All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office
The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) is a specialized office within the United States Department of Defense established on July 20, 2022, to detect, identify, and attribute unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP)—objects or events exhibiting anomalous characteristics across air, maritime, space, ground, and subsurface domains that may represent national security risks.[1][2] Successor to the Airborne Object Identification and Management Synchronization Group, AARO synchronizes Department of Defense efforts with other federal agencies to minimize technical and intelligence surprise from UAP, standardize reporting, and integrate multi-domain sensor data for threat assessment.[3] Its mandate emphasizes empirical investigation over speculation, focusing on resolving cases through scientific analysis rather than assuming exotic origins.[4] Under initial director Dr. Sean M. Kirkpatrick, a laser physicist, AARO expanded UAP investigations, destigmatizing reporting among military personnel and establishing a public reporting portal.[5] Kirkpatrick departed in late 2023, followed by acting leadership including Tim Phillips, before Dr. Jon T. Kosloski, previously with the National Security Agency, assumed the directorship in August 2024 to oversee ongoing case resolutions and interagency coordination.[6][7] AARO's key outputs include annual UAP reports to Congress, documenting hundreds of cases—such as 757 reports from May 2023 to June 2024, with most resolved as drones, balloons, or sensor artifacts, though a small fraction remain unresolved pending further data.[8] Its March 2024 Historical Record Report Volume 1 reviewed decades of U.S. government UAP involvement, finding no empirical evidence of extraterrestrial technology or concealed reverse-engineering programs, attributing persistent myths to misidentifications and cultural influences rather than verified anomalies.[4] These findings underscore AARO's commitment to causal attribution based on available evidence, countering unsubstantiated claims amid heightened public and congressional scrutiny.[9]Historical Background
Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP, 2007–2012)
The Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) was a secretive U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) initiative launched in 2007 to evaluate long-term foreign aerospace threats, including unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) encountered by military aviators.[4] Funding of $22 million was secured via congressional appropriations in the fiscal years 2008 and 2010 Defense Appropriations Acts, primarily advocated by then-Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), with support from Senators Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Daniel Inouye (D-HI).[10][11] The effort originated from the related Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP), a 2008 DIA contract awarded to Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies for research into 12 scientific domains such as propulsion systems and human effects from advanced technologies.[4][11] AATIP's activities encompassed reviewing declassified UAP cases from the U.S. Air Force's Project Blue Book, conducting interviews with military personnel on anomalous encounters—often involving objects exhibiting hypersonic speeds, low observability, and physics-defying maneuvers—and funding 38 exploratory studies on speculative topics like warp drive metrics, invisibility cloaking, and traversable wormholes.[10][4] Research was outsourced to private contractors, including Bigelow's firm, which also investigated paranormal reports at Utah's Skinwalker Ranch, such as shadow figures and poltergeist activity, though these elements drew internal skepticism for lacking empirical rigor.[11][4] The program's outputs consisted primarily of non-peer-reviewed white papers rather than actionable intelligence, with analyses attributing most UAP to misidentifications of conventional aircraft, balloons, or sensor artifacts.[10][4] Luis Elizondo, a DIA counterintelligence officer, participated as a senior intelligence analyst, facilitating UAP data collection and later asserting he directed AATIP from around 2010 until its conclusion; however, official Department of Defense reviews have characterized his leadership claims as overstated, confirming his role as non-directorial.[11][4] AATIP terminated in 2012 after fulfilling its contracted deliverables, driven by DIA and DoD assessments that the research yielded insufficient national security value and veered into unverified pseudoscientific territory, with no substantiated evidence of extraterrestrial origins or breakthrough adversarial technologies.[4][10] Despite its end, unclassified videos of UAP incidents analyzed under AATIP—such as the 2004 "Tic Tac" encounter off California—surfaced publicly in 2017, prompting renewed congressional scrutiny.[11]Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF, 2020–2022)
The Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF) was formally established on August 4, 2020, when Deputy Secretary of Defense David L. Norquist approved its creation within the Department of Defense, with leadership provided by the Office of Naval Intelligence.[12] The task force aimed to detect, analyze, and catalog unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) potentially threatening U.S. national security, building on prior informal efforts to standardize reporting across military branches following increased sightings by naval aviators. This initiative responded to congressional directives and public disclosures of UAP videos from 2004 and 2015 encounters, emphasizing improved data collection to distinguish between foreign adversaries, airborne clutter, natural phenomena, U.S. programs, or other categories. From its inception through 2021, the UAPTF centralized over 144 UAP reports submitted primarily by U.S. government personnel, spanning incidents from 2004 to early 2021, with a focus on those exhibiting anomalous characteristics such as high-speed maneuvers defying known aerodynamics, lack of visible propulsion, or transmedium travel. The task force coordinated with intelligence community partners, including the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), to assess potential flight safety risks and national security implications, though data limitations—such as incomplete sensor coverage and reporter stigma—hindered definitive resolutions for most cases. Analyses identified five key observables: unusual flight patterns, hypersonic velocities without signatures, low observability, anti-gravity lift, and sensor anomalies, but attributed a small fraction to identifiable causes like drones or balloons while deeming the majority unexplained due to insufficient evidence rather than extraordinary origins. In June 2021, the UAPTF, in collaboration with ODNI's National Intelligence Manager for Aviation and input from agencies like the Defense Intelligence Agency and Federal Bureau of Investigation, produced and submitted a preliminary assessment to Congress as mandated by the 2021 Intelligence Authorization Act. The unclassified nine-page report underscored the need for enhanced reporting mechanisms and scientific rigor, recommending a structured framework for future investigations without endorsing extraterrestrial hypotheses, and highlighted potential intelligence gaps exploitable by adversaries. Operations continued into 2022, during which the UAPTF handled an influx of additional reports—exceeding 400 by mid-year—before transferring responsibilities and data to the newly established All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) in July 2022, effectively disestablishing the task force to consolidate DoD-wide anomaly resolution efforts.[1]Establishment of AARO (2022)
The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) was established on July 15, 2022, by Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence, pursuant to Section 1683 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022.[2] This legislative mandate directed the Department of Defense (DoD) to create an office dedicated to investigating unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) across all domains, building on prior efforts like the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF).[1] A formal directive establishing AARO was issued on July 20, 2022, designating it as the DoD's authoritative body for UAP-related activities.[1] The office was positioned within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security (OUSD(I&S)) to centralize collection, analysis, and resolution of anomaly reports from military personnel and systems.[2] Its primary functions include detecting, identifying, and attributing objects of interest exhibiting anomalous characteristics, while mitigating potential national security risks such as technological surprise or adversarial capabilities.[1] The establishment aimed to standardize reporting and enhance interagency coordination, addressing gaps in prior ad hoc investigations.[9] Under Secretary Ronald S. Moultrie announced the creation publicly on July 20, 2022, emphasizing AARO's role in fostering a systematic approach to anomaly resolution without presupposing explanations.[2] This move reflected congressional pressure for transparency and rigorous scientific inquiry into UAP, as evidenced by the NDAA's requirements for annual reporting to Congress.[1]Organizational Framework
Mandate and Scope
The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) is mandated to minimize technical and intelligence surprise by synchronizing the identification, attribution, and mitigation of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) in proximity to national security areas.[13] This core mission involves the scientific, intelligence, and operational detection of such phenomena, with a vision to detect, track, analyze, and manage anomalous detections through standardized Department of Defense (DoD), intelligence community (IC), and civil practices that uphold high standards of scientific rigor and intelligence tradecraft, while promoting transparency and shared awareness.[13] AARO executes these responsibilities objectively, prioritizing empirical resolution over speculation. Pursuant to Section 1683 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022, AARO functions as the DoD's authoritative focal point for all UAP and related activities, succeeding the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force and integrating its data holdings.[1] The office represents the DoD in engagements with interagency partners, Congress, the media, and the public, and coordinates with the Director of National Intelligence to develop procedures for synchronizing the collection, reporting, and analysis of UAP incidents, including those associated with adverse physiological effects on personnel.[1] AARO's scope encompasses anomalous, unidentified objects across all domains—space, airborne, submerged, and transmedium—particularly those detected in or near military installations, operating areas, training ranges, and special use airspace, where they may pose risks to flight safety or national security.[1] This all-domain approach extends beyond prior aerial-focused efforts to address potential threats from any environmental medium, emphasizing attribution to known prosaic causes, foreign adversaries, or unexplained origins through multi-disciplinary analysis.[13]Leadership and Structure
