Triangular UAP AARO MFR 2026

                       OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
                                          5000 DEFENSE PENTAGON
                                         WASHINGTON, DC 20301-5000



INTELLIGENCE
AND SECURITY

      MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD
      All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office | Department of War

      Subject: All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) Witness Debrief: Unidentified
      Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) Observation,           1843(a)(1)(C)              1843(a)(1)(C)


      2026.
      Interviewers:
                                1843(a)(3)
                       1843(a)(3)
      Primary Interviewees:
         -   1843(a)(2) (SOURCE 1):                             1843(a)(2)

                                          1843(a)(2)
                     1843(a)(2)              (SOURCE 2):                  1843(a)(2)
                                              1843(a)(2)

                  1843(a)(2)
      Additional Corroborating Witness:            1843(a)(2)        (SOURCE 3):         1843(a)(2)


                                         1843(a)(2)
      OVERVIEW:
      This report reflects the reporter’s interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations
      should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic
      object features or performance characteristics.

      On approximately             2026, at 2023L, federal law enforcement agents documented an
                         1843(a)(1)(C)


      unidentified craft presenting as a matte black triangular shape of extremely low aspect ratio that
      was nonreflective under the observed lighting conditions. It had an estimated thirteen-to-fifteen-
      foot wingspan, apparent six-to-nine-foot fuselage length, and a maximum vertical thickness of
      roughly one to two feet. The unidentified craft maintained a completely fixed horizontal
      alignment with did not tilt, sway, or wobble during the controlled vertical ascent of
      approximately ten seconds. It climbed to an altitude of an estimated 200 to 300 feet above the
      local ridge line. Upon reaching this altitude, the craft instantaneously arrested all vertical motion
      and entered a stable hover for an estimated twenty seconds. It then reportedly transitioned from
      a zero-velocity state directly into high-speed horizontal flight, executing a fluid banking
      maneuver and terrain-hugging descent into a canyon drainage in approximately two to three
      seconds, with speed the observers described to be as fast as a fighter jet. Under banking angle,
      the craft’s silhouette appeared to flatten and present as a more triangle.

      The unidentified craft generated no detectable acoustic signature throughout the entire
      engagement. It did not produce engine roar, rotor hum, aerodynamic friction, or air-displacement
                       OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
                                          5000 DEFENSE PENTAGON
                                         WASHINGTON, DC 20301-5000



INTELLIGENCE
AND SECURITY

      sound despite velocities of conventional military fighter aircraft. In the infrared spectrum it
      displayed a spatially uniform thermal signature across the entire airframe without localized
      thermal concentrations, exhaust gradients, or discrete heat sources associated with propulsion.
      The exterior presented as a continuous (seamless), featureless surface lacking any discernible
      structural discontinuities, propulsive apertures, intake structures, aerodynamic control effectors,
      or cockpit features. No physiological effects were reported by the agents.

      CHRONOLOGICAL NARRATIVE OF EVENTS:
     1843(a)(1)(C) : SOURCE 1 and SOURCE 2 were positioned at the primary observation post
      conducting routine observation support. Weather conditions were highly favorable for both
      visual and electro-optical collection, with unrestricted line of sight, negligible cloud cover, and
      late-dusk illumination. The sun had dropped entirely below the western horizon, eliminating
      direct solar glare. A residual sunset gradient provided a high-contrast backdrop against the
      western ridge lines while the deeper valley floors and canyon cuts were rapidly falling into
      shadow. Primary optical and tripod-mounted sensor systems were initially oriented eastward.

      At 2023L, SOURCE 3, positioned at the secondary observation post scanning westward with
      long-range thermal equipment, detected an elevated object transiting over the ridge line and
      called out the contact to SOURCE 1 and SOURCE 2. Upon receipt of the radio alert, SOURCE
      1 and 2 reportedly immediately relocated across the peak to establish a westward visual line of
      sight. Terrain conditions precluded quick relocation of the primary tripod-mounted thermal
      system. SOURCE 2 noted he advanced with binoculars and a handheld thermal monocular;
      SOURCE 1 followed seconds later. SOURCE 2 reported acquiring the unidentified craft with the
      unaided eye as it silhouetted against the residual western sky illumination. Binoculars were
      employed for initial tracking and then passed to SOURCE 1. SOURCE 2 purportedly powered
      the handheld thermal monocular and began concurrent infrared observation.

