DISCLOSURE / FILE
The January 1953 Robertson Panel report and surrounding CIA correspondence, in which a panel of scientists convened by the CIA's Office of Scientific Intelligence concluded that UFOs posed no direct physical threat but recommended a public 'debunking' and training program.
CIA-UAP-002, Scientific Advisory Panel on Unidentified Flying Objects, Report, 1952-1953
The January 1953 Robertson Panel report and surrounding CIA correspondence, in which a panel of scientists convened by the CIA's Office of Scientific Intelligence concluded that UFOs posed no direct physical threat but recommended a public 'debunking' and training program.
In response to a request from the Assistant Director for Scientific Intelligence, a five-member Panel of Scientific Consultants chaired by H. P. Robertson met January 14-18, 1953 to evaluate any threat to national security posed by Unidentified Flying Objects. The Panel reviewed roughly 75 case histories selected by the Air Technical Intelligence Center and concluded that the evidence showed no indication that the phenomena were a direct physical threat, no residuum of cases attributable to foreign hostile artifacts, and no need to revise current scientific concepts. The Panel did find an indirect danger: continued reporting could clog channels of communication and cultivate a 'morbid national psychology' that hostile propaganda could exploit, and it recommended that national security agencies 'strip the Unidentified Flying Objects of the special status they have been given' through an integrated public education and training program. The results moved CIA to conclude, per IAC-D-67 dated 18 February 1953, that no National Security Council Intelligence Directive on the subject was warranted.
That the evidence presented on Unidentified Flying Objects shows no indicetion that theae phenomena constitute a direct physical threat to national security.p.8
the cul.tivatiO!l or a morbid national psyehologr in wtch skillful hostile propaganda could ~.nduce byaterieal behaviorp.9
i'ha.t the natianal security agencies tak~ immediate steps to strip the Unidentified F.'.cyu,.g ObJects of the special status tbey have been g-1ven and t.he i'.ura of nwstery they have unt'o1"'i.'1lD8tely acquired;p.9
The results of the panel's studies have moved CIA to conclude that no National Security Council Intelligence Directive on t his sub ject is warranted.p.14
In other words, the blrden of proot is on the sighter, not the explainer.p.24
What th97 did not find \188 m,y evidence that related the objecta eight.cl to spaoa travelers.p.20
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FEDERA CIVIL DEFENSE ADMINIST! iON • f WASHINGTON 25, D. C. OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR Mr . Richard . Dr in Secretary Intelligence dvisory Committee 2430 E Street, N . ashington 25, D . C . ear Mr . rain: e have carefully studied the report of the P n 1 of Scientific Consultant ■ on t e subject of "Unidentified Flying Objects , " which you eent this gency o arch 13 . The concl sions of the P nel nd its recommendation , p rticul rly in term• of public due tion, ar of con- i er ble interest in connection with the civil def ns program. appreciate your indicated willin e • to assist in implementing t e ppropriate aspects of the Panel' s report applicable to Civil Defense, nd suggest that conference be arranged for a full di c s aion of the subject on a mutu Uy ti factory dat . Sincerely~ Val P ter on 19 -
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z + BOX NO. ...J <( FOLDER NO. J!S/H t +75 I ~ <( a: C ACCESS RESTRICTED 4-~~ ( YJ DOCUMENT NO. ~ DATED I 7 JAt-l 53 HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN FROM THIS FILE AND IS LOCATED IN: w (.) - l- o t4-Toc~ R... c 1 A JoB No. :c 1 - - THIS ITEM HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN BECAUSE IT CONTAINS SECURITY ~ CLASSIFIED INFORMATION OR OTHERWISE RESTRICTED INFORMATION. 1 - z w ~ ::> (.) 0 C NATIONAL SECURITY ACT OF 1947 CIA ACT OF 1949 AS AMENDED AUTHORITY FORM 4409 8-90
Concatenated page-by-page transcript. Born-digital pages came through pdf.js; scanned pages were transcribed by Claude vision OCR. Pages marked unreadable failed multiple OCR retries (heavy redaction, microfilm artifacts, or blank separators) and are kept in place for audit.
l RG 263 CIA E Authority: FOLDER 9 D NND 917075 /0 .. ,I..
