The Pentagon has released a new report regarding unidentified flying objects (UFOs), now referred to as unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs), that details an influx of reports but finds no evidence supporting the existence of extraterrestrial life.
The report includes several hundred incidents involving misidentified objects such as balloons, birds, and satellites. Among these is a notable case involving a commercial airplane that nearly collided with an unidentified object off New York’s coast.
Although this new information is unlikely to resolve ongoing debates about alien existence, it highlights the growing public fascination with UAPs and the government’s attempts to address these concerns. The timing coincides with recent congressional hearings advocating for increased government transparency regarding UAP investigations.
Federal agencies have primarily focused their studies on UAPs to assess potential threats to national security and air safety rather than the speculative notions popularized in science fiction. The All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), established in 2022 specifically for monitoring UAPs, has confirmed no evidence that links their findings to alien life or advanced technology from another world.
According to the report, 757 incidents were analyzed globally, stemming from reports made to U.S. authorities between May 1, 2023, and June 1, 2024, including 272 previously unreported cases. The majority of the occurrences took place within airspace, while 49 incidents reached altitudes of at least 100 kilometers (62 miles), which is classified as space, and none happened underwater.
A significant portion of the unexplained incidents involved aerial observations from commercial and military pilots, as well as others on the ground. Investigators managed to categorize almost 300 instances where the unknown objects were determined to be identifiable entities like balloons, drones, aircraft, or satellites, often attributing confusion to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite network, which has caused many to mistake it for UFOs.
Despite the large number of unexplained incidents, the report emphasizes a lack of definitive information that would allow for firm conclusions. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or accidents connected to any of the events. However, one incident involved a commercial flight crew nearly colliding with a “cylindrical object” while traversing the Atlantic, which remains under investigation.
In a few instances, military aircraft members reported being shadowed by unidentified crafts, but subsequent investigations yielded no evidence connecting these actions to foreign adversaries. Common descriptions from witnesses often referred to unidentified lights or orb-shaped objects, with one particularly unusual account describing a jellyfish-like entity emitting flashing lights.
During the recent congressional hearing, testimonies from experts, including former military personnel, were presented regarding UAPs. Discussions ranged from speculations about alien intelligence to concerns over foreign entities potentially using advanced airborne technology to monitor U.S. military assets.
Lawmakers have expressed that the numerous unanswered questions surrounding UAPs highlight an urgent need for the government to conduct thorough inquiries and share those findings with the public. Representative Andy Ogles from Tennessee aptly noted the uncertainty surrounding these occurrences, stating, “There is something out there. The question is: Is it ours, is it someone else’s, or is it otherworldly?”