Within AARO Role
Why unresolved does not mean alien
Kirkpatrick's credibility rests partly on AARO's push to turn scattered UAP reports into a more disciplined evidence and attribution process.
On this page
- How AARO reframed UAP reports as attribution problems
- Why poor sensor data leaves cases unresolved
- How NASA's data warnings support a cautious reading
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Introduction
A key part of Sean Kirkpatrick’s credibility as AARO’s first director rests not on whether every UAP case was solved, but on how the office handled cases that were not. Under Kirkpatrick, the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) tried to move UAP investigations away from anecdote and towards a structured reporting and attribution process. The central message was simple: an unresolved case is not automatically evidence of alien technology. In many instances, it is evidence that the available data are incomplete, contradictory, poorly calibrated, or insufficient to support a confident conclusion. AARO’s approach therefore treated UAP reports primarily as intelligence, aviation-safety and data-analysis problems rather than as proof of extraordinary claims. [NASA Science]science.nasa.govNASA ScienceIndependent Study Team ReportAt present, analysis of UAP data is hampered by poor sensor calibration, the lack of multiple me… [NASA]science.nasa.govNASA ScienceIndependent Study Team ReportAt present, analysis of UAP data is hampered by poor sensor calibration, the lack of multiple me…
This distinction matters when assessing Kirkpatrick’s official credibility. Supporters argue that AARO introduced a more disciplined framework for evaluating reports. Critics argue that unresolved cases may still conceal significant discoveries. The dispute is therefore less about whether unresolved incidents exist—they clearly do—and more about what unresolved status actually means.
How AARO reframed UAP reports as attribution problems
Before AARO, military UAP reporting often appeared fragmented. Different services, sensors and commands could record unusual events without a standard process for comparing evidence or assessing explanations. AARO’s mission was to create a central system that collected reports, evaluated sensor information, and attempted attribution—the process of determining what an observed object or event most likely was. [U.S. Department of War]war.govdepartment of defense releases the annual report on unidentified anomalous phenDepartment of WarDepartment of Defense Releases the Annual Report on…14 Nov 2024 — AARO received 757 UAP reports during this period; 4…
Under Kirkpatrick, the office repeatedly emphasised that identification is not a binary choice between “explained” and “alien”. Instead, investigators worked through a spectrum of possibilities:
- Conventional aircraft.
- Balloons and atmospheric objects.
- Drones and unmanned systems.
- Sensor artefacts and processing errors.
- Foreign surveillance technologies.
- Cases with insufficient evidence for attribution.
This framework was important because it changed the meaning of an unidentified report. A report could remain unresolved without implying that investigators had found exotic technology. In AARO’s methodology, unresolved often meant that the evidence failed to meet the threshold required for a reliable conclusion. [AARO]aaro.milAARO Historical Record Report Vol 1 2024AAROAARO_Historical_Record_Repor…6 Mar 2024 — • Although many UAP/UFO cases remain unsolved, based on the lack of evidence of the extra…
For credibility purposes, this is one of the strongest arguments in Kirkpatrick’s favour. Rather than presenting unknowns as discoveries, he generally described them as analytical gaps requiring more data.
Why poor sensor data leaves cases unresolved
One of the most consistent findings across AARO reporting is that many UAP cases suffer from inadequate sensor information. Investigators often receive only a short video clip, a single sensor track, or an observation lacking supporting telemetry.
AARO has repeatedly noted that without corroborating data from multiple systems, analysts can struggle to determine basic characteristics such as:
- Actual speed.
- Distance from the observer.
- Size.
- Altitude.
- Flight path.
- Environmental conditions.
An object that appears extraordinary on one sensor may appear far less unusual once radar, optical and infrared information are combined. Conversely, if those additional data are unavailable, analysts may be unable to distinguish between a physical object, a sensor effect or a misperception. [AARO]aaro.milUAP Records/Information Papers13 Feb 2026 — In August 2025, AARO sponsored a workshop on UAP Narrative Data, Infrastructures, and Analysis in partne… [U.S. Department of War]media.defense.govDOPSR 2024 0263 AARO HISTORICAL RECORD REPORT VOLUME 1 2024Department of WarAARO Historical Record Report Volume 18 Mar 2024 — • Although many UAP/UFO cases remain unsolved, based on the lack of e…
Several of AARO’s publicly released unresolved videos illustrate this problem. The office has published cases in which imagery alone was insufficient for attribution because supporting telemetry or sensor metadata were missing. In such circumstances, the case remains unresolved not because investigators have confirmed anomalous performance, but because they lack the information needed to eliminate competing explanations. [AARO]aaro.milAAROUAP ImageryHowever, due to the absence of corroborating telemetry or multi-modal sensor data, AARO cannot determine whether the obser… [DVIDS]dvidshub.netVideo - PR-008, Unresolved UAP Report, Europe 2022The United States European Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phen…
This distinction is often lost in public discussion. “Unidentified” describes the status of the investigation, not the nature of the object itself.
