A Light That Looked Like a Car Glided Over the Desert

USPER5 and USPER6 observed a glowing orange orb at a witness-estimated range of 'approximately 500-600 meters' (AARO later assessed ~1050 meters) perched close to a rock pinnacle. Witnesses estimated size similar to a 'small helicopter cockpit'; AARO later assessed 12-18 meters in diameter. USPER6 noted it 'did almost appear it might have had a small spindle or something connecting it from underneath to the rock formation.' The object emitted no noticeable sound and 'seemed to be hovering with zero resistance or movement, or to be suspended.' Sighting lasted about a minute.

Witnesses

USPER5 · USPER6

Sensors

Visual / bare eye

The object

Glowing orange orb, ~12-18 m diameter (AARO assessment), hovering silently near a rock pinnacle, possibly with a 'small spindle' connecting it underneath; likened to 'the Eye or [sic] Sauron from Lord of the Rings, except without the pupil, or maybe an orange Storm Electrify bowling ball.'

Outcome

Object hovered for ~1 minute; AARO later collected measurements refining range and size

USPER5 and USPER6 observed what they initially thought was a car with two lights (one red, one white) about 2-3 feet off the ground traveling along a road in a restricted zone. As agents approached within a few hundred feet, the object suddenly moved laterally off the road over the desert without changing orientation, at an estimated 15-20 mph, with 'zero resistance' and no change in height. It stopped about 100 meters off the side of the road and turned off its lights. USPER6 used NVGs and saw the object 'for a split second in the NVGs before the light turned off'; with lights off, a 'very thin line' (~4 ft wide, horizontal to the ground) remained. The object then began moving again at ~15-20 mph and 'move[d] up in height...but [remained] a flat line' before being lost from sight. AARO later described the object as triangular.

Witnesses

USPER5 · USPER6

Sensors

Visual / bare eye · Night vision goggles (NVGs)

The object

Two lights (red and white) ~2-3 ft off ground; described as a 'thin line' from the back, an 'ill defined, dark kite shape that had some rounded width to the sides' (~4 ft wide); described in later AARO discussions as triangular

Outcome

Object turned off its lights, then moved upward and out of sight

Responding to a report of another unauthorized object, USPER5 and USPER6 returned with USPER7 and observed a kite-shaped object with a lighting pattern similar to the 'Dark Kite,' about 6 meters off the ground, canted at an angle from lower right to upper left, floating slowly with the wind. USPER5 used NVGs; USPER6 used the bare eye; USPER7 did not see the object. USPER5 reported they could 'vaguely see a bright star or two in the distance through the object, though somewhat more faint,' suggesting it was somewhat transparent. After losing sight, USPER5 used a spotlight; at one point the spotlight beam 'went from shining far into the distance to stopping about 50 yards away on nothing in particular, it just was not projecting into the distance and then it was.' When pointed at the same spot again, the light projected normally. The team could not reacquire the object.

Witnesses

USPER5 · USPER6 · USPER7

Sensors

Visual / bare eye · Night vision goggles (NVGs) · Spotlight

The object

Kite-shaped, canted (lower right to upper left), ~6 m above ground, semi-transparent (stars visible through it but dimmer), with lighting pattern similar to the 'Dark Kite'; outline 'was not definitive, but location of lights stayed in exact formation'

Outcome

Object was lost from sight and could not be reacquired