The Department of War has made public a video recording showing an unidentified aerial phenomenon, or UAP, that was observed by a military aircraft on October 7, 2020. The footage, cataloged under reference number PR 83, was captured by a platform operating under the designation “Callsign,” a generic placeholder used in the declassified file. This disclosure is part of the Department’s ongoing transparency initiatives under the PURSUE policy framework, which was established in 2023. That policy requires the review and potential declassification of UAP-related materials that do not compromise national security or reveal sensitive sources and methods.
The video was recorded by an onboard sensor and depicts an object with flight characteristics that are not immediately identifiable as any known aircraft or natural phenomenon. According to the sensor data, the object maintained a consistent altitude and velocity throughout the observation period, which lasted several minutes.
File metadata indicates the recording took place at an undisclosed location, though operational context suggests the platform was engaged in routine training or surveillance activities. While the Department has not specified the exact sensor type used, analysts have noted that the footage appears consistent with infrared or electro-optical systems commonly employed on military platforms. The release is part of a broader effort coordinated by the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, or AARO.
This office operates under the Office of the Secretary of Defense and is responsible for investigating UAP reports across the military and intelligence communities. AARO has been tasked with cataloging and analyzing UAP reports spanning decades, with the goal of determining their nature and origin.
The Department has not identified the object as extraterrestrial or attributed it to any foreign adversary. The report notes that the UAP remains unexplained pending further analysis. Officials emphasized that the release is intended to inform public understanding without encouraging unfounded speculation.
“The Department of War is committed to transparency regarding UAP encounters,” a spokesperson stated. “This release provides raw data for independent researchers and the public to examine.” Context from the filename shows the recording was made in 2020, a year when UAP reports increased across multiple military branches.
The Department has previously declassified videos from 2014 and 2015, including the well-known “Gimbal” and “Go Fast” clips. The 2020 footage adds to a growing repository of sensor data that AARO analysts are studying to identify patterns or technological signatures. Looking ahead, AARO can request additional data from the operating unit, including radar logs, maintenance records, and operator interviews.
The office may also task other sensors to re-examine the area if similar phenomena recur. The Department has not announced a timeline for further releases but stated that additional declassifications are expected as reviews are completed under the PURSUE framework.
