Range Fouler Debrief, Arabian Sea, August 2020
- Date
- 24 Aug 2020
- Place
- Arabian Sea
- Record
- Pentagon file
- Assessment
- Not assessed
- Evidence strength
What was reported
Range Fouler Debrief: an aircrew (HSM-73) reported 3x possible unidentified small air contacts over the North Arabian Sea with a visible 'wings/airframe' structure, initially heading west. One contact was tracked before being lost behind a cloud; upon reacquisition, two additional contacts appeared to the east of the first. All three then appeared to maintain relative course, speed and altitude. Negative ES (electronic support), radar track, and IFF; distance and speed to contact were unknown.
What officials concluded
Unresolved
The file gives no official explanation.
- Agency
- Department of War
- Released in
- 123456
Evidence profile
- Yes: Visual
- No: Infrared
- No: 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
- No: 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
- No: Cylinder
- No: Cube
- Yes: Other shape
- No: Physiological
- No: Physical trace
- No: Electromagnetic
- No: Sound
- No: Silent
Why this rating Visual-only; a visible 'wings/airframe' structure with no radar or IFF return is most simply explained by distance/altitude below those sensors' effective range rather than an unusual signature, and a formation of three small fixed shapes maintaining relative position is a description also consistent with birds.
As described in the file
- Witnesses
- One aircrew (HSM-73)
- Sensors
- Visual
- Shape
- Wings/airframe structure visible
- Motion
- Westerly heading, maintaining relative course/speed/altitude as a group
- Duration
- Not quantified
- Altitude or range
- Not stated (contact altitude field blank)
Pentagon files
DOW-UAP-D056, Range Fouler Debrief, Arabian Sea, August 2020
Open the original on war.gov
What the file claims
- Unverified
Three small air contacts with a visible wings/airframe structure were seen maintaining relative course, speed and altitude as a loose formation, with negative radar, IFF and electronic-support returns.
On the map
15.00° N, 65.00° E, a position at sea, approximate
Show on the map