The Department of War has declassified and released a video recording of an unidentified aerial phenomenon (UAP) captured by a military sensor in 2018. The footage, designated PR57a, shows a spherical object moving above a cloud layer. The release is part of the Pentagon’s ongoing transparency efforts under the PURSUE policy framework, which governs the collection and dissemination of UAP-related data.
The video was recorded by an unspecified airborne platform operating over an undisclosed location. According to the metadata, the sensor captured the object at an altitude consistent with commercial air traffic. The spherical UAP appears to maintain a steady course before executing a brief, abrupt maneuver and then continuing on its original trajectory. The report does not identify the object or provide a definitive explanation.
The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), established under the Office of the Secretary of Defense, is responsible for analyzing such incidents. AARO has access to the full sensor data, including telemetry and radar tracks, which were not included in the public release. The agency can request additional data from the originating unit and interview operators to better understand the event.
The release follows a pattern of declassifications by the Department of War, which has made public several UAP encounters in recent years. The PURSUE policy framework, implemented in 2023, standardizes reporting procedures across military branches and encourages the sharing of UAP data with AARO. Critics have called for more timely releases, while officials emphasize the need to balance transparency with operational security.
AARO continues to investigate the PR57a incident. The office can request additional sensor data, interview the aircrew, and analyze the object’s flight characteristics. No further information about the platform or location has been disclosed. The Department of War has stated that it will release additional footage as it is declassified.
