FLYING SAUCERS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81R00560R000100020012-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 36
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 12, 2001
• Sequence Number: 12
• Publication Date: October 2, 1952
• Content Type: MEMO

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-....rurity Informrotc.91
DRAFT COVER SHEET
INTELLIGENCE ADVISORY COMITTEE
Flying Unidentified Objects (Flying Saucers)
I. Attached is a proposed letter to Secretary Lovetlfrom the
DCI recommending the initiation of fundamental scientific.research
with respect to the nature and causes of unidentified flying objects
(Flying Saucers).
2. While it is recognized that the implications of Flying Saucers
are of primary concern to the Defense Department in carrying out its
responsibility to defend the United States, it is also believed that
intelligence must request of appropriate authority such assistance as
it needs to carry out its responsibility. It is believed that the scientific
research required and the intelligence research contingent thereon can be
most fruitful if they go hand in hand.
3.
Recommendations:
a. That the IAC concur in the proposed letter to the Secretary
of Defense.
b. That the LAC request the Watch Conudttee to give close
attention to indications which nay reflect Russian actions are
being taken with respect to or on the basis of cognizance of Flying
Saucers or with respect to the state of United States public opinion
in respect of Flying Saucers.
T
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DRAFT LETT6'11.
LiEITORAIIDUM FOR: Secretary of Defense D-t->L,eAiv%1414-ji(1, kM:1--
SUBJECT: Unidentified Flying Objects (Flying Saucers)
1. The lAO has reviewed the current situation concerning
unidentified flying objects which have caused extensive speculation
in the press and have been the subject of concern to Government
organizations. The Air Force; within the limitations of manpower
which could be devoted to the sub:]ect, has thus far carried the full
responsibility for investigating and analyzing individual reports of
sightings. Since
11'7
approximately 1500 official reports of sightings
have been received and, of these about 20c/d are as yet unexplained.
2. It is my view and that of the IAC that this situation has
possible implications for our national security with respect to the
vulnerability of the U.S. to air attack. Intelligence, however, cannot
discharge its responsibilities with regard to estimating the capabilities
of an enemy to create and use such phenomena against the U.S. unless
we first determine through scientific research whether or not such
phenomena can in fact be generated and controlled by humans.
3. It is therefore recommended, that the Department of Defense
Ge--el?Ipee-teil---tej undertake an expanded scientific research program to
reveal the nature of the various phenomena which are causing these sightings
and means by which these phenomena may be identified immediately. It is also
recommended that in such a project there be close cooperation between those
conducting the research and scientific and technical intelligence research.
The IAC agencies are prepared to do their part in such a project.
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,SECTiliTY INFMATION. .
OCT 2 1957
MaTORANDUM TO: Director of Central Intelligence
THROUGH: Deputy Director (Intelligence)
MOM: Assistant Director, Office of Scientific
Intelligence
SUBJECT: Flying Saucers
1. PROBLEM--To determine: (a) Whether or not there are national
security implications in the problem of "unidentified
flying objects"; (b) whether or not adequate study and
research is currently being directed to this problem
in its relation to such national security implications;
and (c) what further investigation and research should
be instituted, by whom, and under what aegis.
2. FACTS AND DISCUSSION--OSI has investigated the work currently
being performed on "flying saucers" and found that the
Air Technical Intelligence Center, DI, USAF, Wright-
Patterson Air Force Base, is the only group devoting
appreciable effort and study to this subject, that ATIC
is concentrating on a case-by-case explanation of each
report, and that this effort is not adequate to corre-
late, evaluate, and resolve the situation on an over-
all basis. The current problem is discussed in detail
in TAB A.
3. CONCLUSIONS--"Flying saucers" pose two elements of danger
which have national security implications. The first
involves mass psychological considerations and the
second concerns the vulnerability of the United States
to air attack. Both factors are amplified in TAB A.
I. ACTION RECO:A:ENDED- -(a) That the Director of Central Intel-
ligence advise the National Security Council of the
implications of the "flying saucer" problem and request
that research be initiated. TAB B is a draft memo-
randum to the NSC, for the DCI's signature. (b) That
the DCI discuss this subject with the Psychological
Strategy Board. A memorandum to the Director,
Psychological Strategy Board, is attached for sig-
nature as TAB C. (c) That CIA, with the cooperation
of PSB and other interested departments and agencies,
develop and recommend for adoption by the NSC a
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policy of public information which will minimize concern
and possible panic resulting from the numerous sightings
of unidentified objects.
25X1A
Assistant Director
Scientific Intelligence
ANNEXES:
TAB h--Memorandum to DCI) through DDI, Subject: Flying
Saucers.
