AARO and Pentagon UAP Reports
Overview
The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) is the current U.S. Department of Defense organization responsible for investigating reports of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP). Established in July 2022, AARO represents the culmination of several predecessor programs and reflects increased Congressional and public interest in the UAP topic.
Timeline of Pentagon UAP Programs
AATIP (2007-2012)
The Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program was a Pentagon program created in 2007 to investigate reports of unidentified aerial phenomena. Key details:
- Funding: Approximately $22 million, secured through the Defense Intelligence Agency
- Origin: Championed by Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), with support from Senators Daniel Inouye (D-HI) and Ted Stevens (R-AK)
- Contractor: Research was conducted primarily by Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS)
- Status: Pentagon states the program ended in 2012, though some research reportedly continued informally
AATIP became public knowledge on December 16, 2017, when The New York Times and Politico published simultaneous reports revealing the program's existence alongside three videos of Navy encounters with unidentified objects.
UAPTF (2020-2022)
The Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force was established within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security in August 2020. It was directed to:
- Detect, analyze, and catalog UAPs
- Determine if UAPs pose a threat to national security
- Determine if adversaries possess breakthrough aerospace technology
The UAPTF released a preliminary assessment to Congress in June 2021, examining 144 reports from 2004-2021, with most cases remaining unexplained due to insufficient data.
AARO (2022-Present)
The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office was established in July 2022, replacing and expanding upon the UAPTF's mission. Key features:
- Expanded Scope: Covers airborne, transmedium (air-to-water, space-to-atmosphere), and submerged phenomena
- Historical Mandate: Authorized to investigate UAP-related programs dating back to 1945
- Reporting Authority: Produces annual classified and unclassified reports to Congress
- Public Engagement: Maintains public website with declassified videos and case resolutions
AARO Annual Reports
FY 2024 Report (Released November 2024)
Covering May 2023 through June 2024:
- Reports Received: 757 new UAP reports
- Cases Resolved: 292 cases resolved to prosaic explanations (balloons, birds, drones, satellites, aircraft)
- Total Holdings: 1,652 reports as of October 2024
- Key Finding: "AARO has discovered no evidence of extraterrestrial beings, activity, or technology"
- Safety Concerns: Five reports described pilots being trailed or shadowed by UAP
FY 2025 Report (Released July 2026)
Covering June 2024 through May 2025:
- Reports Received: 319 new UAP reports
- Cases Resolved: 370 total cases resolved during the period
- Total Holdings: 1,870 reports as of May 2025
- Notable Resolution: 238 cases resolved as satellite flaring using 3D modeling techniques
- Ongoing Investigation: One maritime case off the Virginia coast remained under investigation
- Key Finding: All resolved cases attributed to prosaic objects (balloons, satellites, birds, aircraft, drones, one rocket launch, one manned jet pack)
Common Case Resolutions
AARO's reports consistently identify the same categories of mundane explanations:
- Satellites: Including Starlink and other mega-constellation flaring
- Balloons: Weather balloons, research balloons, and party balloons
- Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS): Commercial and hobbyist drones
- Aircraft: Both military and civilian
- Birds: Especially large birds or flocks
- Atmospheric Phenomena: Including unusual lighting conditions
AARO Reporting Mechanisms
For Government Personnel
AARO accepts reports from current or former U.S. government employees, service members, or contractors with direct knowledge of U.S. government UAP-related programs or activities dating back to 1945. Reports are submitted via a secure portal at aaro.mil.
For Military Personnel
Active-duty military and DoD civilian personnel must report through their command or service chain in accordance with established procedures.
For Civilian Pilots
The FAA encourages civilian pilots to promptly report UAP sightings to air traffic control. These reports are forwarded to AARO through official channels.
For the General Public
AARO does not currently have a mechanism for the general public to submit sighting reports. The office has announced plans to develop such a system in the future.
Historical Record Report
In 2024, AARO released a historical review examining claims of secret U.S. government UAP programs dating back to 1945. Key findings:
- No verifiable evidence of extraterrestrial technology possession
- No evidence of crash retrieval programs
- No evidence of reverse-engineering programs
- Many historical claims traced to misidentified classified programs
Public Resources
AARO maintains a public website (aaro.mil) featuring:
- Declassified UAP videos and imagery
- Case resolution explanations
- Information papers on topics like satellite flaring
- Annual reports and congressional products
- FAQs about AARO's mission and processes
Key Dates in Pentagon UAP History
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2007 | AATIP established within the Defense Intelligence Agency |
| December 16, 2017 | New York Times and Politico reveal AATIP; Navy videos published |
| April 27, 2020 | Pentagon officially releases three Navy UAP videos |
| August 2020 | UAPTF established within OUSD(I&S) |
| June 25, 2021 | UAPTF preliminary assessment released to Congress |
| July 2022 | AARO established, replacing UAPTF |
| October 31, 2023 | AARO launches secure reporting mechanism for government personnel |