The Department of War has made public a previously classified document that records an unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) incident that took place in 2020 somewhere in the Middle East. Processed under the agency’s PURSUE policy framework, the file was handled by the All‑domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) in coordination with the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
According to the declassified material, a military aircraft operating in the region detected an unknown object. While the exact type of aircraft is not disclosed, the platform’s sensors captured both visual and radar signatures of the object for several minutes. The data show that the object performed maneuvers that differ from the flight envelope of known aircraft, maintaining high speeds and executing rapid directional changes without any visible propulsion system.
The report, labeled PR42 in the Department of War’s UAP reporting system, is classified as “unresolved.” After an initial assessment, analysts were unable to match the observed phenomenon to any known aircraft, drone, or natural atmospheric event. The document does not indicate whether the object threatened the aircraft or its crew, nor does it contain speculation about the object’s origin.
Technical excerpts in the file include estimates of the object’s speed, altitude and trajectory, though specific numbers have been redacted to protect sensor capabilities. The object also failed to emit any detectable electronic signals or communications, a factor that helped eliminate certain conventional platforms from consideration. Under the PURSUE policy, which obligates the Department of War to collect and evaluate UAP reports from military sources, AARO has been tasked with reviewing older cases and releasing them when possible.
The agency plans to seek additional information from the unit involved, such as maintenance records and crew statements, and may also request corroborating data from other intelligence assets, including satellite and ground‑based sensors. The release is part of a broader transparency initiative aimed at informing the public about UAP encounters while safeguarding operational details.
Officials emphasize that, to date, no evidence has emerged linking the observed object to extraterrestrial technology. Future declassifications are expected as AARO continues its analysis and as further data become available. The ongoing investigation remains open, reflecting the Department of War’s commitment to systematically address unidentified aerial phenomena.
