A Range Fouler Reporting Form submitted by an O-2 ranked aircrew member from the 172 ATKS squadron documenting a UAP encounter over the Gulf of Aden on October 15, 2020. The report describes a round, cold (IR-dark) object detected via infrared sensor at 14:18:39Z, traveling northwest at approximately 20 mph and making abrupt directional changes during a roughly 73-second contact window. The document was declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison and released under USCENTCOM MDR 26-0038 to MDR 26-0046.
Key Findings
→A round, cold object was detected via IR sensor (set to black hot mode) appearing bright white, over the Gulf of Aden at an estimated MGRS location 40Q BD 63xx 19xx on 15 OCT 2020 between 14:18:39Z and 14:19:52Z.
→The object was tracked at approximately 20 mph on a heading of 319 degrees (northwest) at a slant range of 4.06 NM and ground range of 4.78 KM from the aircraft.
→The aircraft was flying at 19,073 feet HAT (Height Above Terrain) with the sensor aimed approximately 50 degrees below altitude.
→The object made several abrupt directional changes during the approximately 73-second contact period.
→The report notes one contact in the group; checkboxes indicate it was round in shape, and no radar trackfile, AIM-9X self-track, ATFLIR autotrack, or tally is confirmed as checked.
Analyst Notes
Single-observer report with no confirmed radar trackfile, no AIM-9X self-track, no ATFLIR autotrack, and no tally achieved noted in the form checkboxes, limiting corroboration. The 'cold' IR signature is consistent with a balloon or similar non-propelled object; the reported 20 mph speed and altitude are also consistent with a high-altitude balloon. Abrupt directional changes are the primary anomalous element but are based solely on the operator's subjective interpretation. Identifying information is redacted per SPEAR protocol. No sensor data files are included in this document.
Extracted Entities
People
MG Richard A. Harrison (declassifying authority)
Agencies & Organizations
172 ATKS (Attack Squadron)USCENTCOMSPEARAARO
Locations
Gulf of AdenMGRS 40Q BD 63xx 19xx (estimated location)
Aircraft & Objects
Round, cold (IR) object appearing bright white on black-hot IR sensor, traveling 319 degrees at approximately 20 mph, making abrupt directional changes