The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) is headed by a director at the Senior Executive Service level who reports directly to the United States Deputy Secretary of Defense. The office's first director, Dr. Sean M. Kirkpatrick, a physicist with extensive experience in intelligence and technology, was appointed in July 2022 to establish and lead AARO. Kirkpatrick retired from federal service on December 1, 2023, after approximately 18 months in the role. Following Kirkpatrick's departure, the position was held on an acting basis before Dr. Jon T. Kosloski was appointed director on August 26, 2024. Kosloski, detailed from the National Security Agency, possesses academic credentials in mathematics, physics, and engineering, with a career centered on research, technical leadership, and anomaly detection methodologies.[7] AARO operates as a consolidated entity under the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security (OUSD(I&S)), with a streamlined structure including a deputy director—currently Mr. Tim Phillips at the SES level—an executive assistant, and specialized positions such as special assistant for data architecture. The office comprises a multidisciplinary team of experts in science, intelligence, and engineering dedicated to investigating and resolving anomalous phenomena across air, sea, space, and other domains, without a large bureaucratic hierarchy to facilitate agile operations.Investigative Methodology
The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) employs a standardized, data-driven investigative methodology grounded in the scientific method and intelligence analysis tradecraft to evaluate unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) reports, prioritizing empirical evidence to attribute observations to known phenomena or identify genuine anomalies.[4] This approach emphasizes high-quality data collection, rigorous modeling, and peer-reviewed analysis to mitigate national security risks, such as technical surprise from adversary technologies or hazards to personnel and assets.[3] AARO structures its efforts across six lines of inquiry: open-source and classified program research, historical interviews with over 30 individuals, partnerships with the National Archives, engagement with commercial entities, and collaboration with agency archives to systematically review records dating back to 1945.[4] UAP reports are submitted through secure channels, including military commands, air traffic control for civilians, or dedicated forms for government personnel detailing programs or activities potentially related to UAP.[3] Initial triage assesses reports for national security implications, prioritizing those near sensitive areas or involving multi-domain (air, maritime, space, or ground) observations before escalating to detailed investigation.[3] Investigations incorporate witness debriefs, sensor data validation, and cross-verification with environmental factors like weather patterns, using tiered categorization: Tier 1 for congressional referrals, Tier 2 for subsequent leads, and Tier 3 for AARO-initiated pursuits, with emphasis on firsthand accounts and data cross-checks.[4] Analytical techniques include computational modeling, 3D reconstructions via tools like Systems Toolkit (STK), pixel-level examination for size and shape estimation, and full-motion video (FMV) processing compliant with standards such as MISB ST 0601.19.[14] [15] Trajectories are derived using sensor parameters (e.g., range, azimuth, elevation), aircraft metadata (altitude, speed, bank angle), and corrections for parallax, wind drift, and sensor biases, often employing rotation matrices and coordinate transformations to compute velocities and headings.[15] Statistical frameworks assess data quality, categorizing cases as identified (e.g., balloons, drones, or aircraft), insufficient data, or unidentified, while integrating interagency resources to address collection gaps.[4] [3] Resolution requires sufficient empirical evidence to attribute UAP to prosaic explanations, such as misidentified commercial objects or natural phenomena, with unresolved cases archived for trend analysis rather than presumed anomalous.[3] AARO explicitly rejects unsubstantiated claims, like extraterrestrial origins, absent verifiable data, and incorporates sensor calibration, materials analysis (e.g., terrestrial alloy characterization), and hypothesis testing to ensure attributions withstand scrutiny.[4] This process has resolved numerous cases through ordinary identifications, reflecting a commitment to causal attribution over speculation.[3]Major Reports and Analyses
Preliminary Assessments (2022–2023)
The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) commenced operations on July 20, 2022, succeeding the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF) and inheriting its caseload for coordinated analysis across the Department of Defense (DoD) and intelligence community.[16] By August 30, 2022, AARO had cataloged 510 UAP reports in total, comprising 144 from a prior preliminary assessment ending March 5, 2021, plus 247 new reports and 119 late-discovered or reported incidents.[16] Of the 366 reports received after the 2021 cutoff, initial characterizations identified 26 as resembling unmanned aerial systems (UAS), 163 as balloon-like, and 6 as clutter, with 171 remaining uncharacterized due to limited data; over half exhibited unremarkable flight characteristics consistent with known objects.