All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO)

The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) has recently emerged as the leading arm of the U.S. government dedicated to investigating Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP). With its inception in July 2022, the office has swiftly moved to employ scientific rigor and data analytics to explore this largely uncharted territory. This article provides a look at the mission, vision, and approach of AARO, aiming to offer insights into the significance of its work and its strategies for public engagement.

Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick, the Director of AARO, emphasizes the organization’s commitment to upholding transparency and keeping the public informed. “This platform will serve as a conduit for regular updates on our progress and findings. We’re also establishing a robust mechanism for reporting UAPs,” states Kirkpatrick. By doing so, AARO aims to make UAP investigation a more collaborative and transparent process.

AARO’s primary objective is to minimize the element of surprise in encounters with unknown phenomena by coherently coordinating scientific research, intelligence gathering, and operational actions. In essence, the agency works to preemptively identify, attribute, and mitigate any UAP that could compromise national security, especially around sensitive areas.

AARO envisions itself as a centralized body that brings together the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and civil sectors. By adhering to stringent scientific methodologies and intelligence protocols, the organization aims to detect, track, analyze, and manage UAPs in a streamlined manner, with an emphasis on transparency and inter-agency communication.

What Constitutes UAP?

Per the NDAA FY23 Section 1673(d)(8), UAPs are defined as airborne, submerged, or transmedium objects whose identity and behavior defy immediate explanation. Specifically, these could be objects that exceed known performance capacities, manifest in one or more domains (air, sea, space, etc.), and lack identifiable characteristics or attributions.

Addressing “Anomalous Detections”

Anomalous detections are phenomena that display capabilities or characteristics that exceed known technology or scientific understanding. A UAP could involve multiple such objects and may persist for an extended duration, further complicating their study and potential impact on national security.

Public Involvement: Reporting Mechanism

AARO is launching a reporting tool specifically for current or former U.S. government employees, service members, and contractors who have direct knowledge of UAP-related activities dating back to 1945. The data collected will be pivotal for AARO’s Historical Record Report, which aims to comprehensively document and understand the extent of UAP encounters over the decades.

It’s important to note that AARO is legally authorized to receive all UAP-related information, including classified data, without any restrictions. However, the initial reporting form is not designed for the transmission of classified or sensitive data. Additional steps will be taken to securely obtain such information.

AARO represents a groundbreaking venture in the field of UAP studies, armed with the dual purpose of scientific exploration and national security. Its multi-disciplinary approach, backed by stringent protocols and transparency measures, marks a paradigm shift in how unidentified anomalous phenomena are understood and managed. As AARO continues to evolve, it stands to not only deepen our understanding of the unknown but also to fortify the nation’s preparedness for unforeseen challenges.

Further Reading on AARO’s Investigations

For those interested in gaining a more in-depth understanding of AARO’s activities and case studies, below are links to specific incidents that the organization has reported on. These incidents provide valuable insights into the types of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs) that AARO is actively investigating and serve as tangible examples of the agency’s commitment to scientific rigor and public transparency.

1. AARO Middle East Object: MQ-9 UAP Incident (2022)
   • This investigation focused on a mysterious object encountered by an MQ-9 drone over the Middle East. The details of this incident shed light on the complexities involved in identifying and analyzing UAPs.
2. AARO South Asia Object 1: MQ-9 UAP Incident (2023)
   • A more recent event that underscores the continued prevalence of unidentified phenomena. This incident involved another MQ-9 drone, this time operating in South Asia, and adds to the growing body of evidence that AARO is collecting.

These incidents are part of AARO’s broader initiative to thoroughly document and comprehend the range of UAP activities. By exploring these case studies, readers can better appreciate the substantial efforts being undertaken to advance our understanding of these perplexing phenomena, as well as the security implications they may have.