US asks UK for help with UFO investigations as Pentagon says alien life has not been ruled out

1 June 2023, 07:42

Members of an independent NASA panel studying UFOs, said in their first public meeting on Wednesday that scant high-quality data and a lingering stigma pose the greatest barriers to unraveling such mysteries.
Members of an independent NASA panel studying UFOs, said in their first public meeting on Wednesday that scant high-quality data and a lingering stigma pose the greatest barriers to unraveling such mysteries. Picture: Getty
EJ Ward

By EJ Ward

In a remarkable development, the Pentagon has officially reached out to the United Kingdom, urging them to share any information they possess regarding unidentified flying objects (UFOs).

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

This request comes as the investigations into perplexing sightings gain momentum, with a dedicated task force already fielding a staggering 800 reported encounters.

At a recent gathering of the esteemed Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, consisting of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, the primary objective was to enhance collaboration in terms of reporting and analyzing these enigmatic aerial apparitions.

Speaking at the gathering, Dr Sean Kirkpatrick, the head of the Pentagon's UFO task force, known by the rather intriguing name of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), shed light on the discussions underway: "We've engaged in discussions with our esteemed partners on matters of data-sharing.

We seek to understand their reporting procedures, the extent of analysis they can offer, the calibration assistance they can provide, and how we can reciprocate these efforts.

We are currently establishing this crucial framework, with the aim of assimilating their information and data into our comprehensive process."

Dr Kirkpatrick revealed that the AARO has witnessed a surge in reported sightings, now standing at a remarkable count of 800, a notable increase from the 650 figure he presented before Congress just last month.

These sightings predominantly featured spherical objects, measuring between one to four meters, frequently observed at altitudes ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 feet.

It is worth noting, however, that Dr Kirkpatrick classified only a small percentage, around 2 to 5 percent, as "anomalous," thus warranting further scrutiny.

Video grab image taken on 28 April 2020 showing ‘unidentified aerial phenomena’.
Video grab image taken on 28 April 2020 showing ‘unidentified aerial phenomena’. Picture: US DoD

Addressing the need for international collaboration, Dr. Kirkpatrick attended the inaugural public meeting of a Nasa panel dedicated to investigating unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs).

He revealed Nasa's intentions to expand scientific and academic partnerships with allied countries, aiming to incorporate them into this burgeoning international endeavour.

During the session, Dr Kirkpatrick showcased a video, previously released, featuring a metallic orb captured in the Middle East last year.

He remarked, "We encounter such sightings across the globe, often demonstrating intriguing and seemingly unconventional manoeuvres."

Comprising 16 experts hailing from fields such as physics and astrobiology, the Nasa panel has been subject to online abuse and harassment, casting a shadow on their crucial work.

Dan Evans, a senior Nasa research official, expressed concerns, stating, "Harassment only perpetuates the stigmatization of the UAP field, significantly impeding scientific progress and discouraging further exploration of this significant subject matter."

Echoing these sentiments, David Spergel, the chairman of the Nasa panel, stressed the importance of collecting more and improved data on UAPs.

He remarked, "To summarize what we've learned thus far, it is imperative that we obtain high-quality data. The current data collection efforts pertaining to UAPs suffer from a lack of systematicity and fragmentation across various agencies, often employing instruments ill-suited for scientific data collection."

The Pentagon has released many images of UAPs
The Pentagon has released many images of UAPs. Picture: US DoD

The term UFOs, long widely associated with notions of flying saucers and aliens, has been replaced in official government parlance by the abbreviation UAP.

Recent US law revised the UAP acronym, previously confined to "aerial" phenomena, to stand for "unidentified anomalous phenomena," expanding the NASA study team's research scope to include puzzling events in space or at sea.

Moreover, both NASA and defence-intelligence officials have stressed that while the existence of intelligent alien life has not been ruled out, they have found no evidence suggesting an extraterrestrial origin for UFO sightings.

As the Pentagon's pursuit of UFO revelations gains momentum, international collaboration and the acquisition of reliable data emerge as the focal points, with researchers striving to shed light on the mysteries that permeate our skies.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Donald Trump

Trump adviser tells hush money trial of firestorm over leaked ‘grab women’ tape

Left to right: Shane Cunningham, Leo Knight and Cartel Bushnell

Teenager who stabbed 16-year-old to death at Bath birthday house party jailed for life as two others also sentenced

Hope Hicks

Former presidential media adviser takes stand in Trump hush money trial

Flooded town in Brazil

Dozens believed dead as southern Brazil is hit by worst rain in 80 years

Footage of the flooding (via AP)

At least 29 dead, 60 still missing after heavy rains in southern Brazil

A group of people were hit by a car in Tameside.

Shocking moment car ploughs into group of people in 'hit-and-run' outside polling station as two arrested

Donald Trump

Gagging order on Trump does not stop him from testifying, says judge

Alfie Lewis was stabbed to death near a school in Leeds

Boy, 15, found guilty of murdering teenager Alfie Lewis as he walked to meet friends near Leeds school

Labour hails big local election wins but Sunak says public will stick with Tories at general election despite dismal results

Labour hails local election wins but Sunak says public will 'stick with' Tories at general election despite poor results

Mr Sunak has called a meeting for later this month.

Rishi Sunak summons university chiefs amid ‘serious concerns’ over antisemitism following clashes on US campuses

A woman has been hit by a bus outside Victoria station.

Woman rushed to hospital after being hit by double-decker bus outside London Victoria station

'Hero' father who fought off Hainault 'sword killer' posts update from hospital bed and thanks NHS for 'keeping me alive'

'Hero' father who fought off Hainault 'sword killer' posts update from hospital bed, thanking NHS for 'keeping me alive'

David Skaith, Kim McGuinness and Clare Ward have all been elected as regional mayors

Labour wins mayoral races in 'Rishi Sunak's backyard', York and North Yorkshire, North East, and East Midlands

The parents of rising young cricketer Josh Baker have paid tribute to their son.

Cricketer Josh Baker’s parents say they are ‘broken’ after his death aged 20 as they share emotional tribute

Russian invasion of Ukraine

Ukrainian officials urge Western partners to speed up military aid deliveries

Welcome back! King Charles embraced by neice Zara on surprise visit days after his return to public duty

Welcome back! King Charles embraced by niece Zara on surprise visit days after his return to public duty