[16] During fiscal year 2023 (October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023), AARO received 291 UAP reports, including 274 from incidents occurring within that period and 17 from earlier years (2019–2022); by April 30, 2023, the cumulative total reached 801 reports, predominantly in the air domain (290 cases) with one maritime case and none in transmedium or space domains.[17] AARO resolved over 100 cases as ordinary objects, such as balloons, birds, or UAS, attributing most reports to prosaic explanations once sufficient data was obtained; the majority displayed conventional characteristics, while a small subset showed anomalous traits like high-speed travel or unusual maneuverability, though none posed a confirmed direct threat to flight safety or indicated foreign adversarial activity.[17] No physiological effects or health impacts were reported in these cases.[17] AARO Director Sean Kirkpatrick, who led the office from its inception through December 2023, stated in April 2023 congressional testimony that investigations had uncovered no credible evidence of extraterrestrial activity, off-world technology, or objects defying known physics laws, emphasizing potential risks from flight safety hazards and adversary surveillance rather than exotic origins.[18] [19] Preliminary analyses highlighted systemic issues contributing to unresolved cases, including sensor artifacts, operator misperceptions, and U.S.-centric reporting biases from FAA and commercial aviation sources, with expectations that enhanced sensor calibration and data collection would further reduce unidentified instances to mundane causes.[17] AARO also advanced technical efforts, such as developing detection sensors and declassifying select UAP videos for a March 21, 2023, congressional hearing, while launching a public reporting website to standardize submissions.[17]Historical Record Report (March 2024)
The Historical Record Report Volume 1, released by the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) on March 8, 2024, provides a comprehensive review of U.S. government (USG) investigations into unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) spanning from 1945 to the present.[4] Mandated under Section 6802(j) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, the report evaluates historical records, official programs, interviewee claims of extraterrestrial technology recovery, and allegations of government cover-ups.[4] AARO's methodology involved six lines of effort, including open-source and classified document reviews, approximately 30 interviews with current and former government personnel, and collaboration with intelligence community and Department of Defense elements.[4] The office applied scientific and intelligence tradecraft to assess claims, focusing on empirical evidence rather than anecdotal reports. Historical UAP programs scrutinized included Project Sign (1948–1949, evaluating 243 sightings with no extraterrestrial findings), Project Grudge (1949 and 1951–1952, reviewing 244 reports and concluding no threats), and Project Blue Book (1952–1969, cataloging 12,618 sightings of which 701 remained unidentified but showed no evidence of extraterrestrial vehicles).[4] Later efforts such as the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP)/Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) from 2009–2012 and the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF) from 2020–2021 were also examined, alongside rejected proposals like KONA BLUE.[4] Key findings indicate no empirical evidence that any USG investigation confirmed UAP sightings as extraterrestrial technology, reverse-engineered off-world craft, or non-human biologics.[4] AARO assessed specific claims, such as allegations of 12 recovered spacecraft or alien materials, determining them unsubstantiated or attributable to misidentifications of terrestrial programs and alloys, including a magnesium-zinc-bismuth sample proven to be conventional.[4] Iconic cases like the 1947 Roswell incident were resolved as debris from Project Mogul, a classified balloon program for detecting Soviet nuclear tests, while spikes in 1950s sightings correlated with U-2 spy plane tests and the F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter's development.[4] The report attributes many UAP reports to ordinary objects like balloons, aircraft, drones, birds, or natural phenomena, exacerbated by sensor artifacts and human perceptual errors; unresolved cases typically lack sufficient data for resolution.[4] Regarding alleged cover-ups, AARO found no evidence of undisclosed USG programs concealing extraterrestrial materials or technology, asserting that secrecy historically protected sensitive military and intelligence activities from adversaries, not alien recoveries.[4] Interviewees' recollections often conflated classified U.S. projects with extraterrestrial narratives, influenced by cultural depictions in media. The executive summary concludes: "AARO has not discovered any empirical evidence that any sighting of a UAP represented off-world technology," emphasizing that all examined programs were reported to Congress as required and that UAP investigations reflect evolving technological and societal contexts rather than hidden nonhuman intelligence.[4]Annual UAP Reporting (2023–2025)
