The Lakenheath-Bentwaters UFO

On the night of August 13-14, 1956, unidentified objects were tracked on radar at multiple US and RAF stations in Suffolk, England. RAF jets were scrambled to intercept. The objects demonstrated impossible flight characteristics.

The Detection

Radar operators at RAF Bentwaters tracked objects moving at unprecedented speeds. Some stationary returns suddenly accelerated to 4,000 mph. Multiple radar stations confirmed the tracks independently.

The Intercept

RAF Venom jets were scrambled from RAF Waterbeach. One pilot achieved radar lock on an object, which then circled behind him and locked onto his aircraft. Despite evasive maneuvers, he could not shake the object.

The Witnesses

Ground radar operators, air traffic controllers, and pilots all witnessed the objects. The objects were tracked visually and on radar simultaneously. The correlation between systems ruled out equipment malfunction.

Official Response

The case was investigated by Project Blue Book, which classified it as “unexplained.” The Condon Report later cited it as one of the cases that could not be satisfactorily explained.

Assessment

Lakenheath-Bentwaters represents a case where advanced technology demonstrated superiority over military interceptors. The official acknowledgment that it remains unexplained adds weight to its significance.