TAB B--Letter to National Security Council with enclosure.
TAB C--Memo to Director) Psychological Strategy Board with
enclosure.
CONCURRENCES:
Date:
ACTION BY APPROVING AUTHORITY:
Approved (disapproved):
LOFTUS E. BECKER
Deputy Director/Intelligence
Date:
WALTER B. SMITH
Director
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MONTY INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
THROUGH Deputy Director (Intelligence)
SUBJECT Flying Saucers
SEP ,2 4 1952
1. Recently an inquiry was conducted by the Office of Scientific
Intelligence to determine whether there are national security implications
in the problem of "unidentified flying objects," i.e., flying saucers;
whether adequate study and research is currently being directed to
this problem in its relation to such national security implications;
and what further investigation and research should be instituted,
by whom, and under what aegis.
2. It was found that the only unit of Government currently
studying the problem is the Directorate of Intelligence, USAF, which
has charged the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) with
responsibility for investigating the reports of sightings. At ATIC
there is a group of three officers and two secretaries to which came,
through official channels, all reports of sightings. This group
conducts investigation of the reports, consulting as required with
other Air Force and civilian technical personnel. A world-wide
reporting system has been instituted and major Air Force Bases have
been ordered to make interceptions of unidentified flying objects.
The research is being conducted on a ease basis and is designed to
provide a satisfactory explanation of each individual sighting.
ATIC has concluded an arrangement with Battelle Memorial Institute
for the latter to establish a machine indexing system for official
reports of sightings.
3. Since 1947, ATIC has received approximately 1500 official
reports of sightings plus an enormous volume of letters, phone calls,
and press reports. During July 1952 alone, official reports totaled 250.
Of the 1500 reports, Air Force carries 20 percent as unexplained and
of those received from January through July 1952 it carries 28 percent
unexplained.
4. In its inquiry into this problem, a team from CIAts Office
of Scientific Intelligence consulted with a representative of Air
Force Special Studies Group; discussed the problem with those in charge
of the Air Force Project at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base; reviewed
a considerable volume of intelligence reports; checked the Soviet
press and broadcast indices; and conferred with three CIA consultants,
who have broad knowledge of the technical areas concerned.
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5. It was found that the ATIC study is probably valid if the
purpose is limited to a case-by-case explanation. However, that
study does not solve the more fundamental aspects of the problem.
These aspects are to determine definitely the nature of the various
phenomena which are causing these sightings, and to discover mans
by which these causes, and their visual or electronic effects, may
be identified immediately. The CIA consultants stated that these
solutions would probably be found on the margins or just beyond the
frontiers of our present knowledge in the fields of atmospheric,
ionospheric, and extraterrestrial phenomena, with the added possibility
that the present dispersal of nuclear waste products might also
be a factor. They recommended that a study group be formed to perform
three functions:
a. analyze and systematize the factors which constitute
the fundamental problem;
b. determine the fields of fundamental science which
must be investigated in order to reach an understanding of
the phenomena involved; and
c. make recommendations for the initiation of appropriate
research.
s in Ica e o suc a group au 1A
25X1A cons 1 u Similarly, Project the
Air Forcels air defense projec could be charge h some
25X1A of these responsibilities. 25X1A
6. The flying saucer situation contains two elements of danger
which, in a situation of international tension, have national security
implications. These are:
a. Psychological - With world-wide sightings reported, it
was found that, up to the time of the investigationithere had
been in the Soviet press no report or comment, even satirical,
on flying saucers, though Gramyko had made one humorous
mention of the subject. With a State-controlled press, this
could result only from an official policy decision. The
question, therefore, arises as to whether or not these sightings:
(1) could be controlled,
(2) could be predicted, and
(3) could be used from a psychological warfare
point of view, either offensively or defensively.
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The public concern with the phenomena, which is reflected both
in the United States press and in the pressure of inquiry upon the
Air Force, indicates that a fair proportion of our population
is mentally conditioned to the acceptance of the incredible.
In this fact lies the potential for the touching-off of mass
hysteria and panic.
b. Air Vulnerability - The United States Air Warning System
will undoubtedly always depend upon a combination of radar screen-
ing and visual observation. The U.S.S.R. is credited with the
present capability of delivering an air attack against the
United States, yet at any given moment now, there may be
current a dozen official unidentified sightings plus many
unofficial ones. At any moment of attack, we are now in a
position where we cannot, on an instant basis, distinguish
hardware from phantom, and as tension mounts we will run the
increasing risk of false alerts and the even greater danger
of falsely identifying the real as phantom.
7. Both of these problems are primarily operational in nature
but each contains readily apparent intelligence factors.
