The “Air Intelligence Division Study: Analysis of Flying Object Incidents in the United States,” dated December 10, 1948, is a crucial document in the history of UFO research. Originally classified as Top Secret, it was ordered to be destroyed in 1950, but surviving declassified copies have been obtained and studied by researchers such as Michael Swords, Jan Aldrich with Project 1947, the late Clifford Stone, and many others.
This document provides an early analysis of UFO sightings and the government’s approach to understanding these phenomena. Its survival has made it a valuable resource for understanding the initial stages of official UFO investigations.
One of the key aspects of the document is its detailed examination of various UFO sightings across the United States. It includes descriptions of the objects’ appearance, behavior, explores patterns or trends observed in the sightings.
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There were many specific UFO cases broken down, one of which described an object in September 1947 which was clocked at going faster than any known aircraft at the time.
Estimated to be going 840-900MPH, the fastest known record at the time was 650MPH set on August 25, 1947, by Major Marion Eugene Carl, USMC, in a Douglas D-558-1 Skystreak. The next record came after this UFO encounter, but still was shy of the speed at only 670MPH, and that was set on October 14, 1947, by Chuck Yeager in the Bell X-1.
The report also discusses the potential explanations for these sightings, including natural phenomena, misidentifications, and foreign technology.
The significance of this document lies not only in its content but also in its historical context. It provides insight into the government’s early efforts to understand and address the UFO phenomenon, which was a topic of growing public interest and concern at the time. The decision to classify the document as Top Secret and later order its destruction reflects the sensitivity and potential implications of the information it contained.
Researchers who have studied the document have highlighted its importance in the broader history of UFO research. It is seen as a key piece of evidence in understanding the government’s initial response to UFO sightings and the development of official investigation programs like Project Blue Book.
Document Archive
The Somewhat Lost Top Secret 1948 UFO Report: A Glimpse into America’s Early Encounter with the Unknown [32 Pages, 6.38MB]
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