Eglin Pilot's Cone-Shaped UAP, 2023
Military pilot tracked four radar objects, visually closing on rounded cone at 16,000 feet.
Pending
Pending
All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office
AI Disclosure Brief
AI assistedReported Object Read
Military pilot reported four radar contacts in formation at 16,000-18,000 feet; visually observed one gray object with paneled surface, orange-red center, rounded bottom and cone-shaped top, approximately 12 feet in diameter, either stationary or moving very slowly.
Notable Characteristics
- Color: Gray with orange-red center
- Luminosity: Heat signature from bottom; blurry air
- Size: 12 feet diameter
Reported Motion
- Slow or stationary; wind-carried; descended into clouds
Evidence Notes
- Pilot visual description
- EO/IR still images
- Radar tracks
AARO resolved this military pilot's report of a cone-shaped object as very likely a commercial lighting balloon, supported by EO/IR images, pilot accounts, lab testing, and independent IC/S&T reviews; no anomalous behavior confirmed.
Other
RADAR, ELECTRO-OPTICAL
85%
Prosaic Leads
- Commercial helium lighting balloon
- Meteorological or Mylar balloon with sun glint
- Wind-carried lighter-than-air object
Anomalous Indicators
- Initial radar formation of four objects
- Reported engine-like feature (uncorroborated)
- Radar malfunction coinciding with close approach
Evidence Gaps
- No video due to inoperable equipment
- No EO/IR data on three other radar objects
- Undiagnosed cause of recurring circuit breaker trips
Evidence Quotes // source statements
Open archive"AARO assesses the reported UAP very likely was a lighter-than-air object, such as a large commercial lighting balloon."
Unknown speaker, Assessor / AARO
Key Findings section
Source"The pilot described the object as gray with a paneled surface and orange-red coloring at the center."
Unknown speaker / AARO Report
Pilot description from initial report and AARO discussion
Source"Intelligence Community partner assesses with high confidence the object was not exhibiting anomalous characteristics."
Unknown speaker, Assessor / Intelligence Community
Intelligence Assessment
SourcePattern Mesh // linked sightings
Mt. Etna Spherical Object, 2018
UAS operators tracked a round object transiting volcanic ash plume at high speed.
Same source archive
Shared tags: case-resolution, balloon
Western US Equidistant Lights, 2021
Military sensors captured five lights resolved as distant commercial aircraft.
Same source archive
Shared tags: case-resolution
Southeast Asia Triangles Resolved as Fishing Nets
AARO resolves 2017 satellite imagery of six dark triangles as static cone-shaped fishing nets.
Same source archive
Shared tags: case-resolution
Atmospheric Wakes Over Middle East, 2022-2023
UAV operators reported potential anomalous propulsion signatures resolved as sensor artifacts.
Same source archive
Shared tags: case-resolution
Al Taqaddum Balloon Cluster, 2017
Infrared sensor on Iraqi blimp captured floating object resolved as balloons.
Same source archive
Shared tags: case-resolution
Go Fast FLIR Object Off Florida, 2015
Navy pilot's infrared video shows object at 13,000 feet moving with wind, not anomalous speeds.
Same source archive
Shared tags: case-resolution
Chronology Trace // before & after
No dated sibling signals are available yet.
Official Files // source material
1 linkedEglin Case Resolution
UNCLASSIFIED 1 UNCLASSIFIED All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office U.S. Department of Defense (U) Case: “Eglin UAP” Case Resolution | 14 October 2023 (U) Case Essentials (U) A military pilot reported the object due to its potential as a flight safety hazard and an incursion into a sensitive training range (U) Location: Near Eglin Air Force Base, Florida (U) Date: 26 January 2023 (U) Altitude: 16,000 feet (U) Shape: Rounded, cone (U) Reporter: Military personnel (U) Sensor: Electro-optical, infrared, visual identification, and radar (U) Behavior: No confirmed anomalous behavior (U) Case Status: Resolved; very likely a lighter-than-air object, such as a large commercial lighting balloon (U) Confidence Level: Moderate (U) Case Background (U) On 26 January 2023, a military