FEDERA CIVIL DEFENSE ADMINIST! iON • f WASHINGTON 25, D. C. OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR Mr . Richard . Dr in Secretary Intelligence dvisory Committee 2430 E Street, N . ashington 25, D . C . ear Mr . rain: e have carefully studied the report of the P n 1 of Scientific Consultant ■ on t e subject of "Unidentified Flying Objects , " which you eent this gency o arch 13 . The concl sions of the P nel nd its recommendation , p rticul rly in term• of public due tion, ar of con- i er ble interest in connection with the civil def ns program. appreciate your indicated willin e • to assist in implementing t e ppropriate aspects of the Panel' s report applicable to Civil Defense, nd suggest that conference be arranged for a full di c s aion of the subject on a mutu Uy ti factory dat . Sincerely~ Val P ter on 19 -
a SEGRE € Secup#y liNermation ; F 4 ree J ’ ss ren = . Li - 4 + * AJ 734 . LTet : GiLLES a ne) & yo Distribution: i abe srr nd one — Thtsaatorial contains. Information i ~ a] s effecting ‘a_national defense of LiL = Admin File the Gnited Statawith jet meaning ; “acs, 183 and 384, and triwemisston d + } wr rovelagen of which in any maeser te i weeuthorized person is prohibitet ay Secupry Mformation 100] G4
• • 13 rch 1953 The Honorable The Seer ta.ry of Defense Depart nt of Def nae Washington 25, D. Q. Dear Mr. Secretary: The Director of Central Intelligence has asked t you be furnished a copy of the attached report prepared by a 1.)SJlel of scientists on the subject of 11 Unid ntified Flying Objects," This panel was convened at the direction of General Smith, following the racommendation of the Intelligence Advisory Committee. The conclusions and recommendations may be of interest to you, in that they point out certain potential dangers to national security, which are related to the ubject and sUggest ways of their elimination . AJ.though this Agency does not consider problems arising from sightings o'f" "flying saucers" primarily its concern, ve shall be pleased to assist in any appropriate action that you may deem ad visable. Copies of this report are also being sent to the ..>efaga• and to the Chairman, ational Security Resources Board. incerely yours, RICHARD D. DRAIN Secretary Intelligence Advisory Co ittee Enclosure Distribution: Orig and 1 -- Dddressee l -- DCI 1 -- DD/I 1 -- Ad.min Files 1 -- AD/SI OIC:RDD:KR (13 March 1953)
• V 13 March 1953 The Honorable Val Peterson Administrator, Federal Civil Defense Administration 1930 Columbia Road, N. W. Washington, D. C. Dear Mr . Peterson: The Director of Central Intelligence has asked ilhat you be f'urnished a copy of the attached report prepared by a panel of scientists on the subject of "Unidentified Flying Objects." This panel was convened at the direction of General Smith, following the r•commendation of the Intelligence Advisory Committee. The conclusions and recommendations may be ot interest to you, in that they point out certain potential dangers to national security, which are related to the subject and suggest vaya of their elimination. Although this Agency does not consider problems arising from sightings of "flying saucers" primarily its concern, we shall be pleased to ass i st in aey appropriate action that you may deem ad visable. Copies of this report a.re also being sent to the Secretary of Defense and to the 6M1xm) ~:erM.eeal. See't:1'!'1~ :Res91.t"ce& Bomch - ' ~ f I • i$ , s a , W. ~!Z{y~o::,s . RICHARD D. DRAIN Secretary Intelligence Advisory Committee Enclosure Distribution: Orig and l -- Dddressee l -- DCI l. -- DD/I 1 -- Ad.min Files 1 -- AD/SI OIC:RDD:KR (13 March 1953) ••~rial contal::s Info c, n er to by!