Aircraft
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Aircraft are powered vehicles used for civilian transportation, military operations, and other purposes. Pilot and aircrew sightings interest researchers, but a report of an unidentified object does not, by itself, indicate an unusual aircraft or unknown technology.
This page brings together reports of objects and lights seen near aircraft, footage and sensor displays, accounts involving fighter jets, and documents on aviation research. Some cases have possible explanations; in others, the available information is not enough to determine what was seen.
Everything we've published on Aircraft
Common questions about Aircraft
What Is an Aircraft?
An aircraft is a powered vehicle that gets lift from its wings as it moves through the air. Aircraft are used, among other things, to carry passengers and cargo and to carry out military missions.
Is Every Unidentified Object Near an Aircraft a UFO?
The term UFO describes an unidentified flying object; it does not establish where the object came from. A sighting may turn out to be an aircraft, a balloon, or something else, but there is not always enough information to reach a conclusion.
Why Do Pilots Report Unidentified Objects?
Pilots and aircrew may spot objects or lights during a flight, and aircraft systems can also display unidentified returns. A report documents a sighting; it does not necessarily prove the object's identity.
Can You Identify an Aircraft by a Light or Trail in the Sky?
A light or trail alone is not always enough for a reliable identification. Assessing a sighting requires details such as location, time, direction of travel, weather conditions, and clear images.
What Do Reports of Marks on Military Aircraft Displays Show?
Some reports describe spots or marks that moved, disappeared, and reappeared on sensor displays. The display alone may not reveal what caused the mark, so it cannot establish the identity of an object.
