The Department of War has declassified and released a video recording of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) captured in July 2018. The footage, designated PR96 under the Pentagon’s PURSUE policy framework, was made public through the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) as part of ongoing transparency efforts. The release follows a review by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, which determined that the material posed no risk to national security.
The video, titled “dow-uap-pr096-hh11-03-july-2018-uaps,” was recorded by a platform operated by the Department of War. The exact location of the encounter has not been disclosed, but the sensor data indicates the platform was operating at an altitude of approximately 11,000 feet. The recording shows multiple UAPs exhibiting flight characteristics that the report describes as “atypical for known aircraft.” The objects appear to move without visible means of propulsion and demonstrate rapid acceleration.
The report does not specify the type of sensor used, but the footage includes infrared and visual spectrum data. The objects are visible as bright spots against a dark sky, with one object appearing to change direction abruptly. The total duration of the encounter is approximately three minutes, though only a portion has been released. The Department of War has not identified the objects or offered any explanation for their behavior.
This release is part of the Pentagon’s broader effort to address UAP reports under the PURSUE policy, which standardizes how military departments collect and report UAP data. AARO, established in 2022, oversees the analysis of such incidents and coordinates with other government agencies. The office has previously released several videos and reports, including encounters from 2015 and 2021.
The Department of War has stated that the platform’s operators did not report any anomalous readings or communications interference during the event. The sensor data has been preserved and is available for further analysis. AARO will continue to review the footage and may request additional data from the Department of War, including telemetry and radar logs from the time of the encounter.
Moving forward, AARO plans to interview the operators and sensor technicians involved to gather more context. The office may also task additional sensors in the region to look for similar phenomena. The release of this video does not imply a conclusion about the nature of the objects, and AARO emphasizes that further investigation is needed.
