right quarter to the bottom middle edge of the screen, after which the sensor attempts to track the area of contrast. 04:22-04:23: An area of contrast transits the sensor field-of-view across the bottom left quarter. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR079, "29 October 2020 [CALLSIGN] (Mission) observes 3 fast moving UAP's"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “29 October 2020 [CALLSIGN] (Mission) observes 3 fast moving UAP’s,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in October 2020. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in October 2020. Video Duration: 00:04:00 Video Description: 00:02-00:22: The sensor pans to track an area of contrast. 00:23-00:28: The sensor zooms in. 00:29-01:01: The sensor zooms out, panning to track an area of contrast. 01:02-01:17: A second area of contrast enters the frame from the top left quarter of the screen. Both remain in the frame for approximately 15 seconds. 01:18-1:41: The sensor pans to track the second area of contrast, causing the first to exit the frame at the bottom of the screen. The area of contrast remains generally within the center of the sensor field-of-view. 01:42-1:58: The sensor pans and cycles its zoom level multiple times. No content. 01:59-02:58: The sensor pans to track an area of contrast. The area of contrast becomes increasingly indistinct against the background. 02:59-04:00: The sensor pans and cycles its zoom level multiple times. No content. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR078, "2 November 2020 [CALLSIGN] [CALLSIGN] Observes and tracks UAP 2 of 2"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “2 November 2020 [CALLSIGN] [CALLSIGN] Observes and tracks UAP 2 of 2,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in November 2020. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in November 2020. Video Duration: 00:04:58 Video Description: 00:00-03:21: The sensor pans to keep a low area of contrast within the center of the field-of-view. The relative intensity of the area of contrast increases throughout the video. 03:15-03:17: A second area of contrast transits the top right corner of the sensor field-of-view. 03:22-04:58: The sensor pans from the first area of contrast to the second area of contrast and pans to keep it within the field-of-view. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance. AARO Comment: DOW-UAP-PR077 and DOW-UAP-PR078 are not duplicates. Both videos depict highly similar subject matter, but are distinct.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR077, "2 November 2020 [CALLSIGN] [CALLSIGN] Observes and tracks UAP 1 of 2"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is “2 November 2020 [CALLSIGN] [CALLSIGN] Observes and tracks UAP 1 of 2,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in November 2020. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in November 2020. Video Duration: 00:04:58 Video Description: 00:00-03:21: The sensor pans to keep a low area of contrast within the center of the field-of-view. The relative intensity of the area of contrast increases throughout the video. 03:15-03:17: A second area of contrast transits the top right corner of the sensor field-of-view. 03:22-04:58: The sensor pans from the first area of contrast to the second area of contrast and pans to keep it within the field-of-view. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance. AARO Comment: DOW-UAP-PR077 and DOW-UAP-PR078 are not duplicates. Both videos depict highly similar subject matter, but are distinct.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR076, "03 January 2021 [CALLSIGN] (Mission) observes UAP"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is “03 January 2021 [CALLSIGN] (Mission) observes UAP,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in January 2021. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in January 2021. Video Duration: 00:04:57 Video Description: 00:00-01:51: No content. 01:52-02:48: An area of contrast becomes visible near the center of the top half of the frame. The sensor pans to track the area of contrast, keeping it generally within the center of the field-of-view. 02:49-02:55: The sensor zooms in. The area of contrast exits the frame in the bottom left of the display. 02:55-04:57: No content. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · East China Sea
DOW-UAP-PR075, "09JUN2021 [Platform] observed UAP in the ECS"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “09JUN2021 [Platform] observed UAP in the ECS,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating above the East China Sea in 2021. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in June 2021. Video Duration: 00:00:23 Video Description: 00:01-00:18: The sensor pans to track an area of contrast. At the 18 second mark, the sensor loses sight of the object. 00:19-00:23: No content. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR074, "[CALLSIGN] (Mission)HD_20220613"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “[CALLSIGN] (Mission) HD_20220613,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating in the United States Central Command area of responsibility in June 2022. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in June 2022. Video Duration: 00:04:45 Video Description: 00:00-00:10: The sensor pans from right to left tracking an area of contrast moving towards the center of the field-of-view, before losing distinctiveness against the background. 00:11-00:14: The sensor zooms in. An area of contrast transits the sensor field-of-view, entering from the right and exiting from the left side of the frame. 00:15-00:43: The sensor zooms out to track an area of contrast. 00:44-00:47: The sensor zooms in. An area of contrast transits the sensor field-of-view, entering from the right and exiting from the left side of the frame. 00:48-01:05: The sensor cycles its zoom settings multiple times. 01:06-01:13: A small area of contrast transits from the right to the center of the sensor field-of-view. 01:14-01:18: The sensor zooms in on an area of contrast. The area of contrast transits from the right to the center of the frame while the sensor pans up. 01:19-02:05: The sensor zooms and pans to track the area of contrast until it exits the field-of-view at the top of the display. 02:06-03:42: No content. 03:43-03:47: Several areas of contrast become visible near the center of the sensor field-of-view. 03:48-03:50: No content. 03:51-04:00: Four small areas of contrast become visible in the center of the sensor field-of-view. The sensor pans to track the areas of contrast. 04:01-04:21: The sensor cycles its zoom level out and pans to the right to track an area of contrast in the bottom right of the field-of-view. 04:22-04:39: The sensor cycles its zoom level to focus on an area of contrast multiple times. 04:40-04:43: The sensor switches modalities and refocuses on an area of contrast centered in its field-of-view. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Midwestern United States
DOW-UAP-PR073, IIR 1 655 S0053 23/Several Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon Encountered In The Vicinity of Columbus OH"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “IIR 1 655 S0053 23/Several Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon Encountered In The Vicinity of Columbus OH,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Northern Command area of responsibility in November 2022. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in March 2023. Video Duration: 00:01:28 Video Description: 00:00-00:04: No content. 00:05-00:07: The sensor pans to center a small area of contrast within its field-of-view. 00:11-00:37: The sensor cycles contrast modes and zoom levels while the area of contrast remains generally within the sensor field-of-view. 00:38-00:41: The orientation of the sensor relative to the area of contrast causes the area of contrast to appear to rotate. 00:42-01:14: A second area of contrast enters the frame from near the center of the top of the screen. It transits the sensor field-of-view, before becoming obscured by a redacted visual element of the sensor display. 01:17: The initial area of contrast loses distinctiveness against the background. 01:20: The sensor rotates, causing the second area of contrast to re-enter the scene before exiting the frame at the center of the top of the screen. 01:23-01:28: No content. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Kazakhstan
DOW-UAP-PR072, "ADMINISTRATIVE REVISION: IIR 1777 J0032 22 Kazakhstan - UAP in the vicinity of Karaganda International Airport"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “ADMINISTRATIVE REVISION: IIR 1777 J0032 22 Kazakhstan - UAP in the vicinity of Karaganda International Airport,” is likely derived from a commercially available cellular device’s rear-facing camera in March 2022. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in April 2023. Video Duration: 00:00:17 Video Description: This media was digitally altered prior to its upload to a classified network, and is presented as received. 00:00-00:03: No Content. 00:04-00:12: The video fades in from black to show a luminous phenomenon with trails of diminishing brightness extending from the center. The camera pans left and right, and zooms in on the phenomenon. 00:13: Video fades to black. 00:14-00:17: No content. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · NORTHCOM