~~~ .. Sec~~ mation '/!ORM LETTERJ l2 March 1953 Mr. C. D. Jackeoo Special Aas1etant to the President Tbe White House Washington, D. C. Dear Mr. Jackson: Mr. Robert Amory, Jr., Assistant Deputy Director/Intel ligence, bas asked me to torvard to you tor your information the enclosed report "Report of the Scientific Panel on Unidentified Flying Objects", dated January 17, 1953 This report was prepared by a panel convened 1n January 1953 at the direction of the former Director or Centra.l Intelli gence, General Wal.ter B . Saith., with tbe concurrence ot the Intelligence Advisory C0U1111ttee Copies are being transmitted to tbe Secretar, of Defense; tb.e Director, Federal Civil Defense Administration; and the Chairman, National Security Resources Board. r Sincerely yours, RICHARD D. DRAIN Secretary J Intelligence Advisory Committee OIC:RDD:KR (12 March 1953) e C. ;, ':b::t> / r 0 S I
s ~ Secu~ ation One copy of the attached form letter aent to each of the following: Mr. Robert CUtler 224 Executive Office Building Mr . C. D. Jackson Special Assistant to the President The White House Mr. Jamee S . Lay Executive Secretary Nationa.l Security Council 302-A Executive Office Building Mr. George Morgan Psychological Strategy Board 7o8 Jackson Place Mr . Tracey Be.mes P ychological Strategy Board 708 Jackson Place
JAN 171953 PJ-!PCET OF THE SCIEN'l'IFIC PAUEL ON UNIDENTI1IED FLYlBG OBJECTS 1, Pw.·euant to the requeat of the Assistant Director tor Scientific Intelligence, the undersigned. Panel of Scientific Consultants haa met to evaluate any possible three.t to national security posed by Unidentified !'lying Cbjec:ts ("Flying Saucere"), and to make reconmendationt> thereon. The Panel has received. the evio.enee as presented. by cognizant inteL1i gence agencies, primarily the Air Technical InJ,elligence Center, and has revieved n selection of the beat documented incidents. 2. As a result of its considerations; the Panel concludes: a . That the evidence presented on Unidentified Flying Objects shows no indicetion that theae phenomena constitute a direct physical threat to national security. We firmly believe that there is no residuum o't cases vbich indicates phen0!112na whieh are attributable to foreign artifacts capable of hostile acts, and tb.e.t there ia no evidence that the phenOfllena indicate a n~ for the revis~.on of current scientilic concepts. The Psnel f\wther coneludes: a. ibat the continued emphasis on the reporting of these phenomena does, in these parlou.c, times, result. in e. m threat to the orderly functioning 0~ the protective organs of the body politic. We e:tte aa e~lee the eloggin~ of channels of' communice.tion by irrelevant reports, the danger of being lei. by continued false alarms to ignore real • S ~ ETE .. ~ T Secnr l ~ rmation ,, in~icationa of hostile action, and the cul.tivatiO!l or a morbid national psyehologr in wtch skillful hostile propaganda could ~.nduce byaterieal behavior ena. bal'lllf'u.l diet!"USt of duly constituted authority. 4. In order most effectively to otrcngtb.en the x:£.tional. facilities for the ti!Jlely recognition mid the appropriate handling of true indieationa of hostile action., and i;o minimize the conc01!11tant ciengers alluded to above, t':l.e Panel l"'eC01l!:?l;.?:lldB: a. i'ha.t the natianal security agencies tak~ immediate steps to strip the Unidentified F.'.cyu,.g ObJects of the special status tbey have been g-1ven and t.he i'.ura of nwstery they have unt'o1"'i.'1lD8tely acquired; b . That the national. security agencies 1.nstitute policies on intelligence, training, 6Ild public education designed to pr-ape.re the me;.;erj.al . defenses E.nd. the mcrale ot the country to recognize most px•omptly and t.o r-eact n\Ost effectively to true 1udicat.1cns ot hostile intent or action. We suggest uiat these aims may be at!hieved by an integr..