PURSUE archive · catalogue card
ODNI-UAP-D001
USPER Narrative, Senior USIC Official
This card reproduces what the official catalogue publishes. Our own analysis (cross-checked sources, timeline and hypotheses) will come when its turn arrives in the weekly review.
- Agency
- Office of the Director of National Intelligence · FBI
- Incident date
- 2025As the catalogue writes it: “2025” · “Late 2025”
- Place
- Western United States · United States (unspecified)As the catalogue writes it: “Western United States” · “United States”See the area on the globe →
- Published in PURSUE
- May 8, 2026 · May 22, 2026
- Records
- 34 records · Document + Image
- Redactions
- Redacted passages in 33 of 34 records
01 Official description
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.
02 Catalogue records · 34
ODNI-UAP-D001 · Document · Office of the Director of National Intelligence · May 22, 2026 · Main record
USPER Narrative, Senior USIC Official
2025 · Western United States
FBI Photo A001 · Image · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025
File on war.gov ↗View on DVIDS ↗
Official description
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.
FBI Photo A002 · Image · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025
Official description
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.
FBI Photo A003 · Image · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025
Official description
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.
FBI Photo A004 · Image · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025
Official description
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.
FBI Photo A005 · Image · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025
Official description
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.
FBI Photo A006 · Image · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025
Official description
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.
FBI Photo A007 · Image · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025
Official description
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.
FBI Photo A008 · Image · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025
Official description
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.
FBI Photo B001 · Document · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025 · Western United States
Official description
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.
FBI Photo B002 · Document · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025 · Western United States
Official description
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.
FBI Photo B003 · Document · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025 · Western United States
Official description
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.
FBI Photo B004 · Document · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025 · Western United States
Official description
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.
FBI Photo B005 · Document · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025 · Western United States
Official description
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.
FBI Photo B006 · Document · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025 · Western United States
Official description
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.
FBI Photo B007 · Document · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025 · Western United States
Official description
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.
FBI Photo B008 · Document · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025 · Western United States
Official description
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.
FBI Photo B009 · Document · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025 · Western United States
Official description
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.
FBI Photo B010 · Document · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025 · Western United States
Official description
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.
FBI Photo B011 · Document · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025 · Western United States
Official description
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.
FBI Photo B012 · Document · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025 · Western United States
Official description
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.
FBI Photo B013 · Document · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025 · Western United States
Official description
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.
FBI Photo B014 · Document · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025 · Western United States
Official description
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.
FBI Photo B015 · Document · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025 · Western United States
Official description
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.
FBI Photo B016 · Document · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025 · Western United States
Official description
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.
FBI Photo B017 · Document · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025 · Western United States
Official description
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.
FBI Photo B018 · Document · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025 · Western United States
Official description
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.
FBI Photo B019 · Document · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025 · Western United States
Official description
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.
FBI Photo B020 · Document · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025 · Western United States
Official description
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.
FBI Photo B021 · Document · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025 · Western United States
Official description
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.
FBI Photo B022 · Document · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025 · Western United States
Official description
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.
FBI Photo B023 · Document · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025 · Western United States
Official description
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.
FBI Photo B024 · Document · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025 · Western United States
Official description
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.
USPER Statement about UAP Sighting · Document · FBI · May 8, 2026
Late 2025 · United States
Official description
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.
03 Related cases
Other catalogue cards from the same area or the same decade.
04 Sources
- [1]
Record · U.S. Department of War
Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters (PURSUE)
Card, descriptions and comments: PURSUE catalogue, U.S. Department of War. The files are not hosted here; they open on their official site.
Checked on Oct 4, 2026 · Open the original ↗
May contain errors by the AI and the editor · always check the official source.