Office of the Secretary of Defense: 07_2024_Annual_Report

UNCLASSIFIED
APPENDIX A: GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Active Archive: Cases lacking sufficient data to facilitate analysis are placed in an archive
where they will be held for pattern of life and for trend analysis or reexamined if additional data
becomes available. Archived cases may be reopened and resolved should additional information
emerge to support analysis.
Airborne UAP: Sources of anomalous detections between Earth's mean sea level and the
Karman Line.
Maritime UAP: Sources of anomalous detections at or below Earth's mean sea level within a
body of water.
Spaceborne UAP: Sources of anomalous detections above the Karman Line (i.e., 100
kilometers above Earth's mean sea level).
Transmedium UAP: Sources of anomalous detections that transit more than one domain.
Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP): Sources of anomalous detections in one or more
domain (i.e., airborne, maritime, spaceborne, and/or transmedium) that are not attributable to
known actors and that demonstrate behaviors that are not readily understood by sensors or
observers. “Anomalous detections” include but are not limited to phenomena that demonstrate
apparent capabilities or material that exceed known performance envelopes. A UAP may consist
of one or more unidentified anomalous objects and may persist over an extended period of time.
UAP Attribution: The assessed natural or artificial source of the phenomenon and includes
solar, weather, tidal events; U.S. Government, scientific, industry, and private activities; and
foreign (allied or adversary) government, scientific, industry, and private activities.
UAP Data: Any records of UAP detection, observation, identification, effects (on persons or
equipment), mitigation, and material exploitation. UAP data includes but is not limited to:
written notes, still photography and full-motion video, audio recordings, full- and partial-
spectrum characterization, and digital records from observers, sensors, platforms, debriefers, and
investigators.
UAP Engagement: Bringing UAP under kinetic or non-kinetic fire, to deny, disrupt, or destroy
the phenomenon and/or its object(s).
UAP Incident: Any occurrence where UAP is detected by persons or sensors.
UAP Incursion: Any UAP incident in, on, or near U.S. military installations, operating areas,
training areas, special use airspace, proximity operations, and/or other national security areas of
interest. Other areas of interest include but are not limited to U.S. critical infrastructure, IC
installations and platforms, and national defense equities of military allies and intelligence
coalitions (e.g., Five Eyes (FVEY)).
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UNCLASSIFIED07Page determined to be Unclassified
Reviewed by Chief of Staff, AARO
IAW FY24 NDAA, Section 1841 (a)(1)(C)
Date: 02/05/2025