DOW-UAP-D057, Range Fouler Reporting Form, Gulf of Aden, September 2020

Department of WarPDFIncident ReportLight redactionPURSUE Release 1

6/10

solid newsworthy item

UAP Insight significance score

Location: Gulf of Aden
Incident date: 9/4/20
Duration: approximately 8 minutes (21:09z to 21:17z)
Witnesses: Human + sensor
Released: May 8, 2026

UAP Characteristics

◉ DiscErratic movementHovering

Evidence Types

IR VideoTestimony

Government Programs Referenced

AAROSPEAR

Official Conclusion

Under investigation / data collection (no conclusive determination stated in document)

Official Description

This document is a Range Fouler Reporting Form, a standardized reporting form the U.S. Navy uses to record the circumstances surrounding an unauthorized intrusion into controlled airspace during active military operations or training. These reports contain a narrative description of the observer’s experiences. A U.S. military operator reported tracking a “round, cold object” over the Gulf of Aden for eight minutes via “black hot” IR sensor, making the UAP appear “bright white.” The report states that the UAP was “traveling 168 degrees at 277 mph” and “made a few abrupt directional changes” during the encounter. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter’s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics.

Key Findings

→A round, cold (IR-dark) object was tracked via ATFLIR-type IR sensor set to 'black hot,' making the object appear bright white, over the Gulf of Aden at 23,819 feet HAT on September 4, 2020 from 21:09z to 21:17z.
→The object traveled on a heading of 168 degrees at 277 mph and made several abrupt directional changes during the approximately 8-minute contact window.
→The sensor was aimed 39 degrees below aircraft altitude with a slant range of 6.17 NM and ground range of 8.81 KM, indicating a reasonably precise sensor-derived track.
→The object was characterized as 'round' in shape with no markings, no visible wings/airframe, no apparent propulsion, and no metallic or translucent appearance noted.
→The reporting unit (SPEAR) sanitizes all identifying information from aircrew and squadron before analysis, and instructions were given to rip display tapes for the full interaction duration.

UAP Insight Analysis— AI generated, not official

A Range Fouler Reporting Form submitted by a U.S. Navy O-3 pilot from 172 ATKS squadron documenting a UAP contact on September 4, 2020, over the Gulf of Aden. The aircrew tracked a round, cold object via infrared sensor for approximately 8 minutes, during which it made several abrupt directional changes while traveling at 277 mph. The document was declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison and approved for release to AARO under FOUO/PA provisions.

Analyst Notes

Single-witness report (one aircrew member, O-3 rank) with no corroborating radar trackfile confirmed or additional sensor cross-check noted. The form indicates 'Stable Trackfile?' field was left blank and 'Tally Achieved' was not checked, meaning no visual tally was obtained — only IR sensor contact. The disclaimer on the document explicitly states all descriptive and estimative language reflects the reporter's subjective interpretation and should not be taken as conclusive evidence of object features or performance characteristics. Abrupt directional changes at 277 mph are notable but derive solely from a single IR sensor track without independent confirmation.

Extracted Entities

People

MG Richard A. Harrison (declassifying authority)

Agencies & Organizations

USCENTCOMAARO172 ATKS squadronSPEAR (reporting/analysis program)

Locations

Gulf of AdenMGRS location 38P LT (partially redacted)

Aircraft & Objects

Round, cold object (IR), traveling 168 degrees at 277 mph at approximately 23,819 feet HATReporting aircraft: 172 ATKS, Buno 23819

Dates

09/04/202021:09:00Z to 21:17:00Z (contact window)

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AI analysis by claude-sonnet-4-6 · May 20, 2026