CIA-UAP-D021, Analysis of Unconventional Aircraft Sightings, 1955
According to the releasing agency (CIA, via the U.S. Department of War UAP release), this memorandum documents a 1955 CIA analysis of reports describing 'flying saucers' or 'unconventional aircraft.' Sections 1 and 2 reference an incident detailed in observer debriefings (paired document CIA-UAP-D020): a dispatch from Prague (C-103, dated 13 October 1955) reported the sighting of two disc-like aircraft by four observers. An interview with one observer, identified as Mr. Bfron/Efron, failed to confirm several details of the dispatch. The memo summarizes the observation as two lights rising vertically before passing overhead at high altitude, and includes caveating language noting the observer's testimony was likely conditioned by nighttime conditions and prior remarks about flying saucers by Senator Russell. The author concludes the observer's testimony alone could not confirm the existence of any unconventional aircraft, and recommends careful interrogation of the other witnesses. Section 3 cites Dr. [Howard] Robertson's group (the 1953 Robertson Panel), which explained almost all U.S. sightings and concluded such phenomena represented no threat to U.S. security. Section 4 discusses then-current research into 'saucer-like aircraft' under Project 'Y,' a joint U.S.-Canadian aerospace development program. The document is noted as redacted.
Description
A 1955 CIA memorandum to the Director of Central Intelligence analyzing reports of 'flying saucers' or 'unconventional aircraft,' based on observer debriefings related to a sighting reported via a dispatch from Prague. The memo evaluates witness testimony, references the 1953 Robertson Panel, and discusses the U.S.-Canadian Project 'Y' aerospace program.
Claims
A dispatch from Prague dated 13 October 1955 reported the sighting of two disc-like unconventional aircraft.
85%An interview with one observer failed to confirm several details given in the dispatch.
80%The author concluded that the reports, as described, did not confirm the presence of an unconventional aircraft.
80%The 1953 Robertson Panel concluded that almost all sightings represented no threat to U.S. security.
85%Project 'Y' was a contemporary joint U.S.-Canadian aerospace program researching saucer-like aircraft.
80%
Events
Oct 12, 1955
Prague dispatch reporting flying saucer sighting
Dispatch C-103 from Prague reported the sighting of two disc-like unconventional aircraft by four observers.
Dec 31, 1954
CIA analysis memorandum
CIA memorandum analyzing the reported sighting and observer debriefings.
Dec 31, 1952
Robertson Panel investigation
Dr. Robertson's group investigated U.S. flying saucer sightings, concluding they posed no threat to U.S. security.
Dates mentioned
Keywords
Entities
Extracted text (OCR)
YEMCQAMNM FOR: Director of Coutee Mntellimance suse? 1 Flying Saucers er Unconventional Aireragt A, A dispatch fram Prague, ©-103, Gatea 13 derober 1955, Feported the sighting ef two flying saucers or disc-lire wmeonventional aircraft. An isterview with Wr. Bfron, one of the four observers Of these aircraft, failed to confirn in several respects the information -iven in the Aispatch. 2. tile observations were Linttes to sighting tvo Lights which initially arose vertically and then approached the train and passed over head at « high altitule. ie in view of the fact that 11 vas wit, that be thought the aireraft quite high (9000 feet) and teat his observations were undoubtedly conditioned by ccnator Russell's rewarks ‘that be had oeen a flying saucer, too mich eonfidence cannot ‘be given to his observation, The fact that so noise we beard may also have influmeed his opinion on the unconventional eberacteristie of the object. Be also fulled to confins the excitewant of the train official following the incident. It is my belief that Bfram's testimony alone could sot coafize the existence of aiy wmequrecticaal siroraft. Towerer, he was not in position to have as gol a lock os were the other wanders of the patty. A very careful interrogation of the other nenbers is in order. 3. To years agp, De, Sobertecn headed 8 group which invostignted U.8. sightings of flying saucers. This group vas eble to explain almost all the eightings and reached ‘he conclusion that these phencasns represented no threat to the security of the 0.3, Fven if the present sightings
Related files
Connected through the network