8. From an operational point of view, three actions are
required:
are:
a. Immediate steps should be taken to improve identification
of both visual and electronic phantom so that, in the event of
an attack, instant and positive identification of enemy planes
or missiles can be made.
b. A study should be instituted to determine what, if any,
utilization could be made of these phenomena by United States
psychological warfare planners and what, if any, defenses should
be planned in anticipation of Soviet attempts to utilize them.
c. In order to minimize risk of panic, a national policy
should be established as to what should be told the public
regarding the phenomena.
9. cOther intelligence problems which require determination
)
a. The present level of Soviet knowledge regarding
these phenomena.
b. Possible Soviet intentions and capabilities to
utilize these phenomena to the detriment of United States
security interests.
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c. The reasons for silence in the Soviet press
regarding flying saucers.
10. Additional research, differing in character and emphasis
from that presently being performed by Air Force, will be required
to meet the specific needs of both operations and intelligence.
Intelligence responsibilities in this field as regards both collection
and analysis can be discharged with maximum effectiveness only after
much more is known regarding the exact nature of these phenomena.
U. I consider this problem to be of such importance that it
should be brought to the attention of the National Security Council
in order that a community?wide coordinated effort towards its solution
may be initiated.
25X1A
Assistant Director
Scientific Intelligence
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tunic./ - ? , ? .-
Seturay Infol melon '
WaLlat UM
TlifW
5t.1er
lie determine
Director of Contra IntelligenDO
Deputy Director (Intelligsees)
Flying Sewers
a, Whether there are natioral security implications in the problem
of ?unidentified flYing objects? i,e, flying seseers;
b, Whether adequate stedy and research is eerventir being directed
to this problems in its relation to such national security implisations;
and
C , Whet further investigation ant research should be instituted,
by whon, and under whet aegis
2. YAC If i;:i.ARI/C orTVE.PROWAll
a. On has investigated the work currently being rfotd en
flyin moere sod has found thats
(1) The cmly unit of vvertment currently studying the Problem
is the Directorate at Intelligence, USAF, which has charged the Air
Technical Intelligence Center (ATI) with reeponsibilitY for ins
veptigeting the reports of sightings.
(2) At AUL: there is a mall group consisting at a reserve
Captain, two Lieutenant* and two secretaries to which came all re..
ports of sightings through official channels, and which conducts
investigation of the *No-harts either itself or through consultation
with other Air Faroe Wipers or with civilian technical consultant*.
(3) A world-wide reporting system has been instituted and
miler Air force Limes halm boon ordered to make Jaen:options of
uniCistotified fling et3hote40
(1.1) The research being .r.arried on is str tly on * caste basis
and appears to be designed solely to ettompt a satisfactory ow.
planation of each individual sighting as. At Occurs,
(5) AT1C has concluded an arrangement with 4attelle Memorial
institute for the latter to establish a machine indexing system
for official reports at siListinga,
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25X1A
25X1A
25X1A
OR000100020012-7
A= has received appreximately
Pahe an ermrmems volume of letters,
--,nring the month of 41417 1952 alms
250. Of the 1500 reports, Air Force
those resolved armory throw* Jull 19
Ito Ingbity t it was coming
with part!** Imblab ebjae.
ras$9111kValla items, and one
for loos as wo11 as
071 a ropreseetative
ea with them
ject a 4001.0
prom and
all leaders
brood
()SI found that the AUC study is
ted to * case-by-case enplanation. emever,the stod7
to solve the more fUndamental aspect of the problem lo
definitely the nature et the various phenomena which are
sightings, or to discover maw 0,7 willab these sown
or eleetronic effects may be immediately identified
panel stated that these gelation, weld prebably be
gime or Just beyond the frontiers at oar present
fields of atmospheric, ionospheric, sad extraterrestrial
the added possibility that oar present dispersal of
note might also be a factors They recommended that
armed to perform three functienes
(1) Anit4se eon yetematise the fnetors of information which
the fundamental preblees
(2) Determine the fields of fanderental salience w
Investigated in order to reacb an understanding of the e-
na involved and
(3) Make recomme
reseerobio
stituted
air defense
25X1A
4 group could be con,.
t 11111111111* Air Yore*
th these responsibilities.
25X1A
Security !Ws:irritation
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SE411:'
Secy !ntormation
ao, e fl i ucer situation contains twe elements O danger
Which, in s 0..t,;:tion of international tension, have oational seeeriiy
ieplicAtione. Thee ere:
(I)
. w, . -,,:? j* verldawide aLghtinge reported, it
-
wee foun0 th time of our investigation, there had
been in the Russian press no report or eomment, evseleatirical,
on flytm:, eauceri, though ftldre Oromyke had made one humorous
mention of tile mabject. With a State-controlled press, this wield
mutat nntz, from an official policy decision. The question, there-
fore, eriece an to whether or not these sightings:
(a) Crand be eontrolled,
(b) Could be predicted, end
(e) 'nettle be used from a psych6iogicai
view either of ordefgnmdvelY?
