Alaska high-altitude object shoot-down
- Date
- 10 Feb 2023
- Place
- Over the Beaufort Sea near Deadhorse, Alaska, United States
- Record
- Curated case
- Assessment
- Contested
- Evidence strength
What was reported
An object detected by U.S. radar over Alaska on the evening of 9 February 2023, flying at about 40,000 ft, was tracked by an E-3 AWACS and inspected by F-35 and F-22 pilots, who found it uncrewed; it was described as cylindrical, silvery and roughly the size of a small car, and pilots gave differing accounts of it. An F-22 shot it down over sea ice off Deadhorse on 10 February. The debris search was abandoned on 18 February. President Biden said on 16 February that it was most likely a balloon tied to private companies, recreation or research institutions; no debris was recovered to confirm it.
What officials concluded
Tentative explanation
Most likely a commercial or research balloon (White House)
Strongest ordinary reading
Small commercial, hobby or research balloon; no debris recovered
Evidence profile
- Yes: Visual
- No: Infrared
- Yes: Radar
- No: Video
- No: Photo
- No: Film
- No: Audio
- No: Night vision
- No: Other sensor
- No: Civilian
- Yes: Military aircrew
- No: Military ground
- No: Airline crew
- Yes: Sensor operator
- No: Law enforcement
- No: Scientist
- No: Astronaut
- No: Intelligence official
- No: Other
- No: Light only
- No: Orb or sphere
- No: Disc
- No: Triangle
- Yes: Cylinder
- No: Cube
- No: Other shape
- No: Physiological
- No: Physical trace
- No: Electromagnetic
- No: Sound
- No: Silent
Outside sources
- Wikipedia: 2023 Alaska high-altitude objecten.wikipedia.org
On the map
70.40° N, 148.50° W, a position at sea, approximate
Show on the map