      Phase I – Vertical Ascent (Duration: ~10 seconds)
      Upon initial visual acquisition the unidentified craft was executing a slow, controlled, perfectly
      vertical ascent directly over the ridge line. The craft climbed approximately two to three
      hundred feet while maintaining a completely static orientation without tilting, swaying, or
      wobbling. The non-reflective, matte black exterior presented a continuous, featureless profile
      with. No propulsive apertures, rotating elements, rivets, panels, windows, canopy, cabin
      structures, and no protrusions or structural features were observed. The ascent occurred in
      absolute acoustic silence. Range to the object was bounded between approximately 1.4 and 3.2
      miles west of the primary observation post by terrain cross-reference.

      Phase II – Station-Keeping Hover (Duration: ~20 seconds)
      Upon reaching approximately 200 to 300 feet above the ridge line, the unidentified craft
      instantaneously arrested all vertical motion and entered a stable hover. It remained in this
      station-keeping attitude for approximately twenty seconds with no observable drift or oscillation.
      The exterior remained uniformly featureless. Under infrared observation the entire airframe
      presented a spatially uniform thermal signature with no localized hot spots, engine heat
                         OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
                                            5000 DEFENSE PENTAGON
                                           WASHINGTON, DC 20301-5000



INTELLIGENCE
AND SECURITY

      signature, or exhaust plumes. No heat shimmer, vapor trail, or particulate discharge was
      detected. The surface did not exhibit cloaking, optical shifting or distortion, or shimmering
      properties, remaining matte black throughout. There was no thermal fluctuation or expansion
      independently of the physical profile of the craft. The transition from stable hover to high-speed
      horizontal flight occurred without observable acceleration ramp, gradual pitching or momentum.

      Phase III – Terminal Maneuver and Loss of Contact (Duration: ~2-3 seconds)
      Immediately following the hover, the unidentified craft appeared to transition from a stationary
      position to rapid horizontal flight. Approximated by the distance made along the ridge before
      visual contact was lost, the SOURCES estimated that its speed was compared to that as a
      military fighter jet. No instrumented speed measurement was obtained.
      It executed a fluid banking turn and steep, terrain-conforming descent into the canyon with
      drainage similar in appearance to low-altitude terrain-masking flight. The unidentified craft did
      not wobble, oscillate, or drift in the wind during any part of its transit, and as it banked to follow
      the canyon's path, its physical profile shifted relative to the observers. The entire horizontal
      transition, bank, and descent lasted approximately two to three seconds before the craft
      disappeared behind intervening terrain. Under banking angle, the silhouette flattened and
      presented as a more symmetrical isosceles triangle. Absolute acoustic silence persisted
      throughout the high-velocity phase. Infrared tracking was lost due to the sudden acceleration
      exceeding the narrow field of view of the handheld monocular; subsequent unaided visual
      tracking confirmed the craft’s disappearance into the canyon shadows. No impact signature,
      smoke, dust, or physical disturbance was observed. A ground survey of the canyon drainage
      conducted the following morning located no wreckage, ground scarring, or vegetation damage.

      Collector Note: SOURCE 1 and SOURCE 2 have extensive operational experience working
      alongside government agencies and academic studies utilizing unmanned aerial systems (UAS)
      and regularly observe conventional aircraft operating around the observation site. 1843(a)(1)(B), 1843(a)(1)(C)
                       1843(a)(1)(B), 1843(a)(1)(C)                    They noted that on this hilltop,
      even a conventional Group 1 drone, high-torque quadcopter motor, or rotary-wing aircraft
      operating at a distance of 1.4 miles would have been clearly audible. The SOURCES established
      a spatial, elevation, and speed bounding for the unidentified craft based on prominent local
      terrain features. SOURCE 1 and 2 compared the physical outline of the craft against the trees
      along the ridge line behind it providing a reliable physical scale reference.

      The two primary witnesses reported no physiological effects. There were no reports of (but not
      limited to) disorientation, nausea, headache, dermal sensation, visual disturbance, memory gap,
      or other anomalous sensory phenomena. No anomalous odors were noted. No electromagnetic
      interference, signal degradation, or anomalous sensor readings were recorded on personal or
      agency equipment.

      REPORT PREPARED BY:
                   1843(a)(3)                  All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) |
                   1843(a)(3)              Official Record of Joint Witness Debrief