The public concern with the phenomene, which is reflected in the
United States press and in preemere or inquiry upon the Air Force,
indicates thmt there is n fair ovsportion of our population which
is mentally onnationed to the eceisptanee of the inereditle. In
thiz fact lies the notential for the touching-"off of MASS hysteria
and panic.
(2) /4r Sulnerabilitt ante United Itates Air Warningetem
will undonbtedly alveys depend upon a combination et radar screen,-
ing and visual observation. We give Resale the preeent cm:Debility
of delivering an air attack against us, yet at any given moment
now, there may be current adWoen official unidentified sightings
pies maw unofficial. At any momeWatitack, we are now Ina
position where we cannot, on an instant basis, distineniah hard'.
were from phantom, end 49 tension seaunts we will run the increasing
risk of false alerts and the eves greater auger of falsely identle.
fying the real as phantom.
b. Both of these prebleme are primarily operational in natere but
each contains r adily apparent intelligence factors. From an eperie.
tional point of view,threaetiose are reqeireds
(1) Immediate steps Should be teen to Improve identification
of both visual and electronic phantom eo that in the event of an
attack, instant end nositive identification of eeemy please Cr
nisailas can be made,
Security information
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111'
. Security infor -ation
(2) A study odd be instituted to dote hat, if am,
egiliestion could be mode of these phenomena by United Statile
Parakalegiael warfare plenners, and what, if aey, defenses iheeld
be planned in anticipation of Soviet attempts to utilise thee*
I, national policy should to established as to Whet should
public regerding the phenomena, ie order to mdmdmise
C. Intolligance protases Implodes
(1) The present level of Russian knowledge rogerding these
91131101010011111 ?
(2) -casible Soviet 4.a
these phenomena to the detr
bilittes to ;ail
ty interest,*
(3 Ls reasona for silence in the "'owlet *rose regartnng
flying saucers*
d* Intelligence responsibilities in thin field as repros both
64 ion end ana4sis can be Ciseherged with effectivenese
ter mph mare is knows regarding the exact rthae of these
phenomena*
0, Ala problem tra
rosponsibilities, and is of mach lwoz
action by the National Seeurit) CrnmcU.
Xe Additional research, differing in ohareeter and emphals fres
that presently being performed by Air Forte, will be revired to meet
the specific needs it both operation, and intelligence*
Ra.OhhktUATIOIS
it in reseemended teats
C. lho Director OX4;,entral Jn ence advise the lational
it onnell at the esourity isplioatiome inherent in the flying
UL with the roomiest that, luster his statutory coordine-
ty the Director of Central Intelligenee be empowered to
the appropriate agencies, *Mine within or without
tile inwestigetion and research necessary to solve
instant positive identification It ounidentifAed flying
8 $ cooporat
at
for psychologi-
advising
&curl
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.1*-111ritY tnfcjrmatjop
aff se Ulu
a.,41 the
/4000autai, LA.1'
itu
25X1 A
On Dfre apansibUity ?
Ustor promm.ti reNterth, II develop are
tWe Att1on41 ,eogrity Council s rellOY et
will ainizisse the risk of panic,
111. ZAAL, ArfirE4,;,
Ilsaletent Director
"clentifin intelliobnce
OSI, b1 (11 September 1952)
Orig. & 4 - Addreceee
1 - Ad/SI
1 - Daily Reading,
1 . Sul4ect -
1 Ohrono
SLu L
Security informa.ton
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SECURITY INFORMATION
22 August 1952
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director (Intelligence)
SUBJECT: USSR and Satellite Mention of Flying Saucers
1. A search of Foreign Documents Division files has so
far produced no factual evidence that subject has been mentioned
in the Soviet Satellite press within the past two years. It is
believed that a derisive comment was made in a Russian news-
paper in 1948 on this subject but so far the article has not
been found.
1951, whi/Pli quoted below:
STATSPEC 2. has one broadcast on this subject, dated 10 June
STATSPEC
Summary - In what appears to be MosCowls first mention
of Flying Saucers "Listenerls Mailbag" answers ques-
tions on the subject to the effect that "The Chief of
Nuclear Physics in the US Naval Research Bureau" ex-
plained them recently as used for stratospheric studies.