What unresolved cases actually tell us
A common misunderstanding is that unresolved cases represent positive evidence for extraordinary claims. AARO has generally resisted that interpretation.
The office’s historical review stated that many UAP reports remain unsolved, yet it found no evidence establishing extraterrestrial origins for any investigated case. Similarly, AARO’s annual reporting has repeatedly shown that cases move between categories as new information arrives. Incidents initially considered mysterious have later been attributed to balloons, birds, drones or other ordinary causes once additional data became available. [AARO]aaro.milAARO HomeUnidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) means (A) airborne objects that are not immediately identifiable; (B) transmedium objects… [U.S. Department of War]media.defense.govDOPSR 2024 0263 AARO HISTORICAL RECORD REPORT VOLUME 1 2024Department of WarAARO Historical Record Report Volume 18 Mar 2024 — • Although many UAP/UFO cases remain unsolved, based on the lack of e…
At the same time, unresolved does not mean trivial. Some cases remain under investigation precisely because available data do not comfortably fit known explanations. In later reporting periods AARO acknowledged a smaller subset of incidents that warranted additional analysis because of reported anomalous characteristics or behaviours. However, the office also stated that these cases had not been verified as extraterrestrial, nor as evidence of breakthrough foreign technology. [New York Post]nypost.comThe "all-domain anomaly resolution office" (AARO) identified 21 reports as "true anomalies" needing further investigation. Most sightings…
For readers evaluating Kirkpatrick, this is an important balance point. He did not claim that all reports were solved. Rather, his position was that unresolved status alone should not be treated as proof of an extraordinary explanation.
How NASA’s data warnings support a cautious reading
One reason Kirkpatrick’s position gained support from some scientists is that NASA’s independent UAP study reached strikingly similar conclusions through a separate process.
NASA’s 2023 independent study found that current UAP analysis is hampered by poor sensor calibration, missing metadata, lack of multiple measurements and inadequate baseline information. The study concluded that there are too few high-quality observations to support firm scientific conclusions about many reported events. [NASA Science]science.nasa.govNASA ScienceIndependent Study Team ReportAt present, analysis of UAP data is hampered by poor sensor calibration, the lack of multiple me… [NASA]nasa.govupdate nasa shares uap independent study report names directorUPDATE: NASA Shares UAP Independent Study Report14 Sept 2023 — There are currently a limited number of high-quality observations of UAP…
The NASA team also stressed that the absence of good data is itself a major obstacle. According to the report, many incidents involve brief observations, incomplete recordings and inconsistent collection methods. As a result, uncertainty persists even when investigators act in good faith and apply rigorous analysis. [NASA Science]science.nasa.govNASA ScienceIndependent Study Team ReportAt present, analysis of UAP data is hampered by poor sensor calibration, the lack of multiple me… [nextgov]nextgov.comnasa report finds no evidence ufos are extraterrestrialNextgov/FCWNASA report finds no evidence that UFOs are extraterrestrial15 Sept 2023 — Analysis of this data is “hampered by poor sensor c… This overlap matters because NASA was not operating under Kirkpatrick’s authority. The convergence between NASA’s findings and AARO’s conclusions suggests that the “data quality problem” is not merely an institutional talking point from AARO but a broader assessment shared by independent scientific reviewers. [NASA Science]science.nasa.govNASA ScienceIndependent Study Team ReportAt present, analysis of UAP data is hampered by poor sensor calibration, the lack of multiple me… [NASA]science.nasa.govNASA ScienceUAP9 Jun 2022 — On September 14, 2023, the NASA Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Independent Study Team published its final r…
What this means for Sean Kirkpatrick’s credibility
Within the debate over Sean Kirkpatrick’s reliability, AARO’s reporting system is one of the strongest pieces of evidence supporting his official credibility. The office attempted to standardise reporting, centralise analysis and distinguish clearly between identified, unresolved and anomalous cases. Its public position consistently emphasised evidential limits rather than dramatic conclusions. [U.S. Department of War]media.defense.govDOPSR 2024 0263 AARO HISTORICAL RECORD REPORT VOLUME 1 2024Department of WarAARO Historical Record Report Volume 18 Mar 2024 — • Although many UAP/UFO cases remain unsolved, based on the lack of e…
Critics remain unconvinced, arguing that classified information could contain more significant findings than those visible in public reports. Because much of AARO’s work involves defence and intelligence systems, outside observers cannot independently review every dataset. That limitation leaves room for continuing disagreement. [The Guardian]theguardian.comConducted by the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), the investigation reviewed historical data and conducted interviews with of…
However, the specific lesson from AARO’s handling of unresolved UAP cases is narrower than many public debates suggest. Under Kirkpatrick, unresolved generally meant that the available evidence did not support a confident attribution. It did not, by itself, constitute evidence of extraterrestrial craft, hidden technologies or any other extraordinary explanation. That distinction sits at the centre of both AARO’s methodology and Kirkpatrick’s public credibility as a UAP investigator. AARO [NASA Science]science.nasa.govNASA ScienceIndependent Study Team ReportAt present, analysis of UAP data is hampered by poor sensor calibration, the lack of multiple me…
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Endnotes
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Source: science.nasa.gov
Link: https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/uap-independent-study-team-final-report.pdfSource snippet
NASA ScienceIndependent Study Team ReportAt present, analysis of UAP data is hampered by poor sensor calibration, the lack of multiple me...
