The Department of War released a declassified video on Tuesday showing a spherical unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) recorded by a fighter jet’s sensor on April 12, 2021. The footage, designated PR63 under the Pentagon’s PURSUE policy framework, depicts a metallic sphere maneuvering at high speed before disappearing from the sensor’s field of view.
The video was captured by an aircraft operating under an undisclosed callsign, as indicated in the filename. The sensor data shows the object maintaining a steady altitude while executing rapid lateral movements that exceed known conventional aircraft performance. The report does not specify the exact location of the encounter, but the footage was recorded during a routine training mission.
The release is part of the Department of War’s ongoing declassification efforts under the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. The PURSUE policy framework, established in 2022, standardizes the reporting and analysis of UAP incidents across military branches.
Technical details from the filename indicate the object was described as spherical and was tracked by the aircraft’s targeting pod. The video shows the object reflecting sunlight, suggesting a solid metallic surface. No acoustic or radar data were included in the release, limiting immediate analysis of the object’s composition or propulsion.
The Department of War has not identified the object or attributed it to any known foreign technology. The report does not say whether the object posed a threat to the aircraft or whether any countermeasures were taken. The release is part of a broader effort to increase transparency around UAP encounters while protecting sensitive operational details.
AARO can request additional data from the unit involved, including cockpit audio, radar logs, and maintenance records. The office may also interview the pilot and sensor operator to gather more context about the encounter. Further analysis could include spectral imaging or trajectory modeling if additional sensor data becomes available.
The next step for AARO is to determine whether the object meets the criteria for further investigation under the PURSUE framework. The office continues to catalog similar reports and has noted an increase in spherical UAP sightings since 2020. The Department of War has not announced a timeline for additional releases.
