AARO 2023 Annual UAP Report Explained
On October 17, 2023, the All Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) fulfilled its annual obligation by releasing the much-anticipated UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) report, as mandated by the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022, which was further amended by the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2023. This document, expected with great interest, outlines the US government’s efforts to investigate and understand mysterious aerial phenomena.
The release of the report was accompanied by a statement from Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, who emphasized the utmost importance of safeguarding the safety of service personnel, military installations, and the security of U.S. operations across all domains – land, sea, air, and space. He stressed that the U.S. takes reports of incursions into these areas seriously and conducts thorough examinations of each incident.
In the executive summary, the report states that none of the UAP seen could be positively attributed to a foreign actor. However, it did give the usual dismissive statement about most UAP reports are mere misperceptions and could be solved if there was enough data. AARO has stated multiple times that with enough data, a lot more cases could be resolved. The report also shared the following insights:
A. Overall Trend Analysis:
This latest document, encompassing reports received from August 31, 2022, to April 30, 2023, sheds light on previously uncharted UAP sightings. Out of a total of 291 reports, only 17 originate from outside this specific timeframe, emphasizing the report’s contemporary relevance. Notably, one case of a UAP event occurred within the maritime domain. This spike in reporting can be attributed to enhanced collaboration and coordination across various federal government agencies. As of April 30, 2023, AARO’s repository now boasts a substantial 801 cases.
B. Geographic and Safety Trends:
The UAP phenomenon displays a notable collection bias, with the majority of sightings originating from restricted military airspace. This bias, however, is largely attributable to the heightened presence of personnel and sensors in these critical zones. An intriguing trend is the increasing number of sightings reported by commercial aviators, thereby expanding the geographical distribution of observed UAPs. Nonetheless, the data underscores a noticeable U.S.-centric collection bias compared to global reporting.
C. Role of FAA Sightings:
Intriguingly, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has contributed over 100 UAP reports, continuing to underscore the presence of UAPs near U.S. airspace and adjacent waters. Most of these reports describe sightings of unidentified lights lacking a specific shape, occurring at altitudes ranging from 5,000 to 60,000 feet. Importantly, AARO clarifies that none of these reports were deemed anomalous, posed no threats to the observing aircraft, or engaged in unsafe maneuvers.
D. No Adverse Health Effects Reported:
One reassuring aspect of the report is the absence of any reported adverse health effects resulting from encounters with UAPs. However, it is crucial to note that the report acknowledges the potential for such effects to emerge in the future, highlighting the need for ongoing vigilance.
E. Data and Intelligence Source Channel Used:
AARO’s innovative integrated analysis process is a crucial component of this report, which captures raw data for thorough analysis by both scientists and intelligence experts. This approach involves combing through classified and unclassified channels and data sets to identify pertinent information related to UAP sightings. Notably, AARO prioritizes sensor data for its superior investigative quality. Excitingly, AARO is also actively working to introduce specialized sensors tailored to capture UAP events in the near future, enhancing the precision and reliability of their investigations.
In their Program Analysis section, the AARO unveiled a robust and multifaceted Science & Technology Plan, demonstrating their commitment to harnessing partnerships across various sectors of the U.S. government. The primary objective of this plan is to enhance the capability of systems to identify and capture UAP events. AARO’s strategy involves calibrating data to refine the recognition of known objects that are frequently misperceived as UAPs. This calibrated data will then serve as the foundation for developing a comprehensive training model, intended to provide aviators and armed personnel with the tools and knowledge to more accurately identify UAP occurrences.
In addition, AARO aims to standardize and streamline the process required to declassify UAP event footage, a crucial step in ensuring that a greater volume of data can be shared with the public, promoting transparency and understanding. To facilitate this, their new website will feature a secure mechanism for authorized reporting of UAP sightings, further enhancing the accessibility of valuable information. Moreover, AARO has implemented new processes to enhance classified collaboration and information-sharing among various U.S. government agencies. This fosters a more effective and efficient approach to addressing the UAP phenomenon.
Notably, AARO is actively pursuing closer cooperation with the U.S. Navy and Space Forces, aiming to bolster domain awareness to encompass not only airspace but also outer space and maritime zones. This expanded scope represents a significant step toward comprehensively understanding and addressing UAP occurrences across diverse domains.
In the glossary provided by AARO, two intriguing terms have been defined: “UAP Material,” which pertains to debris associated with Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, and “UAP Engagement,” which refers to military actions directed at Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena. The inclusion of these definitions hints at the possibility of more detailed and potentially classified information related to these subjects in the confidential version of the report.
A comparative analysis between the recent UAP reporting trends and the data presented by Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick to NASA earlier this year reveals intriguing disparities. These variations can be primarily attributed to the inclusion of reports from commercial aviators, significantly broadening the scope of reported UAP encounters.
Notably, the current data highlights a striking observation: the majority of UAP reports lack descriptions of morphology, a detail not prominently featured in the previous dataset. Among the reported morphologies, orbs and spheres continue to represent half of the current dataset. Other shapes, such as ovals, triangles, rectangles, squares, and cylinders, collectively comprise 15% of the dataset. Interestingly, the prevalence of ambiguous sensor contacts has decreased by nearly half, indicating improved clarity in UAP reporting.
Furthermore, the altitude distribution of UAP reports has shifted, with the previous data showing only 6% of reports originating from altitudes above 40,000 feet, primarily associated with commercial air traffic. In the latest report, this number has risen to 10%, signifying a growing presence of UAPs at higher altitudes. The majority of reports still emerge from altitudes between 20,000 and 30,000 feet.
In terms of global hotspots for UAP activity, a noticeable trend emerges. There appears to be a reduced number of reports originating from Northern Europe, Iran/Afghanistan, and the Pacific. Instead, there is an increased concentration of reports from the Arabian Sea, Alaska, and the Mediterranean regions. The U.S. coastlines, Middle East, and the Korean Peninsula continue to dominate the data in both datasets, underscoring the persistence of these regions as focal points for UAP encounters.
The Public's Reaction
The public reaction to this latest UAP report mirrors the response to the earlier one. Many within the UFO community have expressed dissatisfaction, labeling the report as a “nothing-burger” and raising questions about Dr. Kirkpatrick’s sincerity in engaging with the public. Notably, AARO’s report does not mention the numerous witnesses who claim to have encountered UAPs interfering with nuclear weaponry. Furthermore, the report does not present any new images or footage, which could provide visual evidence of these encounters. Instead, AARO chooses to showcase only a resolved case, a decision that leaves some perplexed.
It is worth noting that the public already understands that the majority of UAP reports are likely the result of misperceptions. However, it is the unresolved cases that hold the potential to answer significant questions, and AARO’s report seems to overlook this critical aspect.
AARO’s report also fails to address the issues raised by Rep. Matt Gaetz, who initially faced challenges when seeking access to servicemen willing to make protected disclosures. When Rep. Gaetz did eventually meet with the pilots and review the data, he was confronted with accounts of multiple UAPs flying in formation, displaying characteristics he had never witnessed before. He underscored his confidence in American and foreign capabilities, citing his oversight of DARPA.
John Greenwald Jr., a prominent authority on Freedom of Information Act requests who operates ‘The Black Vault‘ website, draws parallels between AARO’s modus operandi and the earlier Project Blue Book. He points out that both initiatives were initiated due to surges in public interest and pressure from congressmen. However, both agencies operated with a level of secrecy and often aimed at debunking UAP issues rather than scientifically exploring them. The increasing secrecy and media silence surrounding the topic lead Greenwald to believe that the current disclosure movement may follow a similar trajectory as the previous one, culminating in a report akin to the Condon Report, asserting that the majority of sightings can be explained, thus dismissing the need for further investigation.
Indeed, it seems that the hope of uncovering the truth about UAPs may rest in the hands of Congress, as they attempt to pry open doors within the Defense Department and the intelligence community. However, there is reason for skepticism in this regard as well. The UAP Disclosure Act represents the public’s hope for substantial progress in understanding these phenomena. For now, all eyes are on whether the provisions of the bill will be diligently followed, allowing the American public to gain transparency and maintain oversight over the complexities of the defense industry.
