Analysis of Flying Object Incidents in the United States, 1948

This 10 December 1948 intelligence analysis, marked declassified, examines about 210 reported flying object incidents in the United States. It sorts the reports into disk-shaped objects, cigar-shaped objects and balls of fire, and weighs domestic misidentification against a possible Soviet origin, with particular attention to German flying-wing designs. It concludes that some type of flying object has been observed but that its identification and origin cannot be determined. Appendices plot the sightings, give selected incident reports and describe flying-wing aircraft.

From the source: Release of 2026-07-10 Incident: 12/10/48, Virginia. This file contains a U.S. Air Force (USAF) Air Intelligence Division study, “Analysis of Flying Object Incidents in the United States,” Study No. 203, dated 12/10/1948. The analysis includes an assessment of various reported unidentified flying object (UFO) incidents and theories to account for their nature and origin. Overall, the study assesses that “it appears that some object has been seen; however, the identification of that object cannot be readily accomplished.” The study offers that two “reasonable” origins might account for the phenomena: technologies of a domestic or foreign origin. It also suggests that, if foreign, it is prudent for the United States to assume that UFO observations are attributable to scientific, military, or intelligence activities of the Soviet Union, and, in that case, to take seriously the threat such objects may pose. The file also contains contemporary UFO reports and examples of experimental “flying wing” type aircraft planforms that might account for certain commonly reported UFO characteristics. AARO Comment: This file appears to be an earlier draft version of the file contained in DOW-UAP-D094, whose content is substantively similar.

Kurm;ti kha. is identified as one of a number of airfields for the pro-
- tection ot an atomic energy plant at Irkutsk. The Horten XllI as
developed by Oermny ,ms o. glider.
10. Assu.idng that the objects might t,ventually be identifiod as
forei~ or foreign-sponsored dev-lces, the possible reason for their
appe,arance over the u.s. requires consideration. Several posoible ex
planations appsnr noteworthy,, v.i.zi
a. To ne~te u.s. confidence in the a.tom bomb as tho moot
advanced ond decisive weapon in warfare .
b. To perform photographic reconnaissance missions.
c. To test u.s. air defenoeo.
d . To conduct :f'ami.liari~ation £lights over u.s. territoey.
OONCLUSI<llS
u . Since tm .Ur r.-orce is reaponsiblo for control or the air in
- the dofcnae of the u.s~, it is 1.mperativn that all other agenoies oo-
opsratc, 1n confirming or denying the poeoibility that theae obje-,ts
have a domestic or1:61n• otherwiao, if it is fir.inly indicated t.bat
there 1a no d01ne1t10 explanation, tM object• are a throa~ and warrant
m.ore activo etforta of identification and intorc~tion.
12. It mua-t be accepted tmt some type of fi1ina obj•ots ha'Ye been
obae"11d, although the i r identification and origin are not diaoernabl.e.
Di the intereot ot' national defense it would bj un'rfiN to overlook the
po~sibility that e e ot tmee objects i:ny bs of toreia;i origin•
4 Inole1
l~ " d1X "A" - Analyaie of Flying Objeot Inoidents in tbl u.s. and
Hypoth9t1oal Taotios Employed
.Appendix "B• - Plot or Flying Objeo'b S1Sht,1np in the U.S.
Appendix II C1' .. Selected Reports of Plying ObJeot Incident•
Appl.tldb. ?tD• - FlJing lfinl Type Airoratt