DOW-UAP-PR120, Unresolved UAP Report, Gulf of Oman, 2021
Gulf of Oman UAP infrared video, AC-130J clip (2021)
solid newsworthy item
UAP Insight significance score
- Incident date
- 9/8/2021
- Duration
- 13 seconds of footage
- Witnesses
- Human + sensor
- Released
- August 7, 2026
UAP Characteristics
Evidence Types
Official Conclusion
Unresolved
Official Description
The United States Central Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of 13 seconds of video footage. This footage is a secondary capture, recorded via a cellular device, of an infrared sensor display aboard a U.S. Special Operations Forces AC-130J Gunship. This footage does not represent native primary sensor data, and the secondary recording method introduces limitations in fidelity, resolution, and overall visual quality. Artifacts inherent to filming a screen, such as blurring or flickering, may be present. The footage contained within DOW-UAP-PR117 through DOW-UAP-PR122 was captured contemporaneously. An accompanying Intelligence Information Report, DOW-UAP-D101, describes the phenomena as “cold orbs” approximately four feet in diameter. Video description: 00:00-00:08: An area of contrast remains generally within the center of the sensor field-of-view. Visual elements of the sensor display enter and exit the frame throughout the duration of the video. 00:08-00:13: The sensor changes modalities twice and the area of contrast loses distinctiveness against the background. 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
- →13-second secondary capture, recorded with a cellular device, of an AC-130J infrared sensor display; it is not native primary sensor data.
- →An area of contrast stays generally near the center of the sensor field of view during the first 8 seconds.
- →From 00:08 to 00:13 the sensor changes modalities twice and the area of contrast loses distinctiveness against the background.
- →Accompanying Intelligence Information Report DOW-UAP-D101 describes the phenomena as 'cold orbs' approximately four feet in diameter.
- →Footage is part of a contemporaneously captured set (DOW-UAP-PR117 through PR122) submitted by CENTCOM to AARO.
Report submitted by US Central Command to AARO consisting of 13 seconds of cellular-device footage of an infrared sensor display aboard a US Special Operations Forces AC-130J gunship over the Gulf of Oman on 9/8/2021. The footage shows a contrast area near the center of the field of view; the accompanying IIR (DOW-UAP-D101) describes the phenomena as 'cold orbs' about four feet in diameter. The clip is one of a contemporaneously captured set (PR117 through PR122).
Analyst Notes
Secondary screen recording via cellular phone, so fidelity is degraded and artifacts such as blurring or flickering may be present. The video shows only an undefined area of contrast with no scale, range, or kinematic data. The sensor changes modality and the target loses distinctiveness. The 'cold orb' and four-foot-diameter characterization comes from a separate report, not from the video. No conclusion is stated, and the description disclaims any analytical judgment.
Extracted Entities
Agencies & Organizations
Locations
Aircraft & Objects
Dates
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