Puerto Rico radar UAP incident (1964)
| Puerto Rico radar UAP incident (1964) | |
| Date | November 19, 1964 |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Puerto Rico (Atlantic Fleet Weapons Range) |
| Type | Visual + radar |
| Witnesses | U.S. Naval aviator; USS Gyatt radar |
| First disclosed | PURSUE Release 05 (Aug. 2026) |
| Unexplained | |
On November 19, 1964, a U.S. Navy aviator flying near Puerto Rico reported a “delta-shaped” object “about the size of a jet fighter,” moving at an estimated Mach 3. The air-search radar of the guided-missile destroyer USS Gyatt tracked a contact at more than 3,800 knots (about 4,373 mph) for 21 minutes.[1]
Investigation
The case was discussed between the CIA’s Assistant Directors for Special Activities (who ran the U-2 and A-12 OXCART programs) and Scientific Intelligence, and briefing notes were prepared for Walter N. Elder, executive assistant to the CIA Director. The scientific intelligence chief judged the object “conceivably associated with foreign intelligence gathering activities,” given missile testing on the Atlantic Fleet Weapons Range.[1]
Assessment
The case is notable because it combines a pilot sighting with a sustained radar track, but it rests on a few pages of summary. A 4,000+ mph track over 21 minutes would be beyond any known aircraft of the time. Radar ducting, equipment error, or confusion between targets could explain the speed, and the A-12 (about Mach 3.2) could fit the pilot’s estimate. The released records reach no conclusion. Full details are on the PURSUE case page.
See also
References
- ^ U.S. Department of War (2026). PURSUE Release 05: CIA-UAP-D022, CIA-UAP-D023.