Bottom Line
While the new reporting portal is currently restricted to current or former service members and contractors with direct knowledge of alleged U. S. government programs, it represents a structured effort by the Department of Defense to gather data for mandated historical and annual reports on unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP).
Article Summary
The US Department of Defense has launched a new secure online portal designed to facilitate the reporting of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) sightings. This initiative is aimed at gathering detailed accounts from specific groups within the government and military community.
This effort directly supports the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), which is tasked with documenting, analyzing, and resolving reports of unidentified aerial phenomena for Congress.
The portal's immediate scope is limited to current or former service members, government employees, and contractors who have direct knowledge of alleged U. S. government programs related to UAP dating back to 1945.
This structured approach comes as AARO prepares for a congressionally mandated Historical Record Report due by June 2024, in addition to its regular annual reporting requirements on UAP activity.
Who Can Use the Initial Reporting Portal
The Pentagon announced that this initial phase of the secure reporting mechanism is specifically for 'current or former US government employees, service members, or contractors with direct knowledge of alleged US government programs or activities related to UAP dating back to 1945. '.
This restriction means the portal is not intended as a general public resource for all citizens to report sightings immediately. Instead, it targets individuals who have professional or historical involvement with U. S. government programs concerning unidentified aerial phenomena.
AARO Director Sean Kirkpatrick strongly encouraged current and former government employees and contractors to utilize this new form, acknowledging the significant public interest in reporting UAP activity.
Mandate for Data Collection: Historical and Annual Reporting
The primary function of the secure portal is to assist AARO in gathering comprehensive accounts of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) sightings. This data collection effort serves two major reporting requirements.
First, there is a congressionally mandated Historical Record Report that must be delivered to Congress by June 2024. Second, AARO is required to produce an annual report detailing UAP activity, in addition to the forthcoming historical document.
The agency's recent annual report indicated that they had investigated nearly 300 UFO sightings over the past year, with some of these objects raising concerns due to their high-speed travel and unusual maneuverability.
Guidance for Non-Government Personnel
The Department of Defense provided specific guidance for other groups who may encounter unidentified objects. Civilian pilots are advised to report any unidentified objects they observe directly to air traffic control.
From there, the sightings are submitted through established channels to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This process ensures that civilian observations enter the existing infrastructure for review and documentation.
While the current portal is restricted, AARO stated that reporting eligibility will eventually be extended to the general public in a future phase of the secure mechanism. Furthermore, they are actively exploring methods for public reporting in what is anticipated to be a forthcoming third phase.
Operational Limits and Scope
The AARO website explicitly stressed that the platform is not intended for conveying potentially sensitive or classified information. This limitation helps maintain the integrity of the data collected through the secure portal.
Active military personnel and contractors are reminded that they should continue to report UAPs through their respective service branches or federal agencies, maintaining established chains of command for reporting.
The focus remains on gathering actionable accounts from those with direct institutional knowledge, ensuring the information gathered is relevant to the mandated government review processes.
What Remains Unclear About Public Access
Although AARO Director Sean Kirkpatrick acknowledged public interest and stated that reporting eligibility would eventually be extended to the general public, the timeline for this expansion remains undefined.
The process by which the 'forthcoming third phase' will operate—and how it will transition from a restricted government portal to a broader public resource—has not been detailed in the current release.
Until that future phase is launched, the primary mechanism for UAP reporting remains highly specialized and limited to specific professional groups.
Key Points
- The DoD established a secure portal specifically for service members, contractors, and government employees with direct knowledge of alleged U. S. programs.
- AARO is using the data from this portal to prepare for a congressionally mandated Historical Record Report due by June 2024.
- Civilian pilots are directed to report sightings through air traffic control and the FAA, rather than directly using the new secure portal.
- The current platform explicitly excludes potentially sensitive or classified information, maintaining strict operational boundaries.
- Public reporting is planned for a future phase of the mechanism, but no timeline has been provided.
Why It Matters
This development underscores a shift toward institutionalizing UAP documentation within the Department of Defense structure. By creating a specialized portal, the DoD aims to centralize expert accounts and historical program details, moving beyond ad-hoc reporting. This formalization suggests that UAP analysis is becoming a core, mandated function requiring structured data input from those with direct operational knowledge.
UAP Radar Analysis
Confirmed
The US Department of Defense launched a new secure online portal assisting AARO in gathering UAP sightings from current/former service members and contractors. This effort supports mandated historical and annual reports to Congress. Civilian pilots must report unidentified objects through air traffic control to the FAA.
Not Confirmed
It is not confirmed that all UAP activity reported through this new system is classified or related to programs dating back to 1945, as the portal explicitly excludes sensitive information. The exact timeline and mechanism for extending public reporting eligibility are unconfirmed.
Main Takeaway
The launch of a restricted UAP reporting portal signals a formal, structured effort by the Department of Defense to consolidate institutional knowledge regarding unidentified aerial phenomena. However, the current limitations mean that general public sightings must still follow established civilian channels like air traffic control for documentation.
What Needs More Review
To fully understand the scope of this initiative, more details are needed on the timeline and operational guidelines for the forthcoming third phase, which is expected to extend reporting eligibility to the general public. Clarity on the specific data types or knowledge sets required from contractors would also be beneficial.
Related Topics
Reader Note
While this secure portal exists for government personnel, readers should remember that civilian pilots are still instructed to use the traditional air traffic control and FAA channels for immediate reporting of unidentified objects encountered during flight.
FAQ
Is this portal open to the general public right now?
No. The initial phase is restricted to current or former service members, government employees, and contractors with direct knowledge of alleged U. S. programs.
What is AARO's main goal for collecting these sightings?
AARO is gathering data for a congressionally mandated Historical Record Report due by June 2024, in addition to producing required annual reports on UAP activity.
Should civilian pilots use this new portal?
No. Civilian pilots are specifically instructed to report unidentified objects directly to air traffic control, which then submits the sightings to the FAA.
Does 'direct knowledge' mean everything related to UAP programs?
The Pentagon specified that the initial phase is for those with direct knowledge of alleged US government programs or activities related to UAP dating back to 1945.
What happens if I am a contractor and want to report something?
Contractors are eligible users in this initial phase, but they should also be aware that active military personnel should use their respective service branches or federal agencies for reporting.