US Government circles knew all along of the harmless
nature of these objects, but if they refrained from
denying "false reports, the purpose behind such tactics
was to fan war hysteria in the country."
3. A State Department cable recently received from Budapest
quotes the August lath copy of Szabad Nep as follows:
"Flying Saucer stories are another American attempt
to fan war hysteria." Radar dedection of saucers
is quoted in the article and it comments on the
ridiculous aspects of the source of the mystery.
The article concludes that it is part of American
rulers propaganda to prove the Western countries 25X1A
are threatening.
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25X1A
The Air Force Stand on "Flying Saucers" -- as stated by
IA, in a briefing on 22 August 1952
I. ThetAir iorce has primary responsibility for investigating "flying saucers".
The unit concerned with these investigations is a part of the Air Technical
Intelligence Center at Layton, Ohio, and consists of three officers (a Captain
in charge) and two civilians. They receive reports of sightings, analyze and
attempt to explain them. A standard reporting form has been prepared which is
used on a world-wide basis. The air Force Office of Special Investigations checks
into each sighting attempting to determine its authenticity and the reliability
of the observer.
II. (A) The .air Force officially denies that "flying saucers" are:
(1) U.S.secret weapons
(2) Soviet secret weapons
(3) Extra-terrestrial visitors
(B) It is believed that all sightings of "flying saucers" are:
Well known objects such as balloons (over 4000 are released daily
in the U.S.), aircraft, meteors, clouds, etc. not recognized as
such by the observer.
Phenomena of the atmosphere which are at present poorly Under-
stood, e.g., refractions and reflections caused by temperature
inversions, ionization- phenomena, ball lightning, etc.
III. Not a shred of evidence exists to substantiate the belief that "flying
saucers" are material objects not falling into category IIB(1) above.
IV. A study of "flying saucer" sightings on a geographical basis showed them
to be more frequent in the vicinity of atomic energy installations (which is
explained by the greater security consciousness of persons in those areas). That
by-products of atomic fission may in some way act catalytidally to produce
-,YEAAngssaupers" has not been disproved. The greatest namber of sightings has
been made at or near Elaytola; Ohio where the investigations are going on.
V. Of the thousands of"flying saucers" sighted of which there are records, the
Air Force says that 7 - have been explained by either IIB(1) or IIB(2) above,
2% have been exposed as hoaxes and the remaining 20% have not been explained
primarily because of the vague descriptions given by observers.
VI. The Air Force is mostly interested in the "saucer problem because of its
psychological warfare implications. In reviewing publications designed for Soviet
consumption, there has not been a single- reference to "flying saucers".. On the
other hand, several "saucer" societies in the United States have been investigated.
Key members of some of these Sorgeeties which have been instrumental in keeping the
"flying saucer" craze before the public have been exposed as being of doubtful
loyalty. Furthermore the socieites, in some cases, are financed gqii an unknown
source. The Air Force realizes that a public made jumpy by the "flying saucer"
scare would be a serious liability in the event of air attacks by an enemy. Air
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defense could not operate effectively if the Air Force Jere constantly called
? upon to intercept mirages which perspn4 had mistaken for enemy aircraft.
ARG
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19 .:ax t 1952
?????? - 0-1 - AT, -.3
04.41,QU
The purpose of this presentation is to report the findin,? of
the 3I study Group QS to
ons
Flying Saucer problem
will start with a resume or at we have done and a short history of
0-3
tho subject outline the Aix' Force effort
mill co into the explanations of
conclusions.
attin,ie I will awe ,-ou our
13-3
25X1A
Our group rviewed available intelligence official reports, press
az
orage end the main popular books. Indexes of. the Soviet
prose were scanned, We aponta day at -tright Field with the t2icere
conducting the Air Fore* etucr, nd finally we took the. problel to a
croup of our own consultmy
The Saucer furore in this cotmtrystartcd in June 1947 with a
repozt of nine discs .flying in formation past Tbunt Rainier at an
estiriated speed of 1000 milee per hour, This a fo11oud -lediately
by a continuing and increasing flood of reports r the months.