--.ted program de6igned to reassure the public ot the totru. lack of evidence of inimical. torcee behind the phenomena, to tra:i.n persoonel to recognize &D.d reJect false indications quickly and efteetively, and to etrengthen regular channels tor the evaluation of and prompt reaction to true indications or hostile measures. / s/ Lloyd V. Berkner Associated Universities, Inc. &_B. P. Robertson , Chairman California. Institute of Technology /s/ s. A. Goudsmi't Brookhaven National laboratories LsL Luis W. Alvarez University of Ca11f'or-a1a Le/ 'Jhornton P~ obna Hopkins University s 'l' ro
. ' .., I 'rAB B SCDMIFIC ADVISORY PANEL ON lJNIDmTIFIF.D FLID!l OBJID?S 14 • 17 January 1953 EVIDlllCE mmooliD lo Sevent:y-f'i~e case histories or sightings 1951 - 1952 (seleCted b7 .&TIC as thoae beat documented). 2o ATIC Status and Progress Reports or Projoot GRDOOE and Project BWE BOOK (code namep to:r ATIC studT ot subject). 3. Progress Reports or .Project &'TORK (code name tor Battelle Manorial Institute contract work supporting A.TIC). 4o Sumnaey Report o£ Sightings at Holleman Air Force Base, Bev Me,d.ooo 5o Report ot USAF Res8CIX'Ch Center, Cambridge, Maas• ., Izwestigation of •Green Fireball" Fbencmena (Projeot TWIN!LE). 6. Outllno or Investigation or u.F.o.ea Proposed by nrtland Air Farce Be.se (.Proj oct FOUOOE) • 7 o Motion Picture Films of sightings at Tranonton 0 Utah, 2 July 1952 a1ld Oz-eat Falls, Montana, August 1950. s. Su.mm!u-7 Report ot 89 seloot&d cases ot sightings ot various categories (Formations, Blinking Lights, Hcmlring, etc.). 9. Draft of manna]! •How to l-i!ke a FL?OBRP.r-, irepared at ATmo 10., Chart Shoving Plot ot Geographic Location of Unexplained Sightings 1n the United States during 1952. 11. Chart Showing Balloon u,,inching Sites in the United St&teso 12. Charts Showing S(flected Actual Balloon Flight Paths and Relation t.o RGpOrted Sightings. 130 Charts Showing Frequency of Reports or Sightings, 1948 - 19520 14. Charts Sh°"1ing Categaries of .&tpl.anations or Sightings. 15. Kodachrome Tranape.renciea of Polyethylene Film Ba1l.ooms 1n Bright Sunlight Showing High Ref'lectivityo s~ Secm-~on
.. A , ' $ ~ Secur~ ~Mon TAB B 16. Motion picture ot seagulls 1D bright l!IIJDl:lght ahowillg high ref'lectirlty. l?o Intelligenoe Re~ Rel.ati,n,g to u.s.S.Ro Interest in 'U., S. Sighti?Jgs. 18. Samples ot OttioW us.a Re,porting Form and Copiea ot P~ Air FCXl'Ca, Arm:, and navy Orders Rela.t1Jlg to Subject. 190 Semple Pol.yeth:yle.ne • Pillow" Balloon (54 inches square) • 20. •variations 1n Radar Coverage•• J'AlfP 101 (tmiual illuetra.ting UJrWN&l oparating characterlstios of Service radar). 21. Mtecellaneous otficial letters and tareign 1ntelllgeno0 reports deal1ng with subject. 22. Oopi• of poi:w,ar published vorks dealing vith wbject (art!.oles 1n pc-iodicale, newspaper ollppi:ngs and booka).
' i ,. S ~ T - Secul- ~ t~OD TAB fl SCimrIFIC ADVISOR'V'. PANEL ON UNIDENrIFI&> FLYL~ OBJ&:TS 14 C l'/ January 1953 M;;,ems ORGAll;IU.TI0N L':t-; H. P. Ro~;i(Clla1t-D!n) Oalltornia Institute of T&.:lmology Dr., J.uis W. il'VU'Cl: - University ot Cal.Uonda Dr. I..1o,pd V. J3erktter Aosooiated Un:tver aitlesp Incto Brookhnven National. Iabcwratories otrioe of' Research Operations, Johns Hopkins Univ«t"sity J.SSOOIATEM1M3EUS Dr. J .. Allen ~ Ohio State Uni'IT8J:'1! sit7 Mro F.reclerick c. Durant Arthur D. Little• :me. lNTFBVIB:{¥ Brig. Geno lJUl:!om M. Garland l ,mm:mcUng General, ATIC Dr. B. Mu·shall Chadwell Aa3'.stant Director, o,~I, CIA Mt-. Ralph L. Clarlc Deputi J,oaistant Dir&)'i;or., 0/SI, CIA Fil!!U> OF COMPEl'nfPl Physics, ueapons systems Fhys1ca, radar Gc,ophyoica Atomic stl"Ucture, statiat.ic41 problana ~onom.,. Astro-, phrsios As'tronO!l\V Rockets• guided missiles Scientific and technical 1.o.telli gencs Scientific and technical intelli gence Scientific and technical intelll• gence .,\ • • I / TAB £. mwmwa Cpcm 0 :t) ll'-o fh1llp Go strong Capto &!ward Z. Ruppelt• USAF Mz- C> Io n.,.,. l"oarnet, Jro Lto R. S. "•sham, trSII @ABIZ.lTIOI f!WzROl'CO~ Chlet• Opeiraticms SclenU.f'io end Statt, 0/SI, CU teebntcal int.ell!