DOW-UAP-D094, Analysis of Flying Object Incidents in the United States, 1949
WAR.gov / Department of War PURSUE Release 04
This file contains a U.S. Air Force (USAF) Air Intelligence Division study, “Analysis of Flying Object Incidents in the United States,” Study No. 203, dated 04/28/1949.
Document Highlights
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Short overview
This U.S. Air Force Air Intelligence Division study, dated April 28, 1949, assesses reported flying-object incidents and possible explanations for them. It also includes contemporary reports and examples of experimental flying-wing aircraft forms.
Why this is interesting
The study illustrates how early official analysis separated the observation of an object from its identification. It considered domestic or foreign technology as reasonable possibilities and discussed the potential significance of Soviet scientific, military, or intelligence activity.
Selected passages
- “it appears that some object has been seen; however, the identification of that object cannot be readily accomplished.”
- “two ‘reasonable’ origins”
- “flying wing” type aircraft planforms
Background
This file contains a U.S. 203, dated 04/28/1949. The analysis includes an assessment of various reported unidentified flying object (UFO) incidents and theories to account for their nature and origin. Overall, the study assesses that “it appears that some object has been seen; however, the identification of that object cannot be readily accomplished.” The study offers that two “reasonable” origins might account for the phenomena: technologies of a domestic or foreign origin. It also suggests that, if foreign, it is prudent for the United States to assume that UFO observations are attributable to scientific, military, or intelligence activities of the Soviet Union, and, in that case, to take seriously the threat such objects may pose. The file also contains selected contemporary UFO reports and examples of experimental “flying wing” type aircraft planforms that might account for certain commonly reported UFO characteristics. AARO Comment: This file appears to be a later revision of the file contained in DOW-UAP-D093, whose content is substantively similar.