UNCLASSIFIED // PUBLIC RELEASERELEASE 02 · MAY 22, 2026
PENTAGON UFO FILE · VIDEO · DOW-UAP-PR0837 October 2020 [CALLSIGN] observes UAP
This is a long, continuous track. The uploader titled it “7 October 2020 [CALLSIGN] observes UAP.” AARO places it in U.S. Central Command’s area, the military region covering the Middle East and Central Asia, in October 2020, believes an infrared sensor on a U.S. military platform recorded it, and notes it was posted to a classified network that same month.
Following a faint target
At 00:09 a patch of contrast comes in from the right side, and the operator pans to bring it to the center. For nearly three minutes after that, the camera changes zoom level several times while keeping the target in view. From 03:21 the operator cycles through imaging modes as well as magnifications, trying to hold onto what AARO describes as a faint contrast area. At 04:09 it fades from view entirely.
After a short blank stretch, a contrast area appears again on the right at 04:27, and the operator pans to center it as the recording ends. AARO does not say whether this is the same target.
What the record doesn’t settle
Switching modes and magnifications, as here, is how operators try to keep a weak target visible, but AARO does not say why this one grew faint. The release gives no altitude, range, heading or mission context, and AARO’s timeline is not an analytical conclusion. Other clips are at videos.
The official description
From war.gov/UFO, released May 22, 2026, quoted in full
On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records allegedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) identified a collection of responsive materials held on a classified network. Many of these materials lack a substantiated chain-of-custody.
AARO assesses that this video, whose uploader-defined title is, “7 October 2020 [CALLSIGN] observes UAP,” is likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the United States Central Command area of responsibility in October 2020. A user uploaded this video to a classified network in October 2020. Video Duration: 00:04:34 Video Description: 00:09-00:25: An area of contrast enters the right side of the sensor field-of-view. The sensor pans to track the area of contrast, keeping it generally within the center of the frame. 00:26-03:20: The sensor cycles its zoom level multiple times, panning to track the area of contrast. 03:21-04:08: The sensor cycles modalities and zoom levels multiple times to focus on a faint area of contrast. 04:09: The area of contrast loses distinctiveness against the background. 04:10-04:26: No content. 04:27-04:34: An area of contrast appears on the right side of the sensor field-of-view, and the sensor pans to bring the area of contrast to the center of the display.
This video description is provided for informational purposes only. Readers should not interpret any part of this description as reflecting an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination regarding the described event’s validity, nature, or significance.