DOW-UAP-PR071, "USAF ANG F-16C (callsign [CALLSIGN]) Shoots Down UAP over Lake Huron with [Weapon System], 12 Feb 2023"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “USAF ANG F-16C (callsign [CALLSIGN]) Shoots Down UAP over Lake Huron with [Weapon System], 12 Feb 2023,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Northern Command area of responsibility in 2023. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in February 2023. Video Duration: 00:00:46 Video Description: At the 11 second mark, the sensor focuses on an area of contrast in the center of its field-of-view. At the 20 second mark, the footage appears to depict a kinetic interaction between two distinct areas of contrast, with the initial subject of the footage fragmenting in a radial displacement pattern that suggests a high-energy event. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Southeastern United States
DOW-UAP-PR070, "IIR 1 655 S0301 23/Eglin AFB Aircrew Observed Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) on 13 Feb 23"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “IIR 1 655 S0301 23/Eglin AFB Aircrew Observed Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) on 13 Feb 23,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Northern Command area of responsibility in 2023. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in March 2023. Video Duration: 00:00:30 Video Description: A sensor pans to keep an area of contrast in the center of its field-of-view, cycling contrast modes multiple times. At the 22 second mark, the area of contrast loses distinctiveness against the background. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · NORTHCOM
DOW-UAP-PR069, "F/A-18 FLIR UAP"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “F/A-18 FLIR UAP,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Northern Command area of responsibility in 2022. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in July 2023. Video Duration: 00:00:29 Video Description: A sensor pans to track an area of contrast. At the 14 second mark, a reticle surrounds the area of contrast. At the 27 second mark, the reticle loses its track on the area of contrast. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · NORTHCOM
DOW-UAP-PR068, "IIR 1 666 S0151 23/Video Footage of Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon (UAP) captured by fifth generation aircraft on 20 Jan 23"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “IIR 1 666 S0151 23/Video Footage of Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon (UAP) captured by fifth generation aircraft on 20 Jan 23,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Northern Command area of responsibility in 2023. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in July 2023. Video Duration: 00:01:03 Video Description: 00:00-00:31: A sensor tracks an area of contrast, keeping it generally within the center of the field-of-view. 00:32-01:03: The area of contrast briefly moves in and out of the field-of-view from the top of the frame as the sensor pans to track it. 00:48: A second area of contrast becomes visible in the upper right quarter of the screen. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO
DOW-UAP-PR067, "Multiple Spherical UAP USO near Sub. [CALLSIGN] 2022/03/25 in and out of water"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “Multiple Spherical UAP USO near Sub. [CALLSIGN] 2022/03/25 in and out of water,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in May 2024. Video Duration: 00:04:50 Video Description: 00:45-00:56: An area of contrast enters the field-of-view from the bottom left side of the screen and moves to the bottom right of the screen. The sensor pans to track the area of contrast. 00:57-01:10: A second area of contrast enters the field-of-view from the bottom right side of the screen. The sensor pans to keep both objects in its field-of-view, but the second object briefly leaves the field of view off the right side of the screen. The first area of contrast leaves the field-of-view off the right side of the frame, and the sensor pans to continue tracking the second object, which then appears from the middle of the left side of the frame. 01:11-01:35: The sensor continues to pan to track the second area of contrast. 01:36: The sensor zooms out, losing view of the second area of contrast. 02:11-03:05: An area of contrast enters the field-of-view from the lower right side of the screen, moves off the left side of the screen, and the sensor pans to track it. The area of contrast reenters the field-of-view from the lower right side of the screen and the sensor continues to pan to track it. 04:09-04:37: An area of contrast enters the field-of-view from the right side of the screen, crosses the field-of-view, and the sensor pans to track it. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Southeastern United States
DOW-UAP-PR066, "USCG C-144 Tyndall UAP 1 TIC TAC IR hot 24 April 2024"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “USCG C-144 Tyndall UAP 1 TIC TAC IR hot 24 April 2024,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. Coast Guard platform operating in the Southeastern United States in 2024. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in June 2024. Video Duration: 00:00:48 Video Description: 00:09-00:15: An area of contrast appears from the upper right side of the screen. The sensor does not pan to track the area of contrast, causing it to leave the field-of-view on the left side of the frame. 00:33-00:48: An area of contrast enters the field-of-view from the lower right side of the screen and leaves the field-of-view on the lower left side of the screen. The sensor pans to the left, but is unable to track the area of contrast. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Southeastern United States
DOW-UAP-PR065, "USCG C-144 Tyndall UAP 2 TIC TAC IR hot 24 April 2024"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “USCG C-144 Tyndall UAP 2 TIC TAC IR hot 24 April 2024,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. Coast Guard platform operating in the Southeastern United States in 2024. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in June 2024. Video Duration: 00:00:38 Video Description: 00:00-00:32: A sensor pans to keep an area of contrast in its field-of-view. 00:33: The sensor pans to the left causing the area of contrast to leave the field-of-view on the right side of the frame. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR064, "AFSOC Kabul UAP Jul 2017"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “AFSOC Kabul UAP Jul 2017,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in June 2024. Video Duration: 00:00:17 Video Description: 00:00-00:13: No content. 00:14-00:15: An area of contrast moves into the sensor field-of-view from the left edge and moves to the right edge out of the field-of-view. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR063, "Spherical UAP [CALLSIGN] 2021/04/12 vid 2"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “Spherical UAP [CALLSIGN] 2021/04/12 vid 2,” is likely derived from a full-motion video camera and an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in 2021. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in May 2024. Video Duration: 00:04:49 Video Description: 00:00-00:49: The sensor pans to track an area of contrast, keeping it generally within the center of the sensor field-of-view. 00:50: The sensor pans away from the area of contrast. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR062, "Spherical UAP [CALLSIGN] 2021/04/12 vid 1"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “Spherical UAP [CALLSIGN] 2021/04/12 vid 1,” is likely derived from a full-motion video camera and an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in 2021. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in May 2024. Video Duration: 00:04:49 Video Description: 00:00-04:49: The sensor pans and cycles zoom levels to track an area of contrast, keeping it generally within the center of the sensor field-of-view. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR061, "Spherical UAP [CALLSIGN] 2021/04/12 vid 0"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is “Spherical UAP [CALLSIGN] 2021/04/12 vid 0,” is likely derived from a full-motion video camera and an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in 2021. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in June 2024. Video Duration: 00:04:46 Video Description: 03:02-04:00: An area of contrast enters the sensor field-of-view from the upper right corner of the frame, exiting in the bottom right corner of the screen. The sensor pans to track the area of contrast, centering it within the sensor field-of-view. 04:01-04:46: The sensor changes modes as the area of contrast becomes indistinct against the background. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR060, "Spherical UAP [CALLSIGN] 2021/04/12 obj 2"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “Spherical UAP [CALLSIGN] 2021/04/12 obj 2,” is likely derived from a full-motion video camera and an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in 2021. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in June 2024. Video Duration: 00:04:50 Video Description: 00:00-00:26: An area of contrast transits the sensor field-of-view from right to left. The sensor pans and zooms in and out to track the area of contrast. 00:27-02:04: The area of contrast re-enters the sensor field-of-view. The sensor pans to the left and up to track it. 02:05-04:50: The sensor refocuses on the original subject matter of the video. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR059, "NAG UAP 1 Jun 20"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “NAG UAP 1 Jun 20,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in 2020. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in June 2024. Video Duration: 00:04:51 Video Description: 00:02-00:36: An area of contrast appears in the sensor field-of-view. The sensor zooms and pans to keep the area of contrast in the field-of-view. 00:37-03:37: The sensor continues to pan to track the area of contrast, highlighting it with a reticle. 03:38: The area of contrast exits the sensor field-of-view, leaving the frame in the bottom left quarter of the screen. 03:39-04:35: The sensor zooms out, pans to track the area of contrast, and zooms in to keep the area of contrast in the field-of-view. 04:36-04:51: The sensor cycles zoom levels to keep the area of contrast within the sensor field-of-view. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · INDOPACOM