• g~ Se1ct1fto am teabn1oal llltelll geDlle Chief, .lc-tal Plt_,..,111- SoienU.tto uad Branoh 1 .ttm, 1JSa taeJm1cal mtellJ- - 1- - The Ethyl Corporat!OA Aco lfl>go USS Photo~ Photo ~lltat!ma Uon t.borat.7• AnaooaUa mm Photo Intwprete- llt.oto tnterp.oetat.ton ts.on taboratA17' haeMt!a
Amory said when approved copies should be sent to 0 ~ . e ) S - ~ 'R~ S~ mation IAC-D-67 18 February 1953 INTELLIGENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS 1. Transmitted herewith is a copy of the report (Tab A) of the scientific panel convened as a result of the action taken by the Intelligence Advisory Committee on 4 December (IAC-M- 90, paragraph 3A) on this subj ect. Attached ·to the report are a sunma.ry of evi dence presented (Tab B) and a l i st of the personnel participating (Tab C). 2 . It is proposed to t r ansmit copies of this report to the Secretary of Defense; the Director, Federal Civil Defense Adminis tration; and the Chairman, National Security Resources Board for their information and such action as they may f eel neces sary. 3. The results of the panel's studies have moved CIA to conclude that no National Security Council Intelligence Directive on t his sub ject is warranted. 4. Please inform the undersigned by 25 February 1953 if you do not concur in the action and conclusions conta ined in paragraphs 2 and 3, above. JAMES Q. REBER Secret a ry Mrs . Powell called 24 Feb and said that Mr . __.:,:g.r.._release to those mentioned in paragraph 2 , 'ic() ,~ ( Mr .~tler - ~62•/ ~-r ~;.,,._ BJ. '1' Mr! lay ~ C. °3 0 (J ~~~ ~~ H-jJ. • u...., f-- l dJ C. D. Jackson w..t..:..G. If ~ I Tracey Barnes ~o t/P '-1(_. George Morgan ,,__ ,,,,½! ~ ?,5 tJ 5~,r 1 oty l<' ,..[~ ,___; f}. v
0 I ' REPORT OF MEEl'IOOS OF SCIENrIFIC ADVISORY P.A.BEL ON UNIDEmll"IED FLYOO OB.JmTS CONVI!mD BY OFFICE OF SCIOOIFlC MELLIGOOE• CIA J~ 14 • 18, 1953 . F. Co DllRANT
IRDEI: !Ka • Parpose 1 Part Ia Bistor., of Meetings ot Panel 1 Part IIa COU11110Uts and SOggestiona or Panel 7 Gensral ? On 14ck ot Danger 8 Artifacts or Ex:traterrestial Origin lO Tremonton, Utah, SightiJ?g ll Geog:raph1o locations ot Unezpl.ain0d Air Farce Reportag Syatc 9 Potential Related Dmlgers 15 Sightings 1S Instrumentation to' Obtain Data 16 Radar Problem of 1'htual !ntert'GNmee l8 Repcrt ot Panel Tab A l4at of Personnel Concerned with MeetJ.Dga Tab B 11nmcplained Cosmic Rq fherM111B119, 19 Fdueatioml. Program 19 Unofficial Investigatirlg Groups 23 Increase in Dmabar ~t Sighting• 24 LI.~ or Docsummtor7 Eddence Presented Tab C
PART 111 20J:1MPT§ MP suoowrro?§ or P.yp;, Gl8@1AL Th$ Panel Manbers v.-e impressed (u have been others, imlud mg 0/SI personnel)- in the lack or aoum data 1n the great mjari.t7 of case histarles1 also, in the lack ot s~ tollow-up due prinariq to the lDDdest size ·and llm.1.ted tacillties ot the ATJ.'C section concernedo .Am!>ng th'e case histariee ot aicUficant s1ghtines discussed in detail were the tollow1nga Belletontaine, Ohio (1 Aueust 1952) 1 Tremonton, Utah (2 July 1952h Great tans,; Montana (15 August 1950) •· taat, Montana (1 September 1952h W~n, D. c. area· (19 July 1952) J and Haneda A.F.B., Japan· (5 August 1952), Part Huron, Michigan (29 J~ 1952) J and Presque Isle, Mdne (10 Ootobc- 1952). After review am d1acuas1on ot these caau (am about 15 oth~s, in leas detail), the Panel concluded that reasonable a:plamtiona could be suggested tor most sightings and •by deduction and eciantitic method it, could be