Documents / Analysis
This case resolution from the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), U.S. Department of War, is dated 8 September 2025. It reviews 17 minutes and 30 seconds of infrared footage recorded on 23 October 2017 by an aerostat blimp above Al Taqaddum Air Base, Iraq. AARO concludes with high confidence that the object showed no anomalous behavior and was consistent with a cluster of fully and partially inflated balloons drifting with the wind. It rejects a partner's suggestion that the object was a camouflaged quadrotor drone.
UNCLASSIFIED 1 UNCLASSIFIED All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) U.S. Department of War Case: “The Al Taqaddum Object” Case Resolution | 8 September 2025 AARO Assessment and Case Status AARO assesses with high confidence that the Al Taqaddum object did not exhibit anomalous behavior or capabilities. AARO assesses with high confidence that the object was consistent with a cluster of fully and partially inflated balloons (Figure 1). Case Overview On October 23, 2017, an infrared (IR) sensor aboard an aerostat force protection dirigible (blimp) operating at 2,700 feet above Al Taqaddum Air Base, Iraq, recorded 17 minutes and 30 seconds of footage featuring an unidentified object that appears to be floating above the ground. Key Findings AARO assesses with high confidence that the object: • Did not exhibit anomalous speed or other behavior exceeding known state- of-the-art performance characteristics • Was consistent with a cluster of fully and partially inflated balloons AARO based this assessment on analysis of full-motion video, video metadata, line-of-sight, scenario reconstructions, and weather data analysis. The object’s appearance and lack of thermal signatures is consistent with previously identified balloon clusters, and bolsters AARO’s assessment of the morphology and performance characteristics of the object. Case Synopsis Location: Al Taqaddum Air Base, Iraq Date: 23 October 2017 Object Altitude (Reported): Not reported Object Altitude (Assessed): 850-2,200 feet Object Speed (Reported): Not reported Object Speed (Assessed): 4-14 mph Object Shape (Reported): Abnormally shaped Object Shape (Assessed): Balloon shaped Reporter: Unknown Data Type: Infrared Reported Behavior: Floating Assessed Behavior: The object did not demonstrate anomalous performance characteristics. Confidence: High confidence that the object did not demonstrate anomalous performance characteristics. High confidence that the object was consistent with a cluster of fully and partially inflated balloons.25-P-1190
Analysis, from the aaro collection. The PDF is mirrored here; the original link is above. 3 pages are in the text index: search them above, or from the library's search.