DOW-UAP-PR058, "[CALLSIGN] (Mission) UAP"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “[CALLSIGN] (Mission) UAP,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in June 2024. Video Duration: 00:10:48 Video Description: This media was digitally altered prior to its upload to a classified network, and is presented as received. 00:01-00:04: A black screen appears featuring the phrase, “[CALLSIGN] recording - 8x speed possible changes of shape stabilized and enhanced 38 secs.” 00:05-00:41: An area of contrast remains centered within the frame. Visual elements of the sensor display enter and exit the frame intermittently throughout. 00:42-00:45: A black screen appears featuring the phrase, “UAP recording original speed stabilized, sharpened, contrast enhanced 5 min.” 00:46-05:45: An area of contrast remains generally within the center of the frame. The sensor cycles contrast modes multiple times. 05:46-05:48: A black screen appears featuring the phrase, “UAP recording original clip 5 minutes.” 05:49-10:48: The sensor pans to track an area of contrast keeping it generally within the center of the frame. The overall quality of the footage progressively degrades throughout. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Yellow Sea
DOW-UAP-PR057b, "[Platform] Observes UAP in East China Sea 05 JAN 2023 INDOPACOM"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “Spherical UAP in clouds,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating above the Yellow Sea in January 2023. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in June 2024. Video Duration: 1:10 Video Description: 00:00-00:06: No content. 00:07-00:08: An area of contrast enters the sensor field-of-view from left and exits near the center of the right side of the frame. 00:09-00:20: The sensor pans and cycles zoom levels multiple times. 00:21-00:31: An area of contrast enters the frame from the left side of the screen. The area of contrast becomes indistinguishable against the background. 00:32-00:34: The sensor zooms in. An area of contrast becomes distinguishable against the background near the center of the frame. 00:35-00:52: The sensor pans to track the area of contrast from left to right. 00:53-00:56: The sensor zooms in. An area of contrast transits the sensor field-of-view from left to right in the bottom third of the frame. 00:57-01:10: No content. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance. AARO Comment: This media is a duplicate of DOW-UAP-PR57a, alternately titled, “Spherical UAP in clouds.” This discrepancy exists because two uploaders titled the underlying material differently on a classified network.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Yellow Sea
DOW-UAP-PR057a, "Spherical UAP in clouds"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “Spherical UAP in clouds,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating above the Yellow Sea in January 2023. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in June 2024. Video Duration: 1:10 Video Description: 00:00-00:06: No content. 00:07-00:08: An area of contrast enters the sensor field-of-view from left and exits near the center of the right side of the frame. 00:09-00:20: The sensor pans and cycles zoom levels multiple times. 00:21-00:31: An area of contrast enters the frame from the left side of the screen. The area of contrast becomes indistinguishable against the background. 00:32-00:34: The sensor zooms in. An area of contrast becomes distinguishable against the background near the center of the frame. 00:35-00:52: The sensor pans to track the area of contrast from left to right. 00:53-00:56: The sensor zooms in. An area of contrast transits the sensor field-of-view from left to right in the bottom third of the frame. 00:57-01:10: No content. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance. AARO Comment: This media is a duplicate of DOW-UAP-PR57b, alternately titled, “[Platform] observes UAP in East China Sea 05 JAN 2023 INDOPACOM.” This discrepancy exists because two uploaders titled the underlying material differently on a classified network.
VIDEODoD / AARO
DOW-UAP-PR056, "Spherical UAP pulsing over water [CALLSIGN]"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “Spherical UAP pulsing over water [CALLSIGN],” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in June 2024. Video Duration: 00:03:32 Video Description: This media was digitally altered prior to its upload to a classified network, and is presented as received. 00:01-0:47: The video features an area of contrast generally within the center of the frame. 00:48-00:52: The sensor briefly switches contrast modes, with the area of contrast remaining generally within the center of the frame. 00:53-03:32: The sensor returns to its original contrast mode, with the area of contrast remaining generally within the center of the frame. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR055, "Spherical UAP over AFG in and out of clouds 23 Nov 2020"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “Spherical UAP over AFG in and out of clouds 23 Nov 2020,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating in the United States Central Command area of responsibility in November 2020. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in June 2024. Video Duration: 00:00:47 Video Description: This media was digitally altered prior to its upload to a classified network, and is presented as received. 00:00-00:02: A black screen appears featuring the phrase “zoomed in.” 00:03-00:10: An area of contrast becomes visible near the top left corner of the screen, transiting from left to right before losing distinctiveness against the background. 00:11-00:12: A black screen appears featuring the phrase “sharpened, zoomed motion tracked contrast enhanced slow to 60% speed.” 00:12-00:28: The video replays at reduced speed and increased zoom level. 00:28-00:29: A black screen appears featuring the phrase, “original video.” 00:30-00:47: An area of contrast appears near the center of the top of the frame, transits downward to the left, before moving to the right and losing distinctiveness against the background. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · EUCOM
DOW-UAP-PR054, "Spherical UAP Erratic movement [CALLSIGN] (Mission) 2022"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is “Spherical UAP Erratic movement [CALLSIGN] (Mission) 2022,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating in the United States European Command area of responsibility in August 2022. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in June 2024. Video Duration: 00:03:57 Video Description: This media was digitally altered prior to its upload to a classified network, and is presented as received. 00:00-00:45: The video features an area of contrast generally within the center the frame. The sensor pans to track the area of contrast. Digital alterations to the video footage significantly influence the area of contrast’s apparent performance characteristics. 00:46-03:57: The video appears to cut, refocusing on an area of contrast generally within the center of the frame. The area of contrast intermittently passes in and out of frame as the sensor pans to track it. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR053, "Cigar Shaped or Fast Sherical UAP clip 15 OCT 22"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “Cigar Shaped or Fast Spherical UAP clip 15 OCT 22,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in October 2022. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in June 2024. Video Duration: 00:00:21 Video Description: This media was digitally altered prior to its upload to a classified network, and is presented as received. 00:01-00:04: An area of contrast transits the sensor field-of-view from left to right. 00:06-00:14: The video replays at a slower speed. 00:15-00:21: The video replays again at an even slower speed. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO
DOW-UAP-PR052, "UAP USO Formation [CALLSIGN] (Mission)"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “UAP USO Formation [CALLSIGN] (Mission),” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in June 2024. Video Duration: 00:08:16 Video Description: This media was digitally altered prior to its upload to a classified network, and is presented as received. 00:00-00:05: Four areas of contrast transit the frame from the bottom third of the left side to the bottom third of the right side of the frame. 00:06-00:38: The video appears to cut, refocusing on four areas of contrast. Visual elements of the sensor display enter and exit the frame. 00:39-06:08: The video seems to cut multiple times, applying various contrast filters and zoom levels. Visual elements of the sensor display enter and exit the frame. 06:09-06:50: The sensor zooms in on four areas of contrast. 06:51-08:10: The areas of contrast become increasingly indistinct over time as the video quality degrades. 08:11-08:15: Video appears to cut, or zoom out, likely cutting to an earlier portion of the video, with the areas of contrast more visible. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR051, "Syrian UAP instant acceleration"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “Syrian UAP instant acceleration,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in 2021. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in June 2024. Video Duration: 00:05:02 Video Description: This media was digitally altered prior to its upload to a classified network, and is presented as received. 00:01-00:19: The sensor pans to maintain the position of an area of contrast within the center of the frame. 00:20-00:21: The sensor stops tracking the area of contrast, causing it to rapidly exit the right side of the frame. 00:22-00:27: No content. 00:27-00:29 A black screen appears featuring the phrase “white edge threshold enhancement in attempt to highlight UAP shape. Original clip excerpt at 100% speed.” 00:30-00:50: The video replays with digital alterations applied. 00:51-00:53: A black screen appears featuring the phrase “50% speed.” 00:54-01:05: The video replays with digital alterations applied. 01:06-01:08: A black screen appears featuring the phrase “25% speed.” 01:09-01:35: The video replays with digital alterations applied. 01:36-01:41: A black screen appears featuring the phrase “B/W values inverted, picture zoomed” 01:42-02:03: The video replays with digital alterations applied. 02:04-02:09: A black screen appears featuring the phrase “full original clip TRT: 2:52” 02:10-03:49: The video replays, showing additional footage of the area of contrast at its original resolution on a far zoom. 03:50-04:02: The sensor rapidly zooms in and out. 04:03-04:28: The sensor focuses and zooms in, locking a reticle around the area of contrast. 04:29-5:01: The video replays 00:20-00:21, the period in which the sensor stops tracking the area of contrast, causing it to rapidly exit the right side of the frame. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · CENTCOM
DOW-UAP-PR050, "4 UAP Formation Iran 26 Aug 2022 over water [CALLSIGN]"
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “4 UAP Formation Iran 26 Aug 2022 over water [CALLSIGN],” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in 2022. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in June 2024. Video Duration: 00:00:20 Video Description: 00:01-00:04: Four areas of contrast transit the sensor field-of-view, entering from the lower third of the left side of the screen and exiting near the center of the bottom of the frame. 00:05-00:06: An area of contrast enters the sensor field-of-view from the top left corner of the screen. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
PDFDoD / AARO · New Mexico
DOW-UAP-D017, UAP Reported at Sandia Base, 1948-1950
This file contains 116 pages of documentation from the Armed Forces Special Weapons Program (AFSWP) – the direct, post-World War II successor to the Manhattan Project – and from the U.S. Air Force – relating to a series of sightings and investigations in Sandia, New Mexico, from 1948-1950. This file contains 209 sightings of “green orbs,” “discs,” and “fireballs” reported near the military base. Witnesses reported unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) maneuvering, flying out of sight, disappearing, or exploding. The documents also include the results of contemporary investigations into residual copper powder found in some areas where sightings were reported. A few of these investigations became the basis for Project Grudge, which collected reports of unidentified flying objects from various other military installations – also included in this collection.
Released May 8, 2026 · U.S. Department of War
79 records in this release
PDFDoD / AARO · Western United States
Western US Event
This document is a summary of statements by seven US PERSONs employed by the federal government who separately reported observing several unidentified anomalous phenomena in the western United States over the course of two days in 2023. The summary notes the US PERSONS reported four distinct categories of experiences, including observing “orbs launching other orbs” at a distance, observing a large stationary glowing orb at close estimated range, pursuing a large phenomenon near the ground, and observing a large, seemingly transparent phenomenon, reported to being akin to a “translucent kite.” Although there is no technical data directly associated with this report, contextual factors — such as these events sharing features with others reported to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), the reporters’ credibility, and the potentially anomalous nature of the events themselves — combine to make this report among the most compelling within AARO’s current holdings.
VIDEODoD / AARO · North America
DOW-UAP-PR49, Unresolved UAP Report, Department of the Army, 2026
The Department of the Army submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of one minute and 49 seconds of video from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2026. The reporter did not provide any oral or written description of the observation. Video Description: 00:00-00:08: The sensor tracks an initial area of interest. 00:09-00:16: The sensor disengages from its previous area of focus and pans from right to left to track two areas of contrast, narrowing the field-of-view to zoom in while panning to maintain the objects' positions generally within the center of the frame. 00:17-01:03: The sensor widens its field-of-view to zoom out, keeping the areas of contrast generally centered within the display. 01:04-01:08: The sensor field-of-view rapidly cycles between levels of zoom, causing the areas of contrast to appear to rapidly increase and decrease in size. 01:09-01:48: The sensor tracks the areas of contrast while maintaining a generally centered position, intermittently cycling between contrast settings. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Indo-PACOM
DOW-UAP-PR48, Unresolved UAP Report, INDOPACOM, 2024
The United States Indo-Pacific Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of one minute and 39 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2024. The reporter did not provide any oral or written description of the observation. Video Description: 00:00-01:39: The sensor tracks an area of contrast, maintaining its position generally within the center of the frame. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Japan
DOW-UAP-PR47, Unresolved UAP Report, INDOPACOM, 2023
The United States Indo-Pacific Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of one minute and 59 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2023. The reporter did not provide any oral or written description of the observation. Video Description: 00:00-01:59: The sensor tracks three distinct areas of contrast, maintaining their positions generally within the center of the frame. The areas of contrast appear to maintain a fixed position and orientation relative to one another. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · East China Sea
DOW-UAP-PR46, Unresolved UAP Report, INDOPACOM, 2024
The United States Indo-Pacific Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of nine seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2024. The reporter did not provide any oral or written description of the observation. Video Description: 00:00-00:09: The sensor focuses on an area of contrast that resembles a football-shaped body with three radial projections: one oriented vertically, and two oriented downward at a 45-degree angle relative to the major axis of the main mass. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Southern United States
DOW-UAP-PR45, Unresolved UAP Report, Middle East, 2020
The Department of the Air Force submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 58 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2020. The reporter did not provide any oral or written description of the observation. Video Description: 00:00-00:03: The sensor tracks an area of contrast acquiring a reticle lock. 00:04-00:30: The area of contrast gradually increases in distinctiveness against the background. 00:31: The sensor narrows its field-of-view to zoom in on the area of contrast. 00:32-00:56: The area of contrast increases in apparent size and distinctiveness. 00:57-00:58: The area of contrast leaves the center of the frame and passes out of the sensor field-of-view, exiting the scene in the bottom right corner of the screen. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance. AARO Comment: The area of contrast’s apparent increase in size is likely to be at least partially attributable to the U.S. platform closing the distance between itself and the source of the detection.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Arabian Gulf
DOW-UAP-PR44, Unresolved UAP Report, Middle East, 2020