-
Source: nasa.gov
Title: update nasa shares uap independent study report names director
Link: https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/update-nasa-shares-uap-independent-study-report-names-director/Source snippet
UPDATE: NASA Shares UAP Independent Study Report14 Sept 2023 — There are currently a limited number of high-quality observations of UAP...
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Source: aaro.mil
Title: AARO Historical Record Report Vol 1 2024
Link: https://www.aaro.mil/Portals/136/PDFs/AARO_Historical_Record_Report_Vol_1_2024.pdfSource snippet
AAROAARO_Historical_Record_Repor...6 Mar 2024 — • Although many UAP/UFO cases remain unsolved, based on the lack of evidence of the extra...
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Source: war.gov
Title: department of defense releases the annual report on unidentified anomalous phen
Link: https://www.war.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3964824/department-of-defense-releases-the-annual-report-on-unidentified-anomalous-phen/Source snippet
Department of WarDepartment of Defense Releases the Annual Report on...14 Nov 2024 — AARO received 757 UAP reports during this period; 4...
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Source: aaro.mil
Title: UAP Records
Link: https://www.aaro.mil/UAP-Records/Source snippet
/Information Papers13 Feb 2026 — In August 2025, AARO sponsored a workshop on UAP Narrative Data, Infrastructures, and Analysis in partne...
Published: August 2025
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Source: media.defense.gov
Title: DOPSR 2024 0263 AARO HISTORICAL RECORD REPORT VOLUME 1 2024
Link: https://media.defense.gov/2024/Mar/08/2003409233/-1/-1/0/DOPSR-2024-0263-AARO-HISTORICAL-RECORD-REPORT-VOLUME-1-2024.PDFSource snippet
Department of WarAARO Historical Record Report Volume 18 Mar 2024 — • Although many UAP/UFO cases remain unsolved, based on the lack of e...
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Source: aaro.mil
Link: https://www.aaro.mil/UAP-Cases/Official-UAP-Imagery/Source snippet
AAROUAP ImageryHowever, due to the absence of corroborating telemetry or multi-modal [sensor data]({{ 'sensor-data/' | relative_url }}), AARO cannot determine whether the obser...
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Source: dvidshub.net
Link: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/977839/pr-008-unresolved-uap-report-europe-2022Source snippet
Video - PR-008, Unresolved UAP Report, Europe 2022The United States European Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phen...
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Source: dvidshub.net
Link: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/961723/unresolved-uap-report-middle-east-2023Source snippet
Video - Unresolved UAP Report: Middle East 2023The recording, captured in the Middle East in 2023, depicts an apparent thermal contrast w...
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Title: nasa report finds no evidence ufos are extraterrestrial
Link: https://www.nextgov.com/ideas/2023/09/nasa-report-finds-no-evidence-ufos-are-extraterrestrial/390350/Source snippet
Nextgov/FCWNASA report finds no evidence that UFOs are extraterrestrial15 Sept 2023 — Analysis of this data is “hampered by poor sensor c...
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Source: science.nasa.gov
Link: https://science.nasa.gov/uap/Source snippet
NASA ScienceUAP9 Jun 2022 — On September 14, 2023, the NASA Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Independent Study Team published its final r...
