November 19, 2024: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Leads Senate Hearing on AARO and UAP Investigations
On November 19, 2024, the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, chaired by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), will convene to hold hearings regarding the activities of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO). The session will begin at 3:15 p.m. with a closed-door meeting, allowing for the discussion of sensitive and classified information. This will be followed by an open session in room SD-G50, providing an opportunity for public transparency on critical issues under examination.
The hearings are expected to look into cases of significant public interest that AARO has investigated, including high-profile incidents such as the Gimbal UFO video and the Aguadilla case, among potentially others. These cases have garnered widespread attention due to their compelling nature and potential implications for both national security and aerospace safety. The session promises to shed light on the methodologies, findings, and ongoing work of AARO, offering a clearer picture of how the government is addressing these anomalies.
The Subcommittee’s focus on emerging threats and capabilities underscores the importance of understanding and managing unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) within the broader context of security and technological challenges. With Senator Gillibrand at the helm, the hearings aim to bridge the gap between classified insights and public accountability, fostering a more informed discussion about these occurrences.
Previously, on November 14, 2024, Dr. Jon Kosloski, the newly appointed Director of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), held his inaugural media roundtable to discuss the Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP). During this session, Dr. Kosloski revealed that AARO had cataloged over 1,600 UAP cases, with 757 new reports submitted during the reporting period. While many were identified as mundane objects, approximately 900 lacked sufficient data for proper analysis and remain in an “active archive” for potential future investigation. Notably, less than 3.5% of all cases exhibited truly anomalous characteristics, suggesting advanced or breakthrough technology, though no definitive conclusions have been reached. Dr. Kosloski emphasized AARO’s commitment to reducing bias in UAP reporting and improving transparency, including plans to release a selection of resolved cases with video evidence on November 19, 2024.
Previously, the Department of Defense’s FY24 Consolidated Annual Report on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), released on November 14, 2024, offers a comprehensive analysis of UAP activities from May 1, 2023, to June 1, 2024. The report highlights increased interagency collaboration, notably with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), leading to a more extensive collection of UAP data. It also addresses security concerns, citing 18 incidents involving unmanned aerial systems near sensitive nuclear facilities, with two cases exhibiting unusual behavior patterns. Additionally, the report discusses the challenges posed by data limitations, noting that 444 out of 757 reports were moved to an “Active Archive” due to insufficient information. The deployment of the GREMLIN sensor suite in March 2024 is mentioned as a step toward enhancing UAP detection and analysis capabilities.
Previously on April 19, 2023, the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services held a hearing titled “To Receive Testimony on the Mission, Activities, Oversight, and Budget of the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office.” Dr. Sean M. Kirkpatrick, the Director of AARO, provided testimony during this session. The hearing focused on AARO’s role in investigating Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs), discussing its mission, current activities, oversight mechanisms, and budgetary considerations. This session marked a significant step toward increased transparency and governmental accountability regarding UAP investigations.
This report sets the stage for the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities’ open session on November 19, 2024, chaired by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. The session aims to provide public transparency on AARO’s activities and findings, potentially addressing high-profile cases such as the Gimbal and Aguadilla incidents. Dr. Kosloski’s emphasis on transparency and the planned release of resolved cases underscore AARO’s dedication to informing both Congress and the public about its investigations into UAPs.
