Western Test Installation Orbs (Late 2025) – PURSUE Files
| Test installation orbs, 2025 | |
| Date | Late 2025 |
|---|---|
| Location | Sensitive government test installation, western United States |
| Witnesses | Senior U.S. intelligence official, helicopter pilots, ground personnel |
| Agencies | FBI, ODNI, AARO |
| Released | Release 01 (May 8, 2026); Release 02 (May 22, 2026) |
| Files | 34 (PDF, Image) |
| Previously public? | No — new in PURSUE (Releases 01 and 02) |
| Official releaseUnresolved | |
In late 2025, a team of federal and state personnel investigated reports of unusual noises and glowing “orbs” in and around a sensitive U.S. military test installation in the western United States. A senior U.S. intelligence official who rode along in a helicopter gave two accounts: an FBI interview (FD-302) released in PURSUE Release 01, and a written first-hand narrative released through ODNI in Release 02. Release 01 also included 32 still images (FBI Photos A001–A008 and B001–B024) taken by other personnel, some through night-vision devices.[1]
The official described finding a “super-hot” orb hovering near the ground that then traveled about 20 miles faster than the pursuing helicopter, an object that appeared to split in two and race off in different directions, and repeated groups of four or five orbs “flaring up, then down” over about 30 minutes, some apparently close to the helicopter.[1]
The records
USPER Statement about UAP Sighting
Open USPER Statement about UAP Sighting (PDF) on war.gov →
This is an FBI 302 interview conducted with a senior US intelligence official regarding his first-hand account of a UAP encounter at a US military facility. USPER relayed to FBI agents that he and other federal and state personnel conducted searches to where orbs had been previously seen. After searching the area with a helicopter, they found a “super-hot” orb hovering over the ground. The orb is reported to have travelled for 20 miles at a speed too fast for the helicopter in pursuit. An additional “swarm” of lights were seen moving in all directions. A total of four or five additional orbs were seen shortly thereafter for a short time, flaring up and then down. This pattern of four or five orbs flaring up, then down continued over the next thirty minutes across the area.
The photos linked in the “Related Media” section are connected to a set of UAP encounters on a sensitive government testing installation in the Western US in 2025. These orb-like UAP were observed at various ranges by multiple, and in some cases simultaneous, government personnel and sensors. The linked narrative is an FBI-collected account from a senior U.S. intelligence community official who witnessed the UAP with the naked eye, while accompanied by two pilots under NVGs. Other pilots in separate aircraft, and ground-based observers with night vision, also witnessed UAP during the exercise. The photos of UAP underneath the helicopter are from this same set of observations, taken through night vision devices by ground-based personnel.
— Official PURSUE description
ODNI-UAP-D001, USPER Narrative, Senior USIC Official
Open ODNI-UAP-D001 (PDF) on war.gov →
This document is a first-hand account written by a currently serving (May 2026) senior U.S. intelligence official. The official was part of a team investigating reports of unusual noises and sightings of unidentified anomalous phenomena in and near a sensitive U.S. military facility in late 2025. From the official’s vantage point as a helicopter passenger, the official recounts encountering unidentified “glowing orbs” both at close range and at a distance. The account describes an apparent high-speed object moving low to the ground, which appeared to split in two and accelerate away in two different directions. It also describes numerous higher-altitude “orbs,” some of which the official assessed to be in close proximity to the helicopter. This account is accompanied by infrared imagery taken during the same exercise by other federal officials from the ground, originally released on war.gov/UFO on May 8, 2026.