Published: September 14, 2023
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Source: science.nasa.gov
Link: https://science.nasa.gov/uap/faqs/Source snippet
8 May 2026 — The UAP independent study team's main focus for the report was to come up with a way in which to evaluate and study UAPs goi...
Published: May 2026
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Source: nasa.gov
Link: https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-to-release-discuss-unidentified-anomalous-phenomena-report/Source snippet
NASA to Release, Discuss Unidentified Anomalous...There are currently a limited number of high-quality observations of UAP, which make i...
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Source: aaro.mil
Link: https://www.aaro.mil/Source snippet
AARO HomeUnidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) means (A) airborne objects that are not immediately identifiable; (B) transmedium objects...
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Source: theguardian.com
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/08/pentagon-ufo-report-hiding-aliensSource snippet
Conducted by the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), the investigation reviewed historical data and conducted interviews with of...
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Source: nypost.com
Link: https://nypost.com/2024/11/14/us-news/pentagon-says-nearly-two-dozen-ufo-sightings-cant-be-explained-true-anomalies/Source snippet
The "all-domain anomaly resolution office" (AARO) identified 21 reports as "true anomalies" needing further investigation. Most sightings...
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Source: dvidshub.net
Link: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/988675/pr-017-unresolved-uap-report-europe-2024Source snippet
PR-017, Unresolved UAP Report, Europe 2024This unresolved report contributes to AARO's historical and locational trend analyses. VIDEO IN...
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Source: dvidshub.net
Link: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/962722/unresolved-uap-report-middle-east-2024Source snippet
Unresolved UAP Report: Middle East 2024However, due to the absence of corroborating telemetry or multi-modal sensor data, AARO cannot det...
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Source: Wikipedia
Title: NASA Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Independent Study Team
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA_Unidentified_Anomalous_Phenomena_Independent_Study_TeamSource snippet
NASA Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Independent...The team's report was released on September 14, 2023, and did not find evidence t...
Published: September 14, 2023
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Title: UAP | Unidentified Anomaly or Demand Signal?
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|11 Nov 2025 — In this report, we map the defense-industry procurement noise, program risk, reputational exposure, near-term markets, (se...
Additional References
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Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/UAP/comments/16iinsd/nasa_unidentified_anomalous_phenomena_independent/Source snippet
NASA UNIDENTIFIED ANOMALOUS PHENOMENA...1 year to publish a 30 pages report stating: Data must be collected carefully. When we have dat...
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Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/nasa/comments/16ij1ym/nasa_has_released_the_unidentified_anomalous/Source snippet
NASA has released the Unidentified Anomalous...NASA has released the Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena independent study team's report wi...
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Source: usaherald.com
Link: https://usaherald.com/us-government-pentagon-releases-new-ufo-files-sparking-fresh-questions-as-declassified-uap-evidence-surges/Source snippet
US Government: Pentagon Releases New UFO Files...22 hours ago — Insufficient data quality continues to be a major issue, with sensors of...
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US: Pentagon Releases Files on UFOs, Aliens After...The Pentagon has now released a trove of declassified UFO files, officially referred...
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Source: wired.com
Link: https://www.wired.com/story/nasa-ufos-aliens-report-2023Source snippet
The agency stressed the need to shift the conversation from sensationalism to science and eliminate the stigma associated with reporting...
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Source: thebaynet.com
Title: pentagons latest uap report sheds light on anomalies but questions remain
Link: https://thebaynet.com/pentagons-latest-uap-report-sheds-light-on-anomalies-but-questions-remain/Source snippet
Pentagon's Latest UAP Report Sheds Light On Anomalies...20 Nov 2024 — AARO's ability to resolve cases is often constrained by the lack o...
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Source: youtube.com
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQcqOW39kskSource snippet
Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Independent Study ReportNASA commissioned an independent study team to examine unidentified anomalous ph...
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Figuring out the truth behind Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs) takes more than speculation, it requires hard science.Read more...
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Source: nevadacurrent.com
Title: nasa report finds no evidence that ufos are extraterrestrial
Link: https://nevadacurrent.com/2023/09/18/nasa-report-finds-no-evidence-that-ufos-are-extraterrestrial/Source snippet
18 Sept 2023 — Analysis of this data is “hampered by poor sensor calibration, the lack of multiple measurements, the lack of sensor metad...
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Source: scientificamerican.com
Title: bad data not aliens may be behind ufo surge nasa team says
Link: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bad-data-not-aliens-may-be-behind-ufo-surge-nasa-team-says/Source snippet
Bad Data, Not Aliens, May Be behind UFO Surge, NASA...9 Jun 2023 — Gaining any new clarity about surging reports of unidentified anomalo...
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