The Department of War has officially declassified a video captured in July 2018 that depicts unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP). The clip, catalogued as PR96 under the Pentagon’s PURSUE policy framework, was released through the All‑domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) as part of the department’s ongoing transparency initiative. Prior to publication, the Office of the Secretary of Defense reviewed the material and concluded that it presents no threat to national security. The footage, named “dow‑uap‑pr096‑hh11‑03‑july‑2018‑uaps,” originates from a Department of War platform operating at roughly 11,000 feet altitude.
While the precise geographic location of the encounter remains undisclosed, sensor data confirms the platform’s elevation at the time of recording. During the three‑minute segment captured, several objects appear in the sky, moving in ways described by the accompanying report as “atypical for known aircraft.” The objects are visible as bright points against a dark background, with one instance of an abrupt change in direction.
The video combines infrared and visual‑spectrum imagery, though the specific sensor type used has not been identified in the release. According to the report, the objects exhibit rapid acceleration and seem to travel without any discernible propulsion system. The Department of War has not offered an identification for the phenomena nor provided an explanation for the observed flight characteristics.
This release aligns with the Pentagon’s broader effort under the PURSUE policy, which standardizes the collection, analysis, and reporting of UAP data across military branches. AARO, created in 2022, oversees the examination of such incidents and coordinates with other government agencies.
The office has previously made public several other UAP recordings, including incidents from 2015 and 2021. Operators of the Department of War platform reported no anomalous sensor readings or interference with communications during the event. All sensor data associated with the encounter has been preserved and is available for further scientific scrutiny.
Moving forward, AARO intends to continue its analysis of the footage. The office may request additional information from the Department of War, such as telemetry and radar logs corresponding to the time of the encounter.
Interviews with the platform’s operators and sensor technicians are also planned to provide greater contextual detail. In addition to reviewing existing data, AARO may deploy further sensors in the region to monitor for similar phenomena. The agency emphasizes that the public release of the video does not constitute a determination regarding the nature or origin of the objects, and that additional investigation is required to reach any conclusive assessment.
The declassification of this 2018 video adds to a growing repository of UAP material that the Pentagon is making available for public and inter‑agency review, reflecting a continued commitment to transparency and systematic study of unexplained aerial events.
