The Pentagon has recently introduced a new online portal called AARO.mil, which allows professionals to submit reports on UFOs, now referred to as unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs). This initiative aims to increase transparency and provide the public with access to the reports that have been released. AARO.mil is still a work in progress, with features like an online form for contacting the office labeled as “Coming Soon.” However, the website currently offers a collection of eight videos showcasing UAPs, as well as archives for congressional reports, briefings, press releases, and other valuable resources.
The establishment of AARO.mil is just one indicator of the Pentagon’s growing attention to the UAP issue and its increasing credibility. Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks has assumed direct oversight of AARO and its director, Sean Kirkpatrick. This move is intended to expedite AARO’s development and the website’s launch. Hicks, who played a significant role in establishing AARO last year, emphasized her commitment to transparency and sharing the office’s discoveries with Congress and the public while also ensuring the protection of national defense and intelligence capabilities.
Once fully operational, AARO.mil will serve as a secure platform for government employees, military personnel, and contractors, both current and former, to register UAP reports. In an upcoming update, the Defense Department plans to introduce a secure reporting tool, allowing individuals to submit their observations this fall. Additionally, the Pentagon intends to announce a mechanism for the general public to make reports in the coming months. AARO specifically encourages civilian pilots to report UAP sightings to air traffic controllers and is set to receive UAP-related pilot reports, known as PIREPs, from the Federal Aviation Administration.
UAP Categories and Definition
AARO categorizes UAPs into three groups:
1. Airborne objects that are not immediately identifiable.
2. Transmedium objects or devices.
3. Submerged objects or devices that are not immediately identifiable but exhibit behavior or performance characteristics suggesting a connection to the first two categories.
According to AARO, the Defense Department perceives UAPs as anomalous detections in various domains, such as airborne, seaborne, spaceborne, or transmedium. These detections cannot be attributed to known actors and demonstrate behaviors that sensors or observers struggle to comprehend. It is worth noting that the website does not explicitly mention the possibility of extraterrestrial origins for UAPs. The growing concern among government officials and lawmakers regarding UAPs arises from the potential for intrusions by countries like Russia or China.
In light of the increasing attention to UAPs, the incident involving a Chinese spy balloon crossing the United States serves as a prime example. The balloon traversed the country before being intercepted and destroyed by an Air Force fighter jet. This event underscores the need for further investigation into UAPs to differentiate between potential national security threats and unidentified yet benign phenomena.
The launch of AARO.mil and its associated features represents a significant step by the Pentagon towards addressing the UAP issue. By creating an accessible platform for reporting and sharing information, the Defense Department aims to foster transparency and engage with both professionals and the general public. As more reports are submitted and analyzed, it is hoped that a deeper understanding of UAPs will emerge, leading to potential breakthroughs in this perplexing field.
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