DOW-UAP-D094, Analysis of Flying Object Incidents in the United States, 1949

Official Conclusion

It must be accepted that some type of flying objects have been observed, although their identification and origin are not discernible; in the interest of national defense it would be unwise to overlook the possibility that some of these objects may be of foreign origin.

Official Description

This file contains a U.S. Air Force (USAF) Air Intelligence Division study, “Analysis of Flying Object Incidents in the United States,” Study No. 203, dated 04/28/1949. The analysis includes an assessment of various reported unidentified flying object (UFO) incidents and theories to account for their nature and origin. Overall, the study assesses that “it appears that some object has been seen; however, the identification of that object cannot be readily accomplished.” The study offers that two “reasonable” origins might account for the phenomena: technologies of a domestic or foreign origin. It also suggests that, if foreign, it is prudent for the United States to assume that UFO observations are attributable to scientific, military, or intelligence activities of the Soviet Union, and, in that case, to take seriously the threat such objects may pose. The file also contains selected contemporary UFO reports and examples of experimental “flying wing” type aircraft planforms that might account for certain commonly reported UFO characteristics. AARO Comment: This file appears to be a later revision of the file contained in DOW-UAP-D093, whose content is substantively similar.

Key Findings

• →Approximately 210 flying object incidents were reported by credible observers including USAF rated officers, U.S. Weather Bureau personnel, commercial airline pilots, and civilian technicians, supporting the conclusion that some type of flying object has been observed.
• →Described objects fall into three configuration categories: disk-shaped, rough cigar-shaped, and balls of fire, with analysts suggesting these may represent a single object type viewed from different angles.
• →The study concludes the origin of the objects is not ascertainable, but identifies two possibilities: domestic devices (weather balloons, experimental flying-wing aircraft, celestial phenomena) or foreign — most logically Soviet — unconventional aircraft.
• →Radar intercepts at Hokkaido and Fukuoka, Japan in 1947 recorded unidentified targets at speeds of 500-900 mph, providing sensor corroboration of unusual aerial activity; one radar target split into two returns each estimated larger than a P-51.
• →A 1952 memorandum for record appended to the file concluded it was not advisable to declassify Study No. 203 because it contained speculation on Soviet AOB, atomic energy installations, U.S. R&D activity, and Soviet intentions regarding controlled aerial missiles over the U.S.

Extracted Entities