Therefore, in 1940, Air Force initiated .Project Saucer to 3tu47
rrEr
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Deoember 1949 released sections of it? soeret
causess
ghtinge steamed
nation and hoax
airit4cr'pretatlon of knew objects
This satiated niuoh of thc Yoblie but not certain sensational
combthod With 1.
of public interest
speculative books and
O f si, itthgs
arti.c1es
surzence
t Air Foroe1 early in 1951, reopeced its study,
inat4.tutod a world.wide rcportixi s- tam and alerted its bases to
intercept the unidentified objects.
interim conclusions in his
analysis of the cases dhownd "no pa
wnace to the United S tee"! that
probably
Se
e their
e. Mese
consistent with any
CGIIt -lashincton report? were
to "tcaprature Inversions"; and that the unexplainpd
uld not havo r ulted from any experiments or taste conducted
d States
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his discas;;Ion wad restate that o
or of
caries j.n explanation of these *on
develo-)ment, and space shipe the evi
oithar of fact
in so etronjy againn Ulm that they warrant at present
no nero than upnculative neidoration. However, it is important that
-itho believe in theca :sill continue to do so in spite
of any offioial pronouncement which may be mads. This whole affair
has demonstrated that there in a Pair proportion of our
ch
conditioned to accoptance of the incredible. Thus wo arrive
at too dancer pointe which, in a situation of international tension,
seem 5o hrvo Natiorini cnrity implications.
Earlier,i roritLonod our aoaroh oi oiLet preen, ATIC made a
th world.wide eightiese reported, we have folnd not
one report or oori,acrit, even
in the Russian press. This could
result only from an official policy decision and of course raises the
volition of &c and of whether or nob these sighting. could
from a psycholocical warfare point of view either offensively or dollen,
si 17. Air :orce is aware of thin and had investigated a naaber of
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civili gnp it hao ipr; ;:p to 110w the subject* One
Civilian Saucer Co.
California has substantial funds
inflnatoes tlx) editori
of a nenber of newspapers and ham
leadcira whose cannoo4ons may be questioriable Air Force is watching
this orcanization
c. rhaps we
ea
of its power to touch off maso hysteria
any indicatton of Russian off
American credulity
Of avon croatcrlament te the eecxid dangor. Our air warning
systezwillundo, tedly *Lway*mid upon a xitbinatton of radar
scanning end viaual oborvation, 4 give n,suta U?pabiltty
of delivering an jar attack against
ligence rx.) n
o capitalise
presant
now, there maj be a dozen official
basis
t of attack, how
for
stghtings plua
on an instant
iantoi*? The answer, of course,
that until tai oater
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Secy Inforr
1,710 is achieved of the c4uses bad( of the sightings
25X1 A er
Phcncmena
rialc of false Ale
real ao fall*
ts be
run the in-
7eatar danger of tabbing the
operational research problem but
as it oxtats it will iiwu intslaigence inplications beeanse of
on aL vulnerabili
and make no assegment of i
n to examine
s being done
The Air ioroe study is valid,
On a case by case basis, the great bulk of the sightings have been and
will continue to. be emplainod ...but the lil ted case acfproach vitU never
eave this sedond real prObl
posiUvw identiflcation.
should be done, we propose to dLeeusa
with aearch
25X1A aad Development Deara and to pass o
offo to assist in a study of come of the fund ritala.
aug et that the peyvhological possibilities both for anl against us
should be investigated From an intelligence point of view, OM has
been and will contthe:watchin ussian research and o nt in the
scientific fields involved,
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1$ August 1912
In the next few minutes,Iintend. to touch bristlyupon the offtel
explanations of the great majority of sightings of
fha tlyire
objects (or UM s) and mention possible phemomena i.htch nor aoconnt for
some of the
11111116
elaborate
ho eu,nt
keep in mind certain facts Which are genere1I7 *
Pinot. Is the eernsstnss. of these rating
certain that they have s
Ione XwouldlikslGntQ
men to all reports.
These psople are
Secondly, objects sighted almost always are reported to be 01161204
the sky thereby providing no point of refs:wee.
Thirdly, without a reference points a valid estimation of size, limmt?
distance of relative notion Is virtually impossible.
J'in*Uy. no debris or materiel evidenes has ever been recovered
following an unexplained sight tag.
In each case of reported sightings exists the personal element. This
Is the combined effect of psychological and ph3rsielsgtoal factors whieh
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MI ball" or together may have outstanding importance in the scoured r ?T
S person's report These faotore generally cannot be detcrrinM odolgiatelr.
he al fleet* es
Mental cncttttonixig by newspaper stories of earUer reported sightings.
responseIndividual emotional with respect to the xnknovn.
Desire for publicity resulting in "embrolderi or
fabrication.
interceptor.tton of chss of pilots.
Themajor t re s
bretolcgi
General physical condition of the person at sibttni
conditions of fatigue anoxia.
Xxistenee and extent of eye strain inmediatelr preceding eigh$141.
