The National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (Nicap)

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# SECTION II INTELLIGENT CONTROL

What is "intelligence"? In reference to human behavior, we usually use the word to mean the application of logic and reason to understand nature or solve human problems. However, we observe "intelligence" by observing the behavior of people as they go about their affairs. We infer that they are intelligent or unintelligent by noticing their apparent awareness of their environment, and how they cope with problems in their environment. We note their behavior as individuals, and in groups. The ability of people to act in concert to accomplish mutual goals generally is considered to be intelligent activity.

in regard to the question of whether aerial devices are intelligently controlled, how is intelligence indicated by the performance of aircraft? If we did not know that the airliners and military jets we see coursing through the sky were guided by pilots, how would their actions lead us to suspect this? First, we might observe some jets rendezvousing, joining formation, then proceeding to act in concert. Then we might see a jet depart from its course and circle a balloon, apparently curious about it, before continuing on its way. Finally, we might notice indications (smoke trails, mechanical parts, high performance, etc.) which suggest to us that these are powered mechanical objects. This would imply intelligent construction and guidance.

UFOs have shown all of these features:

V Inquisitiveness, and reaction to environment.

Powered flight.

$ \surd $ Formations in coordinated flight.

Reasoning by analogy to human devices and intelligence, the hypothesis that UFOs are intelligently operated is explored below. Caution is required in using this method of reasoning, because it is conceivable that actions which we normally associate with intelligence may not seem so to alien beings, and vice versa. However, there is a good chance that there would be an overlap of "intelligent behavior" between human and alien beings. In particular, we should expect any intelligent beings to be fundamentally curious about things in their environment. Curiosity underlies the acquisition of useful knowledge, which is necessary to intelligence.

In addition to the evidence advanced in this section, other sections contain data showing (a) that UFOs show repeating patterns suggesting a unique and unexplained phenomenon [Section XII], (b) that the observed objects and patterns have no counterparts among atmospheric phenomena which could account for them in terms of known events [Section XII: Maneuvers and Flight Characteristics], and (c) that the hypothesis of intelligently operated devices is reasonable, and adequate to explain the data.

## Inquisitiveness

## and Reaction to Environment

In case after case, UFOs singly or in formation have paced or followed automobiles, trains, airplanes, and rockets. Often the UFOs have circled the device and taken "evasive action" when pursued.

A Monon Railroad freight train was proceeding through Clinton County, Central Indiana, October 3, 1958. About 3:10 a.m. a formation of four odd white lights crossed ahead of the train. The UFOs turned and traversed the full length of the train, front to back (about a half mile) observed by the entire crew.

After passing the rear of the train, the objects swung east, turned back and followed the train. The bright glow concealed the exact shape of the UFOs, but they appeared flattened and sometimes flew on edge. Operating part of the time in-line abreast with coordinated motions, the objects followed the train until

the conductor shone a bright light on them. Immediately, the UFOs sped away, but returned quickly and continued to pace the train. Total time of observation: about 1 hour 10 minutes. Finally the UFOs moved away to the northeast and disappeared.

The coordinated maneuvers in formation, reaction to a bright beam of light, and pacing of the train, all suggest some form of intelligence. [1]

Similar cases of vehicles being paced by UFOs also have been reported by experienced observers such as pilots and missile trackers. At White Sands, New Mexico, June 10, 1949, a missile had just been launched when two circular UFOs appeared. As the missile accelerated to about 1,430 mph, the UFOs climbed after it, passed through its exhaust, passed the missile and climbed out of sight. Five separate observation and tracking posts, scattered around the nearby mountains and not in communication with one another, reported observing this performance. One of the posts tracked a similar UFO several minutes later, as it sped west against the wind. [2]

## Inquisitiveness and Reaction

Fifty sample cases in which UFOs displayed apparent awareness of their environment, charted here, are divided into two basic types: (a) UFOs which paced vehicles or otherwise appeared to be inquisitive about human devices; (b) UFOs which evaded or otherwise reacted to human devices. (All reports on file at NICAP.)

FEB. 28, 1904 U.S.S. SUPPLY