The Department of War has declassified a video recording from October 18, 2020, showing an unidentified aerial phenomenon observed by a military aircraft operating in an undisclosed location. The footage, designated PR81 under the Pentagon’s new PURSUE policy framework, was released by the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) as part of ongoing transparency efforts.
The video, captured by an aircraft with the callsign “Callsign,” shows a small, metallic object moving at high speed. According to the metadata, the sensor was operating in infrared mode and recorded the object for approximately 45 seconds. The object appears to accelerate rapidly and perform maneuvers not consistent with known aircraft or atmospheric phenomena.
The release follows the Department of War’s implementation of the PURSUE policy, which standardizes the reporting and declassification of UAP encounters. AARO, under the Office of the Secretary of Defense, has been tasked with analyzing such incidents to determine their origin and potential implications for national security.
The report does not specify the exact location or altitude of the encounter, but it notes that the platform was operating in a controlled airspace during a routine training mission. The sensor data includes telemetry and video, which AARO analysts are currently reviewing. The filename indicates the incident occurred in 2020, but further details remain classified.
This is the third UAP video released by the Pentagon in recent months, following similar declassifications from 2022 and 2023. AARO officials emphasize that the release does not confirm the objects are extraterrestrial, but rather that they remain unidentified after initial analysis.
Moving forward, AARO plans to request additional data from the Department of War, including radar logs and pilot debriefings. The office may also interview the aircrew to gather more context. AARO director Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick has stated that the office is committed to transparency while protecting sensitive operational details.