Insufficient nigh4 adaptation
ISV lot ve take up the enplane 116 which have been used to account for
veil over a thousand cases. Under the ?stage efs nilsiaterpretation of
identifiable objects.' ATIC feels that the most prevalent misinterpretetions
astrenonleal bodies. atmosOheris
'Jj
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orm
phenomena
There are two types of
Skybeok.. They
and vindhlown objects.
tgh /tut% balloons, acUoBonde ant the lavy
a as high as 20 elm. Altheush both types
sr* tracked a4 ootted for so*a tetnee, throe generally Is no accurate
nftretion of destrutte. Consequent
of the large number
ze2...sed dattr bt the weather widow? and resomrehgroups In theU.S., It
y might appear ov,r almost any
f the gee tags is not known but is believed to be poesibly weeks
Night.launched balloons carry a bright light to facilitate tracking. Nagy
others have radar-reflecti panels.
The Manton mete, ref.rr to by
misInternretatIon of a Navy $k?ok balloon. This vas in :annam 1947.
threeTheTa were interceptor
25X1A
agalalsot as a
piloted by Capt. Thoias Mental
limb to 20.000
t the object vas trim
anoxia sines
.,(14,
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Mt
o close
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A mute en
at Wright Yield
which illustrates the fact that objoots at high altitudes may be in sharp
illuminationvon one or two hours before dawn or after. This cave also
points
tareatiag Psychologionl facto
Tho time was neordusk. Capta
stLx3g of three red lights lit the
not determine their nature. An F.4
this altitude the pilot could see c
out to witness a
bon through binoculars ho could
rceptor climbed to 43.000 feet At
that the objects were a cluster of
three ftehodk balloons still well above h1jo sailing an oven course across
the sky. 37 this time, telephone repo
objects were bed as violently maneuvering various shapes
to oome In. The
and colors. Nven *looping*
vire reported. The medical staff at
Wright "lel N including the senior ps7chot>gtst. witnessed the sighting.
staff turned
t that these objects were balloons hey felt that this
The a
f
a
lug that, &mite the
1014 in error and that the slighting must have boon of some other unknown origin.
Probable the second most eoon misinterpretation is that of conventional
SE
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Zs dayttae, air
ly those that are unpainted, can
17 brilliant reflections ight. An int sting (sage under
tons
A group of aircraft design
tests of! their own Jet airplane. The three
wings SM red es, passed diractly overlie
if thir had not kayak what the obje
the silver wings against the ailqr
as flaming trait. and thy would hsw. Imagined objects ttti
Maryland.
the country to witness
craft, with unpaintod
At nighttime the
ob. ?
?
r misinterpretation of aircraft increases,
there are the dusk and dawn il1in*tIone already mentioned.
of running lights or refloetions of aircraft
bjects with square
misinterpretation, have
in clouds. There are a nusiber of reports of
tails or having lightedape
Images of conventional aircraft pr
Sono time ago a pulsating bvi
?
clouds of ice c
ht yellow light was roported moving
Pittsburgh ohniriT ? ler me
?
lagat.d to the ennexplainad* filo. A few %rooks ago in Washington a man
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h tts ropey, saw an onti...0e3iteiou light initsUattin
en ? OmPita Airlines airplane. This new safety device, a light "WWI
on the novo of the airplane, oscillates hack and forth Literally similar
to these installed on soma awbulanoss and polio* cars. A shook with Capital
Airlines "evaded that an airplane fitted vith
t had lohecked in*
while flying near Pittsburgh at the exact time ant pleas of the reporUng
sighting.
Let us tuon new to astronomical phonemes's. In the daytime lariats
particularly Venus, can to seen olearly as a bright whits ohjoct, even at
high noon under certain sonditio s. At night, meteors of various varieties'
have been
ionised
ionised t
:en for
b
41 lights. The i1nouimeteor trail of
picked. up 11, radar and at time, nisinxderstoo.i. This
remain visible to the eye far as Isag as one hour.
in the Marth's etao sphere have caused many misinter6
protations. sigh altitude *jet streams* traveling et high velocities.
tomperatura inversions and conditions of turhulent mixing of air of greatly
dUferent temperatures and densities exist and are not charted. They account
for optical as moll as radar aberrations in a mmeber of ease.. In one ass.
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;17 q47
1041
wltb his AZ g.aznloekod "Wes found himsolf on a sop% s1Dping
downwards course at low altit 0
argot vas on the grotmd
fl tiaryleat the
interceptor aircraft
0bsorver to act'
that the
It should be noted tbat radar
of the railer be hod,
both interne' and.
e still exist in disturbing ambers, The abilit of a radar
I
d.%ermiie ths validit
13
on his owspo is
of his ,xperiene.
