NORAD: 813 initial unknown targets in 1986
NORAD's technical intelligence processed 813 initial unknown targets in 1986, pursuing nearly two-thirds with fighter interceptors. After identifications, 123 remained unknown by year-end, later reduced to 87.
Background
Event Details
In 1986, NORAD technical intelligence initially reported 813 unknown targets, drawn from an even larger set of uncorrelated tracks. Almost two thirds of these cases were pursued by fighters, with more than a third of the launches leading to successful identification. About half of the total were resolved through further correlation with civil air traffic control.
Analysis and Results
At the end of the year, 123 targets remained unidentified. Additional intelligence analysis reduced this to 87 'unidentified' cases in early 1987, some 10 per cent of the original number. The data come from sources such as Clark III (p. 801) and Clark IV (p. 893).
Significance
The case illustrates the high level of unknown aerial activity in North American airspace and the intensive processing by NORAD. It shows efficiency in reducing the numbers, but leaves a significant residue that may point to genuine anomalies.