May 26, 2026, correction: The document originally posted to the PURSUE collection of UAP-related records on May 22, 2026, under the name “ODNI-UAP-D001, USPER Narrative, Senior USIC Official,” contained a typographic error in the second paragraph, describing a helicopter flight profile as “map-of-the-earth.” The correct military aviation term for this profile is “nap-of-the-earth.” This document has been updated to reflect this correction.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo A001
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. government system. The date and location of the event have not been provided. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a uniform, grainy texture with a central crosshair reticle. A small, dark, and slightly irregular object is visible just below and to the right of the center of the reticle. This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo A002
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. government system. The date and location of the event have not been provided. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a mottled background with a central crosshair reticle. A dark, circular object is located at the center of the reticle. The background has a textured, uneven appearance suggesting a varied landscape or surface. This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo A003
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. government system. The date and location of the event have not been provided. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a mottled background with a central crosshair reticle. A dark, circular object is positioned exactly at the center of the reticle. The background shows a textured pattern, possibly depicting ground terrain. This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo A004
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. government system. The date and location of the event have not been provided. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a mottled background with a central crosshair reticle. A dark, circular object is visible just below and to the right of the center of the reticle. This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo A005
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. government system. The date and location of the event have not been provided. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a background with a dense, speckled pattern and a central crosshair reticle. A dark, circular object is located at the bottom quadrant and right of center of the reticle. This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo A006
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. government system. The date and location of the event have not been provided. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a lightly textured background with a central crosshair reticle. A dark, circular object is positioned at the center of the reticle. This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo A007
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. government system. The date and location of the event have not been provided. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a smooth, grainy background with a central crosshair reticle. A light-colored, circular object with a bright specular highlight is visible just below the center of the reticle. This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo A008
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. government system. The date and location of the event have not been provided. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a background with faint, swirling patterns and a central crosshair reticle. A small, dark, irregular object is visible just below and to the right of the center of the reticle. This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo B001
Open FBI Photo B001 (PDF) on war.gov →
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. military system in 2025. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP. The date in the image is incorrect due to system date/time not being set.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a grainy texture with a central crosshair reticle. A small, dark, circular object is visible in the upper right quadrant, near the center of the frame. The background appears to show an indistinct mountain range or cloud formation.This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo B002
Open FBI Photo B002 (PDF) on war.gov →
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. military system in 2025. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP. The date in the image is incorrect due to system date/time not being set.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a grainy texture with a central crosshair reticle. A small, dark, circular object is visible in the upper right quadrant. The background shows an indistinct mountain range or cloud formation. This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo B003
Open FBI Photo B003 (PDF) on war.gov →
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. military system in 2025. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP. The date in the image is incorrect due to system date/time not being set.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a grainy texture with a central crosshair reticle. A small, dark, circular object is visible just to the right of the center of the reticle. The background appears to show an indistinct mountain range or cloud formation. This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo B004
Open FBI Photo B004 (PDF) on war.gov →
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. military system in 2025. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP. The date in the image is incorrect due to system date/time not being set.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a grainy texture with a central crosshair reticle. A small, dark, circular object is visible in the center right quadrant, close to the center of the frame. An indistinct, possibly natural, landscape is visible in the background. This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo B005
Open FBI Photo B005 (PDF) on war.gov →
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. military system in 2025. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP. The date in the image is incorrect due to system date/time not being set.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a grainy texture with a central crosshair reticle. No distinct objects are clearly visible within the central area of the frame. The background shows an indistinct formation, possibly a mountain range. This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo B006
Open FBI Photo B006 (PDF) on war.gov →
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. military system in 2025. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP. The date in the image is incorrect due to system date/time not being set.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a grainy texture with a central crosshair reticle. A dark, structured object with an appendage on its left side is visible just at the top of the reticle. A second, smaller, dark circular object is visible below the reticle in the bottom right quadrant. This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo B007
Open FBI Photo B007 (PDF) on war.gov →
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. military system in 2025. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP. The date in the image is incorrect due to system date/time not being set.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a grainy texture with a central crosshair reticle. A dark object, consistent in appearance with a helicopter, is visible in the upper right quadrant. A second, smaller, dark circular object is visible below the reticle. The background is indistinct. This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo B008
Open FBI Photo B008 (PDF) on war.gov →
