The U.S. government recently released a set of three previously classified UFO videos, a small portion of over 650 potential sightings currently under investigation.
The Head of the Defense Department's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), Sean Kirkpatrick, shared insights stating approximately half of these sightings appear notably unusual and intriguing.
Kirkpatrick, while appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, revealed these findings. This was only the second public hearing in the last half-century where UFOs were a central topic of discussion, the first one taking place last year.
The majority of these Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) or UFOs, as they are commonly known, have been detected off the coasts of the U.S, the Middle East, and the South China Sea region. Most sightings occur within the altitude range of 15,000 to 25,000 feet - a popular air corridor.
Presenting an overview of his department's activities, Kirkpatrick discussed specific cases where new UFO footage had been declassified. He also drew attention to the potential "advanced tech" and "emerging capabilities" of foreign adversaries, notably Russia and China, as potential causes for concern.
While Kirkpatrick confirmed that there was no substantial evidence to suggest extraterrestrial activity or technology that contradicts known laws of physics, the characteristics of reported UAPs are generally "round, with atypical orientation", and are about 1 to 4 meters in length, presenting in "white, silver, or translucent" colors.
Among the 650 cases currently being investigated, half have been prioritized due to their notably anomalous nature. Below, we delve into the recently declassified UAP videos and the DoD's evaluation:
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Middle East Object: Captured by an American MQ-9 Reaper drone in July 2022, this footage reveals a silver, orb-like entity swiftly entering and exiting the frame. AARO suggested the object, while unidentified, was not exhibiting "anomalous behavior".
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South Asian Object 1: This footage from January 2023, also captured by a U.S. military drone, features an unidentified object with an "apparent atmospheric wake". Despite initial intrigue, AARO concluded that the object is likely a commercial aircraft, with video compression causing the trailing effect.
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South Asian Object 2: This is an extension of the previous footage, featuring the same object with a longer focal length. Despite apparent movements, DoD attributed it to sensor adjustments to focus on the fast-moving UAP, again likely a commercial aircraft.
AARO's objective is to understand and respond to UFO sightings better, given the inherent potential risks to safety and security, particularly for military personnel and resources.
Efforts are underway to enhance data collection, refine reporting requirements, and systematically resolve cases. However, Kirkpatrick called for patience, stating that a significant number of UAP reports could be attributed to more commonplace causes such as balloons, unmanned aerial systems, natural phenomena, or "other readily explainable sources."
While a lack of data leaves many cases unresolved, Kirkpatrick emphasized the importance of following scientific evidence in unraveling the mysteries of these new UFO footages.