The Department of War has made public a previously classified report detailing an unresolved unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) encounter that took place in European airspace in 2022. The document, labeled PR-012, was released in accordance with the Pentagon’s PURSUE policy framework, a transparency initiative established in 2023. The declassified report does not specify the exact location or the type of military platform involved.
However, it confirms that multiple sensors aboard a military aircraft captured the event during a routine training mission. The UAP was detected simultaneously by radar and electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors.
According to the report, the object displayed no visible propulsion system or aerodynamic control surfaces. It maintained a consistent altitude and speed that did not match any known aircraft or weather phenomena. The sensor data includes telemetry from the aircraft’s radar warning receiver and a video feed from its targeting pod.
The released version omits certain technical details to safeguard operational security. The document does not state whether ground-based radar systems tracked the object or if other aircraft in the area observed it.
The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) reviewed the incident and classified it as “unresolved.” AARO’s analysis found that the object’s performance—including its lack of a thermal signature and sudden acceleration—could not be explained by conventional means. However, the office could not definitively rule out advanced foreign technology or a sensor malfunction. The declassification is part of a broader effort by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to meet congressional requirements for UAP transparency.
The PURSUE policy mandates that the Department of War release unclassified UAP reports within 180 days of review, provided national security is not compromised. The report was originally classified due to the sensitivity of the sensor capabilities involved, but the Department determined that a redacted version could be released safely.
The filename, PR-012-unresolved-uap-report-europe-2022, indicates this is the twelfth report released under the policy. Previous releases have covered incidents in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific region. The report does not include video footage or detailed imagery, as those remain classified. It does provide a narrative summary, noting the observation lasted approximately 90 seconds and the object traveled at an estimated speed of Mach 0.8.
Moving forward, AARO may request additional data from the originating unit, including raw sensor logs and maintenance records, to further investigate. The office may also interview the aircrew and ground controllers involved.
AARO’s director has stated the office will continue to prioritize unresolved cases and release updated findings as they become available. The Department of War has not indicated whether any follow-up analysis is currently underway for this specific report.
