DOW-UAP-PR121, Unresolved UAP Report, Gulf of Oman, 2021
Gulf of Oman AC-130 infrared video, cellphone copy (2021)
solid newsworthy item
UAP Insight significance score
- Incident date
- 9/8/2021
- Duration
- 34 seconds (video length)
- Witnesses
- Human + sensor
- Released
- August 7, 2026
UAP Characteristics
Evidence Types
Official Conclusion
Unresolved (per title); the description explicitly makes no analytical judgment or conclusion.
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 34 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: 00:00-00:12: 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. 00:13-00:18: A relatively larger area of contrast transits from the bottom of the frame to the top of the sensor’s field-of-view, then re-enters from the top left to the bottom left of the frame. The relatively smaller area of contrast exits the bottom of the frame, and re-enters from the upper-right quarter of the frame. 00:19-00:34: The sensor adjusts, and an area of contrast enters the sensor field-of-view from the top of the frame, and remains generally within the center of the frame. AARO Comment: This video footage significantly overlaps in content with DOW-UAP-PR122. 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
- →34-second secondary capture, filmed on a cellular device, of an infrared sensor display aboard a U.S. SOF AC-130J gunship; not native primary sensor data.
- →An accompanying Intelligence Information Report (DOW-UAP-D101) describes the phenomena as 'cold orbs' approximately four feet in diameter.
- →Two areas of contrast, one relatively larger and one smaller, transit the sensor field of view between 00:13 and 00:18, exiting and re-entering at different frame edges.
- →The footage was captured contemporaneously with DOW-UAP-PR117 through PR122 and significantly overlaps in content with PR122.
- →The sensor adjusts at about 00:19, after which an area of contrast enters from the top and remains near the frame center.
Official description of a 34-second secondary capture (cellular device filming a display) of an infrared sensor feed from a U.S. SOF AC-130J gunship over the Gulf of Oman on 9/8/2021, submitted by CENTCOM to AARO. The footage shows areas of thermal contrast moving within the sensor field of view; an accompanying IIR (DOW-UAP-D101) describes the phenomena as 'cold orbs' about four feet in diameter. The footage overlaps significantly with DOW-UAP-PR122 and was captured contemporaneously with PR117-PR122.
Analyst Notes
Secondary recording of a screen with a cellular device, which degrades fidelity and may introduce blurring or flicker artifacts. Not native sensor data. The description is non-analytical and gives no range, altitude, or speed, so the nature of the contrast areas cannot be established. Significantly overlaps with PR122, so it is not independent evidence. No mundane explanation is offered, but none is ruled out either.
Extracted Entities
Agencies & Organizations
Locations
Aircraft & Objects
Dates
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