The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), in coordination with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the Department of Defense (DoD), is required by Section 1673 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 to submit annual consolidated unclassified reports to Congress on unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP), including data on reports received, analyses conducted, and resolutions achieved.[20] These reports encompass UAP incidents across air, maritime, space, and other domains, drawing from military, intelligence, and civilian sources, with a focus on potential national security or flight safety implications. The Fiscal Year 2023 Consolidated Annual Report, released on October 18, 2023, covered UAP reports received from August 31, 2022, to April 30, 2023, alongside legacy reports from earlier periods not previously assessed, totaling over 800 cases under AARO review by that date.[21] AARO received 510 new reports during the primary period, predominantly from U.S. military personnel observing objects via visual, radar, or infrared sensors.[17] Of cases with sufficient data for analysis, resolutions included 163 attributed to unmanned aerial systems (drones), 26 to balloons, six to commercial aircraft, and others to birds, weather events, or sensor artifacts; however, 171 cases remained unresolved pending additional data, with no confirmed instances of extraterrestrial technology or foreign adversary systems exhibiting anomalous performance beyond known capabilities.[21] The report emphasized data quality issues, such as limited multi-sensor corroboration, and recommended enhanced reporting mechanisms to address gaps in domain awareness.[17] The Fiscal Year 2024 Consolidated Annual Report, released on November 14, 2024, documented 757 new UAP reports from May 1, 2023, to June 1, 2024, contributing to a cumulative total exceeding 1,600 reports received by AARO since its inception.[22] Analyses resolved hundreds of cases to prosaic explanations, including drones, balloons, aircraft, and natural phenomena, with graphical breakdowns showing over 80% of reports originating from visual sightings by aircrews or ground observers; 21 cases exhibited potentially anomalous traits, such as unusual maneuvers or lack of propulsion signatures, warranting further sensor data review, but none indicated extraterrestrial origins or novel adversarial threats. AARO highlighted improvements in data collection via standardized forms and interagency coordination but noted persistent challenges like reporter hesitation due to stigma and incomplete sensor logs.[22]| Fiscal Year | Reports Period Covered | New Reports Received | Key Resolutions | Unresolved/Under Review | Total Cumulative Reports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Aug 31, 2022–Apr 30, 2023 | 510 | Drones (163), Balloons (26), Aircraft (6), etc. | 171 | >800 |
| 2024 | May 1, 2023–Jun 1, 2024 | 757 | Primarily drones, balloons, aircraft, natural phenomena | 21 anomalous traits | >1,600 |
Investigations and Findings
Resolved UAP Cases
The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) has resolved numerous unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) reports through systematic analysis of sensor data, environmental conditions, and corroborative evidence, consistently attributing them to prosaic explanations such as balloons, birds, drones, satellites, and aircraft.[24][25] As of November 2024, AARO reported resolving hundreds of cases from its holdings, with over 900 additional reports archived due to insufficient data for conclusive analysis but potentially resolvable with further information.[26] In a review of cases closed between May 2023 and June 2024, approximately 70 percent were identified as balloons and 16 percent as drones or unmanned aerial systems.[27] AARO's resolutions emphasize empirical verification, including infrared video analysis, trajectory modeling, and elimination of sensor artifacts, rejecting anomalous interpretations absent supporting evidence.[24] The office's Historical Record Report Volume 1, released in March 2024, assessed that the vast majority of historical UAP sightings align with ordinary objects, atmospheric phenomena, or natural events, with no verifiable indications of exotic technology in resolved instances.[4] Key resolved cases released publicly include:- Balloons in Europe (2022): Multiple reports (e.g., PR-010, PR-009, PR-006, PR-005, PR-004) from U.S. European Command depicted slow-moving, heat-signature objects via infrared sensors, resolved as commercial or meteorological balloons based on altitude, drift patterns, and lack of anomalous propulsion.[24]
- Migratory birds in Africa (2023–2024): Cases PR-003 (2023) and PR-002 (2024) from U.S. Africa Command involved flock formations captured on infrared video, identified as birds through motion clustering, seasonal migration data, and biological heat signatures.[24]
- Middle East reflective balloon (2024): A 1:36-minute video showed a shimmering object, resolved as a foil party balloon via comparative analysis of reflectivity and erratic tumbling consistent with lightweight debris.[24]
- Al Taqaddum balloon cluster, Iraq (2017): A 17-minute infrared video from Al Asad Airbase depicted grouped objects, determined to be clustered balloons through correlation with ground weather reports and buoyancy physics.[24][28]
- Mt. Etna object, Mediterranean Sea (2018): Infrared imagery of a distorted, ascending object near volcanic activity was resolved as a balloon affected by thermal updrafts and ash interference.[24]
- Puerto Rico objects (2013): A video showed two apparent splitting entities, analyzed as separate, non-interacting objects via frame-by-frame dissection and parallax effects from infrared sensing.[24][29]
- "Go Fast" video (2015): U.S. Navy F/A-18F footage of a low-altitude object was resolved as non-anomalous, with apparent speed reconciled by trigonometry, parallax from aircraft motion, and sea-skimming optics.[24]
- Western U.S. objects and South Asian atmospheric wake: Infrared detections were identified as commercial aircraft, with wakes attributed to sensor glare and contrail refraction rather than exotic signatures.[24]