2020’s: Enhanced Investigations, Institutional Actions, and Growing Transparency
2020: Establishment of the UAP Task Force
In August 2020, the Pentagon officially created the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) Task Force under the Department of the Navy. Its primary goal was to enhance understanding of UAPs and evaluate their potential threats to U.S. national security. This initiative marked a serious commitment to investigating and analyzing unexplained aerial encounters, particularly those reported by military personnel.
2021: Release of the Preliminary UAP Assessment
In June 2021, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) released a highly anticipated preliminary assessment report on UAPs. This unclassified report examined 144 UAP incidents from 2004 to 2021, with only one incident definitively explained. The report indicated that UAPs could pose flight safety risks and may represent advanced technologies from foreign adversaries, calling for standardized reporting and improved data collection methods.
2022: Formation of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO)
In July 2022, the Department of Defense announced the establishment of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), which succeeded the UAP Task Force. AARO's mission expanded to include unidentified objects in space, underwater, and transmedium (cross-domain) objects. Operating under the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, AARO aims to coordinate detection, identification, and attribution efforts across the DoD and other federal agencies, focusing on mitigating related operational and security threats.
2022: NASA Initiates Independent UAP Study
In June 2022, NASA announced plans for an independent study on UAPs to enhance scientific understanding of these phenomena. The study aimed to identify available data, establish effective data collection methods for the future, and evaluate how this information could contribute to scientific explanations of UAPs. NASA stated that there is no evidence suggesting that UAPs are of extraterrestrial origin, but acknowledged that any unidentified object in the sky poses potential flight safety and national security risks.
In October 2022, NASA officially formed a 16-member UAP Independent Study Team, consisting of experts from various fields such as astronomy, physics, astrobiology, and data science. The team's mandate was to analyze unclassified data and create a roadmap for future UAP data analysis, emphasizing the application of scientific tools and methodologies. This initiative highlighted NASA’s commitment to transparency and the scientific process.
2023: Key Developments and Findings
In May 2023, AARO held its first public briefing, detailing its organizational structure, mission objectives, and initial findings. The office reported analyzing hundreds of new UAP cases, resolving some as airborne clutter, weather phenomena, or foreign surveillance drones. However, many incidents remained unexplained due to limited data and issues with eyewitness reliability. AARO stressed the importance of interagency collaboration and advanced sensor technology for better detection and identification.
In June 2023, NASA’s UAP Independent Study Team hosted a public meeting to discuss preliminary observations. The team identified challenges in UAP research, including stigma surrounding reporting, inconsistent data, and the need for standardized measurement techniques. They recommended utilizing existing and future Earth-observing satellites and sensors to gather high-quality data, encouraging civilian pilots and credible witnesses to report sightings without fear of ridicule.
In July 2023, whistleblower David Grusch, a former intelligence officer, testified before a House Oversight Subcommittee, claiming that the U.S. government possesses non-human spacecraft and has covertly studied them for decades. Grusch alleged that information about these programs was illegally withheld from Congress and that he faced retaliation for his disclosures. Alongside Grusch, retired Navy pilots Ryan Graves and David Fravor shared their own UAP encounters, advocating for improved reporting systems and transparency to address safety and security concerns.
2024: Continued Efforts and International Collaboration
In March 2024, AARO released its annual report summarizing its findings and progress. The report highlighted advancements in data collection methods, including the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze large datasets more effectively. AARO noted a decrease in unexplained cases due to enhanced investigative techniques, but acknowledged that some UAPs still resisted conventional explanations, necessitating ongoing research. The Report is mostly regarded as a wash and just another campaign akin to Project Blue Book, an effort by those “in the know” to discourage further public interest. Prominent whistleblowers, including David Grusch and Lue Elizondo, have gone into great detail why those who have come forward (and those who have not) refuse to talk to this arm of the DoD out of lack of trust.
In April 2024, NASA’s UAP Study Team published its final report, outlining comprehensive strategies for studying UAPs using scientific principles. The report recommended establishing a dedicated UAP research program within NASA, collaborating with AARO and engaging international partners to share data and resources. It emphasized the need to destigmatize UAP reporting and foster a culture of scientific curiosity and openness.