Cloud effects have affs tsd the *eoiiraey of a nuriber of sighting*
Rapldll ??iith1tn c1oM end an
or a bright planet thi
object." Other
otion to a fixed body, The moon
loud hole at tin
doss appear ao a
intarPretations which aro known
to have aonountod for repo rte of !gbttuge inoimla variety of
indblovn objeste is out. Such an incident vas reported by ths
Mexico. Ears is his actual rpat
0At about 2:00 pas. last Sundv, I obsorved a silvery, shining
obje?t floating In the e1ee, blue sky almost direet4
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direetien. I toll
obioot woo firing also ana vas n run to the
I noticed that the object vas below the 1.vil of some
roved to Is that the
object was considerably rial1sr than avulturo. During the
course of two hours I saw a total of three of these objects all going
In ths SAMS direction, but at times apremeng to be stationary. Later
in the afternoon I found one of these discs
lava It
wns a seed e s d In a fluffy MA" of oaken fiber, ? lad It
rds and curiosity. I would, undoubtedlY
an seters] ying discs',
have roported that I
wing dist' which I captured, In my front yard.
rotation is t
on
been the ca of several reports of sightings as in the recent ease
described by tho Secretary
tina]3y, there is a case which
n formation were piCket ip on the radar scope. They were
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'-111rt)latrf
be travel
VINtil at 30,000 feet. It
that the reporting station had a soarahlight an& it
turned es In the
direction of the radar sighting It was innodiatelY disnsvered that the
.iat dee8. thing at300 feet altitude.
ve explanations are believed by ATIO to account for soma 80% of
tbe eittzga reported. They feel that the remaining 20% might be reducible
to IC% were it not for these reasons:
Insufficient information reported.
Incorrect information unwit iney or purposelY rePartea.
Innufficient or total leek of sOsegeent investigatien of dated
stillThis leaves ATIO 4th a poanThhe 10% of sightings for Which there
ohjset
is no Available enlanation.
Considering that the rining asss
d natural,
oonsnhtanta in Booton, Those on are outstanding in the fields of
eleotronloo and ?hetntnti. They emphasised to us t that there
-9.,
the CAI Proml ("onto
t hangth with throe
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*any sd.ntific frontiers which hare a* yst been
In these areas occur phenornono which war
electro aberrat
three categories,
They
S
lathe ft
Qott for optical er
They listed
Oriel kisnoa.za.
d also that rot1'*iote of nuclear fissiona ht hAve some effect
be the temperature inversions
treeeed by General Somfordo this hroom exists but the exact aeeha,ies
of its nonce, Its nature and manner of d diation are not wen understood.
Neither is its effect ttpon ste
refraction or
no little Is known o
light beams causing their
C
tals Which
exist at altitude. to 60,000 feet. Studies of the winds end the physical
a
and rese&roh rookets.
a
t very high altitudes have only reoently
lability of such agents a
ionization, the sr lere
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r 113/9 layer of
n to radio tx*neniio
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Were t
ht ten ears age
discover
well understood
the past
le concept of the or layer has been ebengec
at It split. sometimes into two levers of i
known 9 1.1 sa4 14. Recent tsst.utt].ising these layers have sb
usingpossibl, to transmit as far as lODO si3es * al 11111 frequineies.
This is totally opposed to the previous well accepted opinion that maxims
VBI *ion distance was limited to "line of sight.
It
oDecure.
for aenturies
St. Alm
0 crye
00%019
in
00
been re
ele s but its nature Is not known.
charge
corona discharge and Aurera smile axe catalogued in 6
'misty of forms but their exmat nature le unknown. The movement of vortices
of smoke particle., clouds of mo&ture and los crystals will cause changes
electrostaticin potential and say be affeated by the earths magnetic
a .
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OS
o and g
stably affect atiaospiertc phenomena
11421 in daily
ban the i
from outer space Is many thousand
of times Area
produced, by atomic bomb blast*.
This let could be extended at length. Bunt
of the nature and controlling factors of all of above is lama.
to soy. our gnor
Rifest* of interaction betw*en these natural i,h,neaena and radio I
materiel In the air can only be conjecture
optical or r*dar sightings caused bye**.
occurrence csnnot be predicted
mass of unssus3.
possible. ? Their
There is some strength to the hotbests that many of the unexplained
tings of TJOs may be electromagnetic or electrostatic in character.
ore lug this hype%
Abs nee of eoi.md, alt
ntly saving rapidly in the
Phenomena are apparently affeotd by shock waves or t
radiation of aircraft.
Report* of erratic cp,ration of varioMS kinds of instruments In
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the vicinity of sightings.
Sighting* e
wha* the lookground
Tere we rw eat of even
and, we still ars left with
oboe
ml; Los e and 0 time
oust had tsen n*!Ussb),
motions that might be tenable.
of incredible
ort* from credible
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