Aerial Objects Task Force

The White House stated (February 13) that it is forming an interagency task force to "study the broader policy implications for detection, analysis and disposition of unidentified aerial objects that pose either safety or security risks." 

This action is being taken in light of recent unidentified and identified objects that the US shot down, and perceived gaps in policy and coordination.

This effort is separate from a NASA group announced in October charged with reviewing past UFO/UAP data.

(posted: 2-14-23)

_________________________

Annual UAP Report Results

The White House Office of the Director of National Intelligence released (January 12) an unclassified version of its annual Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) report as required in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022.

The report provides a general, summary status of the current assessment of the latest data. In total, there are now a grand total of 510 sighting reports being assessed, including 247 new UAP sighting reports post-March 2021, and another 119 older reports discovered and added to the assessment list (for a total of 366 new reports). The report says that the majority of new UAP reporting originates from US Navy and Air Force aviators and operators.

The report provides that an initial characterization of the 366 new reports found that 171 cannot be explained; that, some of the “uncharacterized" UAP appear to have demonstrated unusual flight characteristics or performance capabilities, and require further analysis.

The report suggests we could in the future see much more UAP reporting. The report says that UAP reporting has increased “partially due to a concentrated effort to destigmatize the topic of UAP and instead recognize the potential risks that it poses as both a safety of flight hazard and potential adversarial activity.”

The report does not include much information, at least in unclassified form, regarding efforts to further identify and mitigate any potential UAP risks.

(posted: 1-12-23)

_________________________

Independent NASA Study

NASA named (October 25) the members of its independent study team for its study previously announced in June.

The team will examine unclassified UAP data, connecting this effort to its subsidiary mission of advancing aircraft and airspace safety. The study will identify the best current data available to NASA that would contribute to an understanding of UAPs, what data should be collected going forward, and how best to analyze it for this purpose.

NASA says it will take about nine months to complete the study, and it expects the results to be shared publicly.

(updated: 10-25-22)

_________________________

Congressional UAP Hearing

The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence held a hearing on UAPs (May 17, 2022). While there was not a lot of new information reported that departed from the intelligence report on UAPs released last June, Pentagon officials did say that there are now close to 400 reports from military personnel of possible UAP encounters, up from 144 reported last year. 

Also divulged during the hearing was that there have been 11 “near misses” of UAPs with military aircraft. With respect to UAP cases where propulsion of the UAP cannot be explained, the officials stated that they know of no U.S. adversaries who may have such technology.

(updated: 5-17-22)

_________________________

DOD Office on UAPs

The 2022 National Defense Authorization Act requires the establishment of a new office in the Department of Defense to address "unidentified aerial phenomena" (UAPs). The office will collect UAP information, conduct analysis, and coordinate UAP information among appropriate Federal agencies. 

The office will be required to submit an annual report to Congress that must include a variety of information, including a description of UAP-aligned incidents that occur each year and  comprehensive details about those “associated with military nuclear assets, including strategic nuclear weapons and nuclear-powered ships and submarines.” 

The law also requires that the report contain “an assessment of any health-related effects for individuals that have encountered unidentified aerial phenomena.” 

(updated: 2-2-22)

_________________________