induced (giv-en additional data) that other eases might be explained 1n a similar snner". The Panel pointed out that because or the brevity- o.r same sightings· (e.g. 2-3 seconds) and the inability ot the vitnesses to eaqreae themselves elear~ (sEIDBDtics) · that conclusive axplanatiomt oould not be expected far ev~ case reported. P'urtharmore, it was considered that, normally, it vould be a great vaste ot effort to trr to solve moat or the sightings, unless such action would benefit a training and educational program (see belov). The writings or Charles Fort vere referenced to show
• ~tion . tba't •st.-rege things 1n the sky" had been recorded for hundreds ot ,-ra. It appared obvious that thare va.s no aingle explanat1Gr1 tar a majority ot the thiDgs seen. The pr-esence ot radar am astro nomical spac1alists on the Panel iroved ot ftlne at once in their oont'idant recogmtion ot fhenomem. related to their field.so It~ apparent that spec1allsta 1n such additional. .fields Q P870holoa. meteoroloa, cueodyna:mics, arnithology and mUitary air oparationa vould ez.te:na the abilit)r· o~ the Panel to roe~• any mare oate gortee ot lit~Jmown }menomen&o ON WI 91 poom The~ concluded unan1no\S~ that there was no evidence~ a direct threat to national.secur1t71n the objects sighted• . Instances of "Foo Fighters" were cited. These vere unexpls1nad. ph~ena siehted by ab-~ pilots during.• ~orld War II 1n both European am Far East theaters or operation warein •be.lls ~ light• vould fly near ar with the aircraft am ?1BMUVer rapidl.)r. They vere believed i;o be eleotro;tatie (~imUr,r to Sto Elmo's tire) or electro magnetic phenanena ar possibq light retlections .trom ice arystal.a in the air, but their exact cause ~ nature ws Dft'C' defined. Both Robertson and Alvarez had been concerned in the investigation of tbese phenomma, wt David T. Griggs (Professor ot Geophysics at the Universit:, ot California at !Qs Angeles) is believed to have been the most knowledgeable person on this aubjecto If tlle term •ny1ng saucers" had been poiW41" 1n 1943 • 1945, these objects would SE~ s~~ion -s -
s~ Secul'i~tion have been ao labeled. It was 1nt;eresting that in at least two oaaQS revi«-1~ that the object sighted was categorized by Robert8011 and Al.var'9z as probe.bl ¥ "Foo Pighters" , to date unexplained bat. not dangerou&J th.417 were not hapw thus to d1am1ss the. sightings b:, calling them names. It vas their teeliDg that these phenomiena are not beyond t.be domain ot present lcnffllledge ot phyaical science• hOIIGV8l'o ,m llJCE Rμ,cmm smm . . It vu the Panel 0 s oplnion that BOGG ot the Air Poree concern over u.f.o. •a (notwithstanding A1r Defense Ccnnand amdeey r.nor tut radar tracks) was irobe.b~ caused by public iressure-. The re8Ult · today.is that the Air Force has 1.mitituted a tine channel far receiving reports of near~ anythiDg anyone sees in the sky and tails to umarstand. This has been particular~ encouraged 11'1 po~ lar articles on this and other subjects, such as apace travel and science f'iction. The result is the maSB recetpt ot low-grade reports which tem to overload channels or Offll'l!Dln1~t1oi-i with material quite f.n-elevant to hostile objects that. might eome day appeBr. The Panel agreed gener-~ that this mass . ot pom'l-qUallty reports containing little, if any-, scientific data was ot no value. Quite the opposite, it was possib~ dangerous in having a m.Uitaey Hl"Vice foster public concern in "nocturnal mea.maring lights• . The implication being, since the ~e:rested agency was military, that these objects were ar might be potential direct threats to national security. Aocard .tngq, the need far deamphasization made ltsel.£ apparent. Ccmiments on a possible 8'illoational _ JXL:ogrqt are 8l'lllm8l"&ted below.
