The United States government has declassified four videos previously released by the Pentagon showing unexplained aerial phenomena, prompting British intelligence officials to urge a coordinated transatlantic investigation.
The footage, recorded by US Navy aircraft between 2004 and 2015, depicts objects exhibiting flight characteristics beyond known human technology. The videos were originally acknowledged by the Pentagon in 2017 and have now been formally declassified following a review by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
British officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, have expressed concern that the lack of a unified analytical framework between allies could impede understanding of the phenomena. One senior intelligence source described the videos as “strategically significant” and called for a joint working group under the Five Eyes intelligence alliance.
The Ministry of Defence declined to comment on specific intelligence matters but confirmed that it monitors unidentified aerial phenomena through its own protocols. A spokesperson said: “The UK takes all reports of potential threats to national security seriously. We are aware of the US declassification and will review the material appropriately.”
The videos known as “FLIR”, “GIMBAL”, “GOFAST”, and a fourth clip depict objects accelerating rapidly, hovering without visible means of propulsion, and rotating at angles that defy aerodynamic limits. The US government has not attributed the objects to any foreign power or natural phenomenon.
The declassification follows increasing Congressional pressure for transparency on the issue. In 2020, the Pentagon established the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force, and earlier this year the Office of the Director of National Intelligence published a limited report acknowledging 143 cases that remain unexplained.
Analysts note that the British call for joint analysis reflects a recognition that the phenomena are a multinational concern. Dr. Andrew Finkel, a former defence adviser, said: “If these objects represent advanced technology from a rival state, the implications for intelligence sharing are profound. If they are truly unknown, a coordinated scientific approach is essential.”
The development comes as NATO allies are increasingly sharing data on incursions by unidentified aircraft near sensitive military sites. British intelligence has tracked similar incidents over the North Sea and Baltic regions.
The Foreign Office has not issued a formal statement. However, diplomatic sources indicate that the matter is being treated with “serious but cautious interest”. Any joint analysis would likely be conducted under existing intelligence-sharing agreements rather than a new public body.
The declassification marks a significant shift in official transparency on a subject long relegated to tabloid speculation. The videos are now available on the Pentagon’s website alongside analytical notes. The British government has not indicated whether it will release its own footage.
