Summary

The Department of the Air Force submitted a report to AARO consisting of 58 seconds of video footage from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform in 2020. The reporter did not provide any oral or written description. Video Description: 00:00-00:03: Sensor tracks area of contrast acquiring a reticle lock. 00:04-00:30: Area of contrast gradually increases in distinctiveness against the background. 00:31: Sensor narrows field-of-view to zoom in. 00:32-00:56: Area of contrast increases in apparent size and distinctiveness. 00:57-00:58: Area of contrast leaves the center of the frame, passing out of the sensor field-of-view via the bottom right corner. AARO Comment: The area of contrast's apparent increase in size is likely at least partially attributable to the U.S. platform closing the distance between itself and the source of the detection. Released via PURSUE Release 1, May 8, 2026.