It was the opinion ot Dr. Robertson that the •saueor" problem ha4 been toum. to be dittarent in nature rrcm the detection and investigation ot German v-1 am V-2 guided missUos prior tQ their operational uae 1n World War n. In this 1943-1944 intelligence operation (CR~BOW), there vas excellent ~olligence and bf June 1944 there was material evidence ot the mstence ot •hardware" obtainttd fl-oll.l crashed vehicles in Sweden. Thia evidence gave the 1mr•st1eat~ team a basis upon which to operate. The absence ot BDT •hardt.Jare" resulting rrom unexpla1ned u.r.o. sightings l~s a "will ot-the wiap) mtur.e to the ATIC problem. The results ot their 1.nvoot1 - gation, to date; strongly indicate that no evidence or hostile act or danger md;.ata. ~hermore, the current reporting syst(D vould . . have little value in the case of detection ot 8Dal\1 attack b7 oormm - 11 tional a1rcraf't or guided missiles; unda'l" such conditions •~ voul.d be available almost at once. ARTIFACTS or Jq'l'RATmRfflIAL CRlGJJi It was 1ntarestirlg to note t~t none or the members ot the Panel,.... loath ~ accept that this earth might be visited by extra terrestrial intelligent beings or some sort, some day. What th97 did not find \188 m,y evidence that related the objecta eight.cl to spaoa travelers. Mr. Fournet, 1D hie presentation, shoved hov he bad elim inated each ot the known eJX1 probable causes of sightings leaving him •extra,.terreatial• as the only one remaining in~ cases~ Fournat 0 s background as an aeronautical engineer and technical in'c,elllgenco
officer (Project Of'f'icer, BIDFl300K f~ 15 months) could not ba allghtedo However, the Panel could ?)Ot accept a:ar of' the oases sighted by' him because they vare raw, unsv~uated reports. Terrestrial explanations ot the aighti.Jlga were suggested in. sane cas~ and in others the time ot sighting was so short as tp cause SWtpieion of visual im.pl-essions. It - was noted by Dr. Goudamit and. ' . othara that extraterrestrial artitacts, U' they did extat11 are no· cause for a.larmJ rather, they are in the realm ot natural phenomena subject to eoientitic stu~, just as co=ic ~ were at the time ot th~ disc;ovel'7 20 to_ 30 yosrs ago. This ims an atti~ude 1n ~ch Dr. Robertson did not concur, as he felt that such artif'acts would be ot 1mn81liate am great concern mt only to the u. s. hit to all countries. (Nothing l1ke a comnon threat to unita peoples!) Dr. Page noted that present astronanical lmowladge ot the solar l system makes the mstence of intel.llgent beings (as we know the tc-m) elsewhere th,an on the earth extremely un11ke~, and the ooncentration of their •ttention by 8117 controllable means confined to auy one continent ot the earth quite preposterous. 1'ROODTON. OTAR, SIGRrDO Thia case was considered signif'icant because ot the ax,ellant document&r7 erldence 1n the torm ot lndacbrome motion picture films (abottt 1600 framu). The Panel studied these tllma, the case h18tor7, ATIC 1 a interpret.at.ton, and received a 1:rief'ing b7 repreaentat.1ves ot the USN :Photo Interpretation le.boratory on their ~is of the film. Thia team had expended (at .A1r Force request) approxim~
1()00 man.-hours ot professional and sub-proteasional time 1n the preparation of graph pl.Qts ot 1ndividu&l frames ot the tUm, ahaw i!Jg apparent and relative motion ot objects and variation 1n their light !ntenait;r. It was the opiDion ot the P.I.L. representatives that the o~jects sighted vere not birds, balloons or aircraft• vere •~ .retlections ~e there was no bl.1nking vhUe ):&asing through &J 0 • ot &rd' and w.-e, ther~tore, 11 MU'~lum1.nous". Plots ot motion om variation 1n light intensity ot the objects vare die p~. While the Panel Members were impressed b;v th~ evident en~ imustry a!!d extent of etf~ ot the P.I.L• .team_ they could not accept the conolusions reached. · Same or the reuona tor thia vere as tollws1 &o A aami-apharical obj~t can reed1'q troduce a rof'leotion ot sunlight without "blinldng" through t,oo of arc travel. bo Although no data was available on the "albedo" ot birds er po~lene halJoona 1n bright aunlight, the apParent motions, ai,;e■ and 'brlghtnesaes ot the objects ware considered strong~ to suggest birds, psrticularq attar the Panel viewed a abort film showing high ref'l.ectiut7 0, seagulls 1n bright 8UDlight. o. P.I.L. description of the objects sighted as •c!rcular• bluish-white" in color would be expectad 1n cases of apecular reflections ot sunl 1ght trcm convez surtaoes vhere the lrilliance of the retleotlon vould obscsure other portions of the object.