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of five minutes and 11 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2020. The reporter did not provide any oral or written description of the observation. Video Description: This video features incidentally recorded audio, which does not relate to the visual content described below. 00:00-00:30: No content. 00:31-03:24: The sensor pans down and to the right to focus on an area of contrast. The sensor tracks the area of contrast against the background for approximately three minutes, panning to maintain its position generally within the center of the frame. The sensor cycles contrast and zoom levels several times throughout, appearing as brief, bright white flashes across the frame. 03:25-04:23: The sensor cycles through reticles of various sizes while continuing to track the area of contrast. Between 04:20 and 04:23, the area of contrast briefly leaves the center of the sensor field-of-view. 04:24-04:50: The sensor field-of-view widens to zoom out from the scene, continuing to track the area of contrast. 04:50-04:54: The sensor stops tracking the area of contrast, at which point it exits the frame from the top left quadrant of the screen. 04:55-05:11: No content. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Djibouti
DOW-UAP-PR43, Unresolved UAP Report, Africa, 2025
The United States Africa Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of two seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2025. The reporter did not provide any oral or written description of the observation. Video Description: 00:00-00:02: A small, barely distinguishable area of contrast moves from the left side of the sensor field-of-view to the right side, exiting the scene from the bottom right quarter of the screen. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance. The video is looped for viewing purposes.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Arabian Gulf
DOW-UAP-PR42, Unresolved UAP Report, Middle East, 2020
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of four minutes and 53 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2020. The reporter did not provide any oral or written description of the observation. Video Description: 00:00-00:12: An area of contrast enters the sensor field-of-view from the bottom left corner of the frame. The sensor pans to track the area of contrast, keeping it generally within the lower left quadrant of the frame. 00:13-00:40: The area of contrast intermittently loses distinctiveness against the background, seeming to disappear and reappear irregularly. 00:41: The sensor narrows its field-of-view to zoom in on the area of contrast. 00:42-00:52: An area of contrast exits the sensor field-of-view from the left half of the top of the frame, after which the sensor pans up and to the left. 00:53-02:09: The sensor pans erratically, with an area of contrast appearing in a relatively fixed position to the left and slightly below the center of the frame. 02:09-02:29: The sensor switches imaging modalities, and the area of contrast appears to the right and slightly above the center of the frame. 02:30-04:53: The sensor switches imaging modalities again, and the area of contrast returns to its previous position to the left and slightly below the center of the frame. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Arabian Gulf
DOW-UAP-PR41, Unresolved UAP Report, Middle East, 2020
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of one minute and 34 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2020. The reporter did not provide any oral or written description of the observation. Video Description: 00:01: An area of contrast enters the sensor field-of-view from the bottom third of the left side of the screen. 00:02-01:34: The sensor pans from left to right, tracking the area of contrast and keeping it generally centered within the field-of-view. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Arabian Gulf
DOW-UAP-PR40, Unresolved UAP Report, Middle East, 2020
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of one minute and three seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2020. The original reporter digitally altered the imagery by pausing the video playback and adding a white line encircling an area of interest at timestamp 00:10, annotated with the phrase “U/I SMALL THERMAL SIGNATURE.” AARO did not edit the originally reported material, and this media is presented as received. Video Description: 00:00-00:09: An area of contrast brightens within the sensor field-of-view, becoming increasingly distinct against the background. 00:10-00:14: Playback pauses to display a white line encircling an area of interest, annotated with the phrase “U/I SMALL THERMAL SIGNATURE.” 00:15-01:03: Playback resumes, with the sensor panning to track the area of contrast against the background, generally maintaining the area of contrast’s position within the top third of the display area. During this period, the sensor cycles through several contrast and zoom settings. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Arabian Gulf
DOW-UAP-PR39, Unresolved UAP Report, Middle East, 2020
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of five seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2020. The reporter did not provide any oral or written description of the observation. Video Description: 00:03-00:05: A faint area of contrast enters the sensor field-of-view from the bottom half of the right edge of the screen, proceeds from right to left across the corner of the frame, and exits the scene from near the center of the bottom edge of the screen. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Middle East
DOW-UAP-PR38, Unresolved UAP Report, Middle East, 2013
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of one minute and 46 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2013. The reporter did not provide any oral or written description of the observation. Video Description: This video depicts an area of contrast resembling an eight-pointed star with arms of alternating length. 00:10: The sensor field-of-view narrows to zoom in on the area of contrast. 00:11-00:29: The area of contrast moves within the sensor field-of-view, followed by a visible trail. 00:30: The area of contrast leaves the sensor field-of-view at the bottom right of the screen. 00:35-01:44: Following an apparent cut, the area of contrast generally remains within the sensor field-of-view before exiting the frame from the top left quarter of the screen. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Arabian Gulf
DOW-UAP-PR37, Unresolved UAP Report, Middle East, 2020
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of nine seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2020. The reporter did not provide any oral or written description of the observation. Video Description: 00:06-00:08: An area of contrast enters the sensor field-of-view from the bottom left quarter of the screen, follows a generally linear path from the bottom of the screen to the top, and exits from the top left quarter. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Middle East
DOW-UAP-PR36, Unresolved UAP Report, Middle East, May 2020
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of two minutes and 17 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2020. An accompanying Range Fouler report, DoW-UAP-D38, described the UAP as a solid white object making erratic movements above the water. Video Description: 00:05: An area of contrast briefly enters the sensor field-of-view from the left side of the screen. 00:06-00:18: The sensor pans away from the scene’s initial subject matter while cycling contrast settings and zoom levels. 00:19: The area of contrast re-enters the sensor field-of-view from near the center of the top edge of the screen. 00:20-01:15: The area of contrast remains generally within the sensor field-of-view. 01:16: The sensor narrows its field-of-view to zoom in on the area of contrast. 01:56: The sensor further narrows its field-of-view to zoom in on the area of contrast. 02:10: A blue reticle briefly appears on screen but does not acquire a lock on the area of contrast. 02:15-02:17: The sensor switches to a different modality and loses track of the area of contrast. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Greece
DOW-UAP-PR35, Unresolved UAP Report, Greece, October 2023
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 24 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2023. An accompanying mission report, DoW-UAP-D35, described the UAP as small and circular, flying near the surface of the ocean toward land. Video Description: 00:02: The sensor narrows its field-of-view to zoom in on an area of contrast near the center of the screen. 00:03-00:19: The sensor tracks the area of contrast as it moves against the ocean background. 00:20: As the background scene transitions from being predominantly water to land, the area of contrast becomes indistinguishable. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Greece
DOW-UAP-PR34, Unresolved UAP Report, Greece, October 2023
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of two minutes and 57 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2023. An accompanying mission report, DoW-UAP-D33, described the UAP as flying near the surface of the ocean and making multiple “90-degree turns” at approximately 80 miles per hour. Video Description: 00:04: An area of contrast enters the sensor field-of-view from the bottom left quarter of the screen. 00:07-00:19: The area of contrast moves back and forth horizontally across the field-of-view as the sensor pans to track it. 00:20-01:00: The area of contrast remains generally centered within the sensor field-of-view. 01:00-02:01: The sensor designates the area of contrast with a blue reticle, synchronizing its motion with the area of contrast’s relative position. 02:02-02:21: The sensor engages a contrast filter to better differentiate the area of contrast from the background. 02:22: The area of contrast becomes indistinguishable against the background, and the reticle drops its lock. 02:27-02:57: After losing lock, the sensor rapidly cycles zoom levels and contrast thresholds. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Syria
