Pentagon UFO Program Revealed

On December 16, 2017, the New York Times published a groundbreaking article revealing the existence of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), a secret Pentagon program that had been studying UFOs. The article was accompanied by declassified Navy videos showing encounters with unidentified objects.

The Article

The New York Times revealed:

• Pentagon had secret UFO program
• Ran from 2007-2012 officially
• Funded at $22 million
• Studied UFO reports
• Involved defense contractors

AATIP

The Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program:

• Created by Senator Harry Reid
• Run by Luis Elizondo
• Investigated military UFO reports
• Produced classified studies
• Largely unknown to public

Luis Elizondo

The program’s director:

• Resigned in October 2017
• Cited lack of attention to threat
• Went public with concerns
• Became prominent figure
• Continues advocacy

The Videos

Released with article:

• FLIR1 (Nimitz, 2004)
• GIMBAL (2015)
• Objects displayed unusual characteristics
• Navy pilots’ reactions audible
• Validated by Pentagon

The FLIR1/Tic Tac

The 2004 video showed:

• USS Nimitz encounter
• Object tracked by targeting pod
• No visible propulsion
• Unusual movement
• Pilot astonishment

To The Stars Academy

Connected to revelation:

• Tom DeLonge’s organization
• Elizondo joined
• Helped release videos
• Brought attention to issue
• Controversial but effective

Pentagon Response

Initially:

• Confirmed program existed
• Acknowledged videos were real
• Did not claim to identify objects
• Later acknowledged ongoing interest
• Opened new era

Public Impact

The story:

• Made worldwide headlines
• Changed conversation about UFOs
• Legitimized the topic
• Led to more revelations
• Congressional interest sparked

Subsequent Developments

Following the article:

• More videos released
• Congressional briefings
• New programs established
• Legislation passed
• Disclosure accelerated

Significance

The 2017 revelation is significant for:

• First official acknowledgment
• Video evidence released
• Pentagon involvement confirmed
• Changing public perception
• Beginning of disclosure

Legacy

The December 2017 New York Times article marked a turning point in UFO history. Official acknowledgment that the Pentagon had been studying UFOs transformed the subject from fringe topic to legitimate national security concern.