DOW-UAP-PR069, "F/A-18 FLIR UAP"

Department of WarVideoVideo ReportNo redactionsPURSUE Release 1

4/10

niche or mildly interesting

UAP Insight significance score

Location: NORTHCOM
Incident date: incident_location: NORTHCOM
Duration: 29 seconds (video duration); reticle tracking from 14 to 27 seconds
Witnesses: Sensor only
Released: May 22, 2026

UAP Characteristics

? Unknown shape

Evidence Types

IR Video

Government Programs Referenced

AAROPURSUE

Official Conclusion

No conclusion stated; AARO explicitly notes the description does not reflect any analytical judgment or factual determination.

Official Description

On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “F/A-18 FLIR UAP,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Northern Command area of responsibility in 2022. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in July 2023. Video Duration: 00:00:29 Video Description: A sensor pans to track an area of contrast. At the 14 second mark, a reticle surrounds the area of contrast. At the 27 second mark, the reticle loses its track on the area of contrast. This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.

Key Findings

→Eight U.S. House of Representatives members requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community on March 6, 2026.
→AARO identified the video as likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within NORTHCOM in 2022.
→The video was uploaded to a classified network by an unidentified user in July 2023 and lacks a substantiated chain-of-custody.
→The 29-second video shows a sensor panning to track an area of contrast, with a reticle locking on at the 14-second mark and losing track at the 27-second mark.
→AARO explicitly states the video description does not constitute an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination about the event.

UAP Insight Analysis— AI generated, not official

AARO assessed a 29-second infrared sensor video uploaded to a classified network in July 2023, titled 'F/A-18 FLIR UAP,' likely recorded by an infrared sensor on a U.S. military platform within NORTHCOM's area of responsibility in 2022. The video was among 51 potentially UAP-related records requested by eight House members on March 6, 2026. AARO notes the materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody, limiting their evidential value.

Analyst Notes

The video lacks a substantiated chain-of-custody, meaning provenance and authenticity cannot be confirmed. The observed phenomenon is described only as an 'area of contrast' — a non-specific descriptor that does not confirm an anomalous object. AARO explicitly disclaims any analytical or investigative conclusion from the description. Single-sensor (infrared only), no corroborating radar or visual data mentioned.

Extracted Entities

Agencies & Organizations

Department of WarAll-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO)U.S. House of RepresentativesIntelligence Community

Locations

United States Northern Command (NORTHCOM)

Aircraft & Objects

F/A-18 FLIR sensor platformUnidentified area of contrast tracked by infrared sensor

Dates

2022 (approximate recording date)July 2023 (upload date to classified network)March 6, 2026 (congressional records request)

Official video via DVIDS · Open on DVIDS ↗

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