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. military system in 2025. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP. The date in the image is incorrect due to system date/time not being set.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a grainy texture with a central crosshair reticle. A small, dark, circular object is visible just right of the center of the reticle in the top right quadrant. The background shows an indistinct mountain range. This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo B009
Open FBI Photo B009 (PDF) on war.gov →
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. military system in 2025. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP. The date in the image is incorrect due to system date/time not being set.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a grainy texture with a central crosshair reticle. A small, dark, circular object is visible just below and to the left of the center of the reticle. The background appears to show an indistinct mountain range. This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo B010
Open FBI Photo B010 (PDF) on war.gov →
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. military system in 2025. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP. The date in the image is incorrect due to system date/time not being set.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a grainy texture with a central crosshair reticle. A small, dark, circular object is visible just to the top right quadrant of the center of the reticle. The background shows an indistinct mountain range.This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo B011
Open FBI Photo B011 (PDF) on war.gov →
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. military system in 2025. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP. The date in the image is incorrect due to system date/time not being set.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a grainy texture with a central crosshair reticle. A small, dark, circular object is visible in the upper right quadrant of the frame. The background appears to show an indistinct mountain range. This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo B012
Open FBI Photo B012 (PDF) on war.gov →
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. military system in 2025. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP. The date in the image is incorrect due to system date/time not being set.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a grainy texture with a central crosshair reticle. A small, dark, circular object is visible in the upper right quadrant of the frame. The background shows an indistinct mountain range.This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo B013
Open FBI Photo B013 (PDF) on war.gov →
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. military system in 2025. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP. The date in the image is incorrect due to system date/time not being set.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a grainy texture with a simplified central crosshair. Two small, dark, elongated objects are visible near the center of the frame in the bottom right quadrant. This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo B014
Open FBI Photo B014 (PDF) on war.gov →
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. military system in 2025. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP. The date in the image is incorrect due to system date/time not being set.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a grainy texture with a simplified central crosshair. Two small, dark, circular objects are visible near the center of the frame. A digital artifact or distortion is visible along the edge of the redaction box in the lower right quadrant. This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo B015
Open FBI Photo B015 (PDF) on war.gov →
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. military system in 2025. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP. The date in the image is incorrect due to system date/time not being set.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a grainy texture with a simplified central crosshair. Two small, dark, circular objects are visible near the center of the frame in the upper right quadrant. This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo B016
Open FBI Photo B016 (PDF) on war.gov →
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. military system in 2025. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP. The date in the image is incorrect due to system date/time not being set.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a grainy texture with a simplified central crosshair. Two dark, irregular-shaped objects are visible just right of the center in the upper right quadrant. This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo B017
Open FBI Photo B017 (PDF) on war.gov →
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. military system in 2025. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP. The date in the image is incorrect due to system date/time not being set.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a grainy texture with a simplified central crosshair. Two small, dark, circular objects are visible near the center of the frame. This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo B018
Open FBI Photo B018 (PDF) on war.gov →
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. military system in 2025. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP. The date in the image is incorrect due to system date/time not being set.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a grainy texture with a simplified central crosshair. Two small, dark, elongated objects are visible near the center of the frame in the lower left quadrant. This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo B019
Open FBI Photo B019 (PDF) on war.gov →
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. military system in 2025. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP. The date in the image is incorrect due to system date/time not being set.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a grainy texture with a central crosshair reticle. A small cluster of dark pixels, forming an object, is visible at the exact center of the reticle. This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo B020
Open FBI Photo B020 (PDF) on war.gov →
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. military system in 2025. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP. The date in the image is incorrect due to system date/time not being set.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a grainy texture with a central crosshair reticle. One to two small, dark, objects are visible just above and to the right of the center of the reticle. This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo B021
Open FBI Photo B021 (PDF) on war.gov →
Same official description as above.
FBI Photo B022
Open FBI Photo B022 (PDF) on war.gov →
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. military system in 2025. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP. The date in the image is incorrect due to system date/time not being set.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a grainy texture with a simplified central crosshair. Two small, dark, elongated objects are visible near the center of the frame in the upper right quadrant.This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo B023
Open FBI Photo B023 (PDF) on war.gov →
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. military system in 2025. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP. The date in the image is incorrect due to system date/time not being set.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a grainy texture with a simplified central crosshair. A single dark, elongated object is visible near the edge of the reticle to the right of center. This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
FBI Photo B024
Open FBI Photo B024 (PDF) on war.gov →
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) consisting of a still image derived from a U.S. military system in 2025. The original imagery was altered with redactions before being submitted to AARO. An accompanying mission report was not provided. The operator reported that they were unable to positively identify the UAP. The date in the image is incorrect due to system date/time not being set.