DOW-UAP-PR33, Unresolved UAP Report, Syria, October 2024
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of five seconds of video footage from a full-motion video (FMV) camera aboard a U.S. military platform in 2024. An accompanying mission report, DoW-UAP-D32, described the UAP as consisting of a “misshapen and uneven ball of white light,” and reported that a “light/glare halo effect” occurred at the top of the FMV feed. Video Description: 00:01-00:03: Two semi-transparent, irregularly shaped orange areas overlay the background imagery, persisting for less than two seconds each. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Syria
DOW-UAP-PR32, Unresolved UAP Report, Syria, October 2024
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of six seconds of video footage from a full-motion video (FMV) camera aboard a U.S. military platform in 2024. An accompanying mission report, DoW-UAP-D32, described the UAP as consisting of a “misshapen and uneven ball of white light,” and reported that a “light/glare halo effect” occurred at the top of the FMV feed. Video Description: 00:02-00:04: An area of irregular color and brightness, mainly consisting of white and red highlights, appears near the center of the top edge of the sensor display. The area extends to a width of approximately one-third of the horizontal frame, with a vertical area comprising approximately one-sixth of the viewing area. Overall, its shape is best described as a horizontally-oriented half-oval bisected along its major axis. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Syria
DOW-UAP-PR31, Unresolved UAP Report, Syria, October 2024
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of five seconds of video footage from a full-motion video (FMV) camera aboard a U.S. military platform in 2024. An accompanying mission report, DoW-UAP-D32, described the UAP as consisting of a “misshapen and uneven ball of white light,” and reported that a “light/glare halo effect” occurred at the top of the FMV feed. Video Description: 00:00-00:01: An indistinctly shaped multi-colored area moves from right to left across the top edge of the sensor display within the first second of the video. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Gulf of Oman
DOW-UAP-PR29, Unresolved UAP Report, United Arab Emirates, June 2024
The United States Northern Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 21 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2024. An accompanying mission report, DoW-UAP-D8, described the UAP as consisting of an object with a vertical pole or bar attached to the bottom of the object. The observer also reported that the UAP may instead be a reflection from an object in the water. Video Description: 00:00-00:21: An area of contrast visually resembling an inverted teardrop with a vertically linear trailing mass suspended below remains generally within the center of the sensor field-of-view throughout the video. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Greece
DOW-UAP-PR28, Unresolved UAP Report, Greece, January 2024
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of one minute and five seconds of video footage captured via multiple sensor modalities aboard a U.S. military platform in 2024. An accompanying mission report, DoW-UAP-D7, described the UAP as “diamond-shaped” and moving at approximately 434 knots. The observer also reported that the UAP was only detectable via short-wave infrared (SWIR) sensor. Video Description: The screen is split into two viewing areas for the first ten seconds of the video, with the right side displaying electro-optical footage and the left side displaying SWIR footage. 00:04: An area of contrast becomes distinguishable against the background in the center of the right frame. 00:10: The display shifts to a full-screen view of the SWIR feed to better focus on the area of contrast. 00:55: The area of contrast remains generally within the center of the sensor field-of-view. The area of contrast visually resembles an inverted teardrop with a vertically linear trailing mass suspended below. 00:56: The operator switches the sensor modality to visible spectrum, losing the subject against the background. 00:57-01:05: The operator switches the sensor modality to SWIR (Black-Hot) but does not reacquire the area of contrast. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · United Arab Emirates
DOW-UAP-PR27, Unresolved UAP Report, United Arab Emirates, October 2023
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of four minutes and 57 seconds of video footage from an infrared (IR) sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2023. An accompanying mission report, DoW-UAP-D23, mentions a UAP was observed during the mission. Video Description: 00:00-01:55: No content. 01:56: An area of contrast becomes distinguishable against the background in the center of the right side of the display. 02:04: The IR sensor pans to center on the area of contrast. 02:14: The sensor field-of-view narrows to zoom in on the area of contrast. 02:15-03:26: The area of contrast remains generally in the center of the sensor field-of-view. 03:27-04:57: The sensor motion causes the area of contrast to move erratically across the display. Due to this motion, the sensor system repeatedly loses and reacquires the area of contrast within the center area of the display. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · United Arab Emirates
DOW-UAP-PR26, Unresolved UAP Report, United Arab Emirates, October 2023
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 43 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2023. An accompanying mission report, DoW-UAP-D23, mentions a UAP was observed during the mission. Video Description: 00:00-00:17: An area of contrast remains generally within the top left quarter of the display. 00:17-00:18: The sensor pans from right to left, causing the area of contrast to pass through the center of the display. The sensor then pans from left to right, causing the area of contrast to return to its approximate initial position within the sensor field-of-view. 00:29: The sensor stops tracking the area of contrast, causing it to leave the sensor field-of-view on the left side of the screen. 00:30-00:43: The sensor resumes its motion relative to the background but does not reacquire the area of contrast. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Iraq
DOW-UAP-PR23, Unresolved UAP Report, Iraq, December 2022
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of ten seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2022. An accompanying mission report, DoW-UAP-D18, described the UAP as "flying west to east." Video Description: The video depicts an area of contrast moving from the bottom left to the top right of the sensor field-of-view. At approximately six seconds, the area of contrast leaves the sensor field-of-view near the top right corner of the frame. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Syria
DOW-UAP-PR22, Unresolved UAP Report, Syria, July 2022
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 14 seconds of video footage from an infrared (left) and electro-optical (right) sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2022. An accompanying mission report, DoW-UAP-D16, described the UAP as “moving from north to south.” Video Description: At the five second mark, the video depicts an object moving from right to left across the top right quarter of the sensor field-of-view. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Iraq
DOW-UAP-PR21, Unresolved UAP Report, Iraq, May 2022
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of ten seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2022. An accompanying mission report, DoW-UAP-D14, described the UAP as a “probable SU-27/35." Video Description: The video depicts two areas of contrast moving together near the center of the field-of-view throughout the runtime. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance. AARO Comment: SU-27 and SU-35 are designations for military aircraft operated by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
PDFDoD / AARO · Iraq
DOW-UAP-PR20, Unresolved UAP Report, Kuwait, May 2022
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. military system in 2022. The original reporter digitally altered the imagery by adding a red line encircling an area of interest before submitting it to AARO. An accompanying mission report, DoW-UAP-D12, described the UAP as moving from north to northeast. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP. Image Description: The image contains an encircled, elongated area of contrast in the top left quarter. The area of contrast increases in intensity along its length from top left to bottom right. This image description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
VIDEODoD / AARO · Middle East
DOW-UAP-PR19, Unresolved UAP Report, Middle East, May 2022
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of five seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2022. An accompanying mission report, DoW-UAP-D10, described the observation as a “possible missile” moving across the field-of-view. The report also described four other objects not depicted in the video as “possible birds.” Video Description: At the two second mark, the video depicts an area of contrast moving from left to right across the bottom third of the sensor field-of-view. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.
PDFDoD / AARO · Mediterranean Sea
DOW-UAP-D8, Mission Report, Djibouti, 2025
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported observing two “white hot UAPs.” The reporter estimated the UAP’s speed as approximately 240 nautical miles per hour (276 mph). All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Gulf of Aden
DOW-UAP-D75, Mission Report, Gulf of Aden, July 2024
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported observing one UAP on July 14, 2024. The observer reported that the UAP maintained a “straight flight path at same altitude”. The report notes that the UAP’s “speed was faster than flying speed,” and the operator assessed the object as “benign.” The operator reported following the UAP “till the distance became too far.” All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Syria
DOW-UAP-D74, Mission Report, Syria, November 2023
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported observing one UAP “shaped as a bouncy ball.” The observer described the UAP as traveling “~424kn (483 mph) consistently for at least 7mins.” The reporter described the UAP approaching from the south. The operator assessed the object as “benign.” All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO
DOW-UAP-D7, Mission Report, Arabian Gulf, 2020
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported observing a UAP, describing it as “look[ing] like a balloon.” The report describes the UAP as “traveling with the winds at approximately 31,000 ft.” The visually tracked the UAP via onboard infrared sensor. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Persian Gulf
DOW-UAP-D65, Mission Report, Persian Gulf, July 2020
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported encountering three separate UAP on July 16, 2020, at 1830Z, 1920Z, and 2345Z. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Iran
DOW-UAP-D64, Mission Report, Iran, November 2020
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported observing two UAP on November 2, 2020, at 2143Z and at 2148Z. The first observation occurred at an unknown altitude. The reporter described the second UAP’s direction of travel as proceeding to the northwest. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Strait of Hormuz
DOW-UAP-D63, Mission Report, Strait of Hormuz, October 2020
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported observing a UAP. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Strait of Hormuz
DOW-UAP-D62, Mission Report, Strait of Hormuz, September 2020
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported observing one UAP at an estimated altitude of 1,800 feet. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Persian Gulf
DOW-UAP-D61, Mission Report, Persian Gulf, August 2020
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported observing a “formation of unknown flying objects” traveling northeast to northwest along the coast for approximately two minutes. The report notes that light cloud coverage “prevented the continuous tracking of the formation.” All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Persian Gulf
DOW-UAP-D60, Mission Report, Persian Gulf, August 2020
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported observing one UAP. The report describes the UAP as “transiting” and notes it had “no impact to mission.” The report also states that “dense cloud coverage intermittently impacted FMV collection.” All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Pacific Ocean
DOW-UAP-D6, Mission Report, Arabian Gulf, 2020
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported observing a UAP. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO
DOW-UAP-D58, Range Fouler Debrief, NA, October 2020
This document is a Range Fouler Debrief, a standardized reporting form the U.S. Navy uses to record the circumstances surrounding an unauthorized intrusion into controlled airspace during active military operations or training. These reports contain a narrative description of the observer’s experiences. A U.S. military operator reported an encounter with a group of two UAP. The operator described the UAP as “balloon-shaped,” metallic, and reflective, characterizing them as “2x red blinking strobes.” The report states that “one range fouler was circling around the other.” All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Gulf of Aden
DOW-UAP-D57, Range Fouler Reporting Form, Gulf of Aden, September 2020
This document is a Range Fouler Reporting Form, a standardized reporting form the U.S. Navy uses to record the circumstances surrounding an unauthorized intrusion into controlled airspace during active military operations or training. These reports contain a narrative description of the observer’s experiences. A U.S. military operator reported tracking a “round, cold object” over the Gulf of Aden for eight minutes via “black hot” IR sensor, making the UAP appear “bright white.” The report states that the UAP was “traveling 168 degrees at 277 mph” and “made a few abrupt directional changes” during the encounter. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Arabian Sea
DOW-UAP-D56, Range Fouler Debrief, Arabian Sea, August 2020
This document is a Range Fouler Debrief Form, a standardized reporting form the U.S. Navy uses to record the circumstances surrounding an unauthorized intrusion into controlled airspace during active military operations or training. These reports contain a narrative description of the observer’s experiences. A U.S. military operator reported an encounter with a group of three “unidentified small air contacts” over the North Arabian Sea. The reporter described the UAP as having “wings/airframe” structure, and as initially bearing on a westerly heading. The operator tracked one UAP before losing sight of it behind a cloud. Upon regaining contact, the operator reported observing two additional UAP to the east of the first. The report states that all three objects then “appeared to maintain their relative course, speed, and altitude.” All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Syria
DOW-UAP-D55, Mission Report, Syria, November 2016
This document is a mission briefing summarizing an observation of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) by a U.S. military platform near Latakia, Syria. A U.S. military pilot flying a P-8A aircraft reported observing an object via the aircraft’s EO/IR sensor, which they characterized as appearing to be in “sea skim mode,” traveling at approximately 500 knots (575 mph) on a southeasterly heading. The P-8A lost visual contact with the object after two minutes. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Mediterranean Sea
DOW-UAP-D54, Mission Report, Mediterranean Sea, NA
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported observing one UAP. The report describes the UAP as a “triangular and metallic UAP.” The reporter estimated the UAP’s altitude as 24,989 feet and speed as 168 knots (193mph). All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO
DOW-UAP-D52, Email Correspondance, NA, August 2024
This document is email correspondence describing the content of a mission report and requesting clarification on its content. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Pacific Time Zone
DOW-UAP-D51, Email Correspondence, Pacific Time Zone, March 2023
This document is email correspondence describing the content of a mission report and requesting clarification on its content. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO
DOW-UAP-D50, Email Correspondence, INDOPACOM, April 2025
This document is email correspondence describing the content of a mission report and requesting clarification on its content. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Mediterranean Sea
DOW-UAP-D5, Mission Report, Arabian Gulf, 2020
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported observing two UAP traveling at an estimated speed of 278 knots (320 mph. The observer reported that the UAP “increased speed and changed direction towards the south.” All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO
DOW-UAP-D49, Launch Summary, Vandenberg AFB, 2000
This report summarizes the historical record of launches occurring at Vandenberg Air Force Base between 1958 and 2000.
PDFDoD / AARO
DOW-UAP-D48, Department of the Air Force Report, 1996
This report describes the Modeling of Unlikely Space-Booster Failures in Risk Calculations, documenting historical launch failure modes and recommending corrective actions to address them using novel modelling techniques.
