FOIA release DF-2021-00275: Preliminary Assessment: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena

(U) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
(U) The limited amount of high-quality reporting on UAP hampers our ability to draw firm
conclusions about the nature or intent of UAP. The UAPTF considered a range of
information on UAP described in U.S. military and IC (Intelligence Community) reporting, but
because the reporting lacked sufficient specificity, ultimately recognized that a unique, tailored
reporting process was required to provide sufficient data for analysis of UAP events.
As a result, the UAPTF concentrated its review on describing
incidents that occurred between 2004 and 2021, the majority of which are a result of a
new tailored process to better capture UAP events through formalized reporting.
 (U) Most of the UAP reported probably do represent physical objects given that a
majority of UAP registered across multiple sensors, to include radar, infrared, electro-
optical, weapon seekers, and visual observation.
In a limited number of incidents, UAP reportedly appeared to exhibit unusual
flight characteristics, including several in which the
involving
These observations could be the result of sensor errors, spoofing, or observer
misperception and require additional rigorous analysis.
(U) There are probably multiple types of UAP requiring different explanations based on
the range of appearances and behaviors described in the available reporting. Our analysis
of the data supports the construct that if and when individual UAP incidents are resolved they
will fall into one of five potential explanatory categories: airborne clutter, natural atmospheric
phenomena, USG or U.S. industry developmental programs, foreign adversary systems, and a
catchall “other” bin.
(U) UAP clearly pose a safety of flight issue and may pose a challenge to U.S. national
security. Safety concerns primarily center on aviators contending with an increasingly cluttered
air domain. UAP would also represent a national security challenge if they are foreign adversary
collection platforms or provide evidence a potential adversary has developed either a
breakthrough or disruptive technology.
(U) Consistent consolidation of reports from across the federal government, standardized
reporting, increased collection and analysis, and a streamlined process for screening all
such reports against a broad range of relevant USG data will allow for a more
sophisticated analysis of UAP that is likely to deepen our understanding. Some of these
steps are resource-intensive and would require additional investment.(b)(3)(b)(1)(b)(3)(b)(1)(b)(3)(b)(3)(b)(1)(b)(3)(b)(3)(b)(3)Approved for release by ODNI on 03-24-2022, FOIA case DF-2021-00275Approved for release by ODNI on 03-24-2022, FOIA case DF-2021-00275