.d. Object• 1n the Great 1'alla case vare 1»lieved to b&Ye probably bein ~, am th• brlght lights nch Ntleotiona. e. Th.re vae no ft.lid reason tor the attempt to relate the object. 1n the Tremonton eightillg to those 1n t.he Great Falla a1ght - 1ng. rue mq have been due to m1sumcstam1ng in their ~active. The objects 1n the Great Falla eightblg are atrongq auspectec1 ot being ret1ect1ona ot a1rcrllft Jmown to have been :bi the area. to The intensity change ~ the TNmoJiton lights vu too g.t tar ~~e of tho P:I.L. bypothesia ~t the appaNDt motion Md changing intensity ot the lights mlicated utr~ high speed in small orbital i:atha. g. Apparent lack ot guidance or investigators b;1 thoee tam131ar 'With u.F.o. reports am axplanatiom,. h. ~is ot light 1ntensi't7 ot objects made tram dupl.1cate rather than arig1.ml. film. The or1g1nal t1lm vaa noted to ha.Te a 1IIIOh lighter background (atf'ectiilg •relat1w brightnaa of object) and ·th• objocta appeared ?DW?h leas bright.. 1. Method or obtaining data ot light intensity appeared raul.ty bacause of unauitabilit7 of equipnent and questionable assumptions 1n maJdng av.rages ot readi:ngs. j. Ro data had bean obtained on the senait1v1t7 ot Xodac!n-ome film to light ot various intensities usillg the·same Ceiiili& type a.t the aame lans openiJJgs.
ko Hom •jitter" trequencia (obtaimble !rClll earq part ot Tremonton t:tlm) vere not removed from the plota ot the •111ng1e paaa plots" at the end or the tUm. The Panel beliend atro~ that the data aailable on th1• •ighting as eutticient tor positive idantitioation it further data 1a obtaiDed b7 ~otograpbing poqeth7lane •pillow" balloona released near the eite ullder o1m1lar weather condition■, checldng bSN fliaht. and Nf'hotion charactaristlo• vith competent arm.tholcciata am calculatblg apparent •a- forces a~ upon objects from their apparent trackao It vas coneludod that the resul.ta ot auch tests vould prob ably lead to ereditable explanationa or value in an educational ar tra1nbJg programo lloweYer, the Panel noted that the coat 1n teohldoal manpow8l" etrort :required to tollcN up and ·exp1a1n every ane ot the thousand or more reports received through channel.I eaoh JNr' {1,900 in 1952) could not be justitied. It was telt that there will alvaye be sightings, tor which complete data 1a lacldng, that can o~ be explained with disproportionate effort and with a lC"11g time delq, U at allo The lcmg de~ 1n expla1Jdng a sighting tenda to eliminate any intelllg~e ftl.ue. The educational or training program ehoul4 haTe u a J1Bjor purpose the elimination ot popular reeling that •••7 a1ghtii2g, no matter how poor the data, must be explained in detailo Attention should be directed to the requirement amo!lg scientists that a nw phenomena, to be accepted, mast be complete~ am comimini~ documented. In other words, the blrden of proot is on the sighter, not the explainer.m.tmtJtL I\IYTU, ·ppp.ffl§ 'l'be Panel Mambar-e vm-e 1n agreament vlth 0/SI op1n1.on that, although evidence ot any dh-ect t.broat tltaa th a sightings vu vho~ laelf!ng, Nlated daz]gc-a Jldgbt veil ecdllt ruul.Ung trcaa •• M:181dentit1caUon ot actual 8Dal\V' artitaets b.r datanse personnel. ho ~erload1• ot emargeDC7 report1ng ehannela w1th •tal.w intOl'llll!Ltion ("no1ae to signal ratio" analao--Bc-kntr)o 0o Subject1vit,' ot piblto to mas• ~at.ria _ and grreate vu]... IIGl"abili~ to PQSsible ~ P87Cholog1oal. VU'tare. ' ~tJiough nOt the concern of CIA, the t11'8't two ot those probled . . may smouaq atteet the Air n.teruse 1ntel.l.fgenee state, ml ahoa14 be studied by u:perta, poasibJ.lr unde" ADC. It u.r.o.•11 became 41.,.. credited 1Ji a reaction to the " t:cy