PDFDoD / AARO · Arabian Sea
DOW-UAP-D44, Range Fouler Reporting Form, Gulf of Aden, October 2020
This document is a Range Fouler Reporting Form, a standardized reporting form the U.S. Navy uses to record the circumstances surrounding an unauthorized intrusion into controlled airspace during active military operations or training. These reports contain a narrative description of the observer’s experiences. A U.S. military operator reported observing a “round, cold object” via infrared sensor, traveling at 319 degrees (northwest) at approximately 20 mph. The report describes the UAP making “abrupt directional changes” during the event. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Arabian Gulf
DOW-UAP-D42, Range Fouler Debrief, Japan, 2023
This document is a Range Fouler Debrief Form, a standardized reporting form the U.S. Navy uses to record the circumstances surrounding an unauthorized intrusion into controlled airspace during active military operations or training. These reports contain a narrative description of the observer’s experiences. A U.S. military operator reported observing an “object fly through the screen.” The observer described a second object surpassing the first, at a higher speed. The report describes a total of three UAP “moving amongst each other.” All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO
DOW-UAP-D4, Mission Report, Arabian Gulf, 2020
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported observing a UAP traveling at an estimated speed of 321 knots (369 mph). The observer reported that the UAP “increased speed and changed direction towards the east.” All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Persian Gulf
DOW-UAP-D38, Range Fouler Debrief, Middle East, May 2020
This document is a Range Fouler Debrief, a standardized reporting form the U.S. Navy uses to record the circumstances surrounding an unauthorized intrusion into controlled airspace during active military operations or training. These reports contain a narrative description of the observer’s experiences. A U.S. military operator reported observing a “solid white object [fly] through the [field-of-view]. The reporter described the UAP as making erratic [movements] above the water. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Aegean Sea
DOW-UAP-D35, Mission Report, Greece, October 2023
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported observing a UAP “flying just above the surface of the ocean.” The report describes the UAP as “[flying] straight above the ocean towards lands.” All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Aegean Sea
DOW-UAP-D33, Mission Report, Greece, October 2023
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported observing a UAP “flying just above the surface of the ocean.” The report describes the UAP as taking “multiple 90-degree turns at an estimated 80 mph.” All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Syria
DOW-UAP-D32, Mission Report, Syria, October 2024
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported observing a “misshapen and uneven ball of white light,” describing multiple “glares or light” emanating from an “unknown origin.” The reporter described the UAP as a “light/glare halo effect” at the top of the Full-Motion Video (FMV) feed. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO
DOW-UAP-D3, Mission Report, Arabian Gulf, 2020
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported observing a “line of dots followed by a trailing dot.” All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Iraq
DOW-UAP-D28, Mission Report, Iraq, September 2024
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. While conducting a weapons calibration test, U.S. military operators reported observing a lens flare via MX-20 and MX-25 IR sensors after firing an AGM-176 Griffin air-to-surface missile. The operators described the source of the flare as a UAP moving through the aircraft’s sensor’s field-of-view at a high rate of speed. The reporter assessed that the flare was associated with “a significant heat source.” All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Gulf of Oman
DOW-UAP-D27, Mission Report, United Arab Emirates, October 2023
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported observing one UAP at an estimated altitude of approximately 24,000 feet. The observer estimated the UAP’s speed as 163 knots (187 mph). All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Mediterranean Sea
DOW-UAP-D25, Mission Report, Greece, January 2024
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported observing one UAP, estimating its speed as “approximately 434 knots (499 mph)”. The observer described the UAP as diamond-shaped, with a non-maneuvering probe at the bottom. The observer noted that the UAP was only visible when viewed via an onboard Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) sensor. The observer reported that the event occurred over a duration of approximately two minutes. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Persian Gulf
DOW-UAP-D23, Mission Report, United Arab Emirates, October 2023
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported observing one UAP. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Iraq
DOW-UAP-D20, Mission Report, Iraq, 2023
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported observing “several bright objects maneuvering quickly” west to east northeast. The operator reported achieving a track on the UAP via an onboard targeting pod for approximately 20 seconds. The report describes that UAP then dimmed and disappeared from the targeting pod. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Syria
DOW-UAP-D19, Mission Report, Syria, February 21, 2023
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported observing one “possible balloon” at approximately 2,100 feet. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Iraq
DOW-UAP-D18, Mission Report, Iraq, December 2022
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported observing one “possible UAP” flying from west to east. The observer did not pursue the UAP. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Syria
DOW-UAP-D16, Mission Report, Syria, July 2022
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported observing one UAP move from north to south, with a total duration of under one minute. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Syria
DOW-UAP-D14, Mission Report, Iraq, May 2022
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported observing one UAP flying north to northeast. The observer reported following the UAP for as long as possible but was unable to positively identify it. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Iraq
DOW-UAP-D12, Mission Report, Iraq, May 2022
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported observing one UAP flying north to northeast. The observer reported following the UAP for as long as possible but was unable to positively identify it. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO · Iraq
DOW-UAP-D10, Mission Report, Middle East, May 2022
This document is a Mission Report (MISREP), a standardized reporting form the U.S. Military uses to record the circumstances surrounding its operations. U.S. military services often use MISREPs to report Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) to AARO. The GENTEXT, or “general text” section of these reports often contains important qualitative, contextual information, distinguishing it from the more quantitative, or numerical, data found elsewhere in the report. A U.S. military operator reported observing “5x UAP fly across the screen.” The report continues by describing one of those observations as a “possible missile” and the remaining four as “possible birds.” All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.
PDFDoD / AARO
38_143685_box_Incident_Summaries_173-233
Each of these incident summaries includes a "Check-List - Unidentified Flying Objects" that contains details about the incident. Many summaries also include witness lists or statements and other narrative reports or descriptions.
PDFDoD / AARO
38_143685_box_Incident_Summaries_101-172
Each of these incident summaries includes a "Check-List - Unidentified Flying Objects" that contains details about the incident. Many summaries also include witness lists or statements and other narrative reports or descriptions.
PDFDoD / AARO
38_143685_box7_Incident_Summaries_1-100
Each of these incident summaries includes a "Check-List - Unidentified Flying Objects" that contains details about the incident. Many summaries also include witness lists or statements and other narrative reports or descriptions.
PDFDoD / AARO
342_HS1-416511228_319.1 Flying Discs 1949
This file primarily contains incident reports on Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) written in compliance with the 1948 Flight Service Regulation (FSR) 200-4. The incidents were witnessed by military sources, as well as well as by some Civilian Aviation Authority (CAA) ones. The reports typically include information such as dates, locations, weather, and altitude, plus detailed descriptions of appearance and movement. Some messages from the Military Air Transport Service (MATS) and Army Airways Communications System (AACS) are also included, as well as additional military intelligence reports, several diagrams, and a report from a weather station in Japan.
PDFDoD / AARO · Azerbaijan
341_110677_Numerical_File,_5-2500
Air Intelligence Information Report, 14 October 1955, Report of eye witness account of the ascent and flight of a unconventional aircraft in the trans-Caucasus region on the USSR.
PDFDoD / AARO · Netherlands
341_110448_Records_Relating_to_the_Collection_and_Dissemination_of_Intelligence_1948-1955-TS_CONT_No.2_2-5300-2-5399
An Air Force intelligence report from November 1948 relating to unidentified flying objects and flying saucers.
PDFDoD / AARO · Germany
331_120752_Numeric_Files_1944–1945_37153_German_Armament_Equipment_Documents
This file contains SHAEF messages and memorandums related to "night phenomena (foofighters)," flak rockets, unidentified cylindrical objects, and blinking lights. The documents include multiple references to the observations of the 415th Night Fighter Squadron.
PDFDoD / AARO
18_6369445_General_1948_Vol_1
This file contains memorandums, correspondence, and forms related to the reporting of information on flying discs and investigations into sightings.
PDFDoD / AARO
18_100754_ General 1946-7_Vol_2
This file contains memorandums and correspondence related to flying disc/saucer sightings and that those are a matter of concern for the Air Materiel Command.