War.gov/UFO - Department of War Releases UAP Files - 2026 Release 3

AARO released a classified military infrared video from March 2025 depicting multiple spherical objects tracked near a submarine in a location not specified but assessed to be military platform-derived. The video shows at least three distinct transit events of areas of contrast over approximately 4 minutes 50 seconds. The uploader's title suggests the objects transition in and out of water. Chain of custody is unsubstantiated, and AARO provides no analytical assessment of the claim.

A serving senior U.S. intelligence official provided a first-hand account in May 2026 of investigating unusual phenomena at a sensitive U.S. military facility in late 2025, describing encounters with unidentified glowing orbs at close and distant ranges from a helicopter vantage point, as well as a high-speed low-altitude object that appeared to split and accelerate in two directions. The account is accompanied by infrared imagery captured by federal officials on the ground during the same event, with materials originally released on war.gov/UFO on 8 May 2026. The official's assessment of object proximity and behavior is based on direct observation but remains unverified by independent analysis.

AARO released a 46-second classified military infrared video from February 2023 allegedly depicting a U.S. Air Force F-16C shooting down an unidentified object over Lake Huron using an unspecified weapon system. At the 20-second mark, the footage shows two distinct areas of contrast, with the initial subject fragmenting in a radial displacement pattern consistent with a high-energy event. Chain of custody is unsubstantiated, and AARO provides no analytical judgment or confirmation of the incident.

AARO released a lengthy classified military infrared video allegedly depicting objects over the Persian Gulf, likely from a U.S. military platform in the CENTCOM area of responsibility. The 17-minute 36-second video shows a single area of contrast that becomes difficult to distinguish from background noise, requiring multiple sensor contrast adjustments. AARO did not provide analytical judgment, and chain of custody is unsubstantiated.

The Department of War released the seventh tranche of declassified Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena files on October 23, 2026, as part of the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters (PURSUE). This official government release contains historical and declassified UAP documents.

A Metabunk forum user discusses David Grusch's claims on a 2026 Joe Rogan podcast episode, including assertions about extraterrestrial species conflict and recovered alien bodies.

A Metabunk user analyzes a reported UAP sighting near Kubbar Island, Kuwait, concluding it is likely the island itself at high tide rather than an anomalous object.

The Department of War released two UAP videos and a mission report documenting an unresolved observation from the Middle East in 2022, which reportedly shows an object making a sharp turn.

A Metabunk user proposes creating a "UAP Keys" educational document to help non-technical audiences, including the public and congressional staff, understand the basics of forward-looking infrared (FLIR) video phenomenology and related UAP detection methods.