Narrative Description: The monochrome image displays a grainy texture with a simplified central crosshair. A single dark, irregular-shaped object is visible just above the center of the reticle. This narrative 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.
— Official PURSUE description
Analysis
Strengths. This is one of the few PURSUE cases with a named-role, senior witness, multiple independent observers (pilots wearing night-vision goggles, ground teams) and imagery taken during the event.
Possible explanations. The released images are grainy monochrome frames showing small dark or bright spots near a crosshair, with no range or size information, and some carry incorrect dates because the system clock was not set.[1] At a test installation, likely candidates include drones (including counter-drone test targets), flares (which “flare up, then down” in groups and are very hot in infrared), and aircraft. Night-vision goggles make distant lights look closer and brighter, and judging the speed of a light at night from a moving helicopter is very difficult. Nothing released so far settles the case either way.
New or previously released? New.
Released files
| PURSUE ID | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| USPER Statement about UAP Sighting | USPER Statement about UAP Sighting | |
| ODNI-UAP-D001 | USPER Narrative, Senior USIC Official | |
| FBI Photo A001 | FBI Photo A001 | Image |
| FBI Photo A002 | FBI Photo A002 | Image |
| FBI Photo A003 | FBI Photo A003 | Image |
| FBI Photo A004 | FBI Photo A004 | Image |
| FBI Photo A005 | FBI Photo A005 | Image |
| FBI Photo A006 | FBI Photo A006 | Image |
| FBI Photo A007 | FBI Photo A007 | Image |
| FBI Photo A008 | FBI Photo A008 | Image |
| FBI Photo B001 | FBI Photo B001 | |
| FBI Photo B002 | FBI Photo B002 | |
| FBI Photo B003 | FBI Photo B003 | |
| FBI Photo B004 | FBI Photo B004 | |
| FBI Photo B005 | FBI Photo B005 | |
| FBI Photo B006 | FBI Photo B006 | |
| FBI Photo B007 | FBI Photo B007 | |
| FBI Photo B008 | FBI Photo B008 | |
| FBI Photo B009 | FBI Photo B009 | |
| FBI Photo B010 | FBI Photo B010 | |
| FBI Photo B011 | FBI Photo B011 | |
| FBI Photo B012 | FBI Photo B012 | |
| FBI Photo B013 | FBI Photo B013 | |
| FBI Photo B014 | FBI Photo B014 | |
| FBI Photo B015 | FBI Photo B015 | |
| FBI Photo B016 | FBI Photo B016 | |
| FBI Photo B017 | FBI Photo B017 | |
| FBI Photo B018 | FBI Photo B018 | |
| FBI Photo B019 | FBI Photo B019 | |
| FBI Photo B020 | FBI Photo B020 | |
| FBI Photo B021 | FBI Photo B021 | |
| FBI Photo B022 | FBI Photo B022 | |
| FBI Photo B023 | FBI Photo B023 | |
| FBI Photo B024 | FBI Photo B024 |
See also
- Western U.S. Event (October 2023)
- ODNI
- FBI
- AARO
- PURSUE Release 01 (May 8, 2026) overview
- PURSUE Release 02 (May 22, 2026) overview
- PURSUE
References
- ^ U.S. Department of War (2026). PURSUE Release 01 (May 8, 2026), Release 02 (May 22, 2026): USPER Statement about UAP Sighting, ODNI-UAP-D001, FBI Photo A001, FBI Photo A002, FBI Photo A003, FBI Photo A004, FBI Photo A005, FBI Photo A006, FBI Photo A007, FBI Photo A008, FBI Photo B001, FBI Photo B002 and others, with official descriptions. war.gov/ufo.