The Department of War has made public a video recording of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon, or UAP, that was captured by a military aircraft in the Middle East during 2023. The footage was declassified and released after a review conducted by the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, known as AARO, in coordination with the Office of the Secretary of Defense. The video, recorded on an unspecified date in 2023, depicts a small metallic object moving at high speed and altitude.
According to the video’s filename, the aircraft that captured the footage was operating under the callsign “Mission UAP” and carried an electro-optical and infrared sensor. The object is seen performing a rapid turn and accelerating, with no visible propulsion system or control surfaces.
This release falls under the PURSUE policy, an acronym for “Proactive UAP Resolution and Secure Understanding Environment.” The Department of War established this framework to require the systematic declassification of UAP reports that do not threaten national security. The video carries the designation PR58, meaning it is the 58th such release under this policy. The report that accompanies the video does not identify the object or offer a definitive explanation.
It states that the sensor data is consistent with a physical object, but no telemetry or radar track data was included in the public release. The specific location and mission details remain classified, though the footage is believed to have been recorded during a routine patrol.
AARO, which leads the analysis of UAP incidents for the Department of Defense, confirmed that multiple analysts reviewed the video and could not identify the object. The office noted that the object’s performance characteristics, particularly its ability to sustain high-G maneuvers without visible heat or exhaust, are not consistent with known aircraft or drones. The release is part of ongoing Pentagon efforts to increase transparency regarding UAP encounters.
AARO has the authority to request additional data from the unit that captured the footage, including radar logs, maintenance records, and operator interviews. The office may also assign additional sensors or conduct further analysis if deemed necessary.
AARO will continue to evaluate the PR58 case and may issue updates as new information becomes available. The office encourages military personnel to report similar encounters through established channels. The Department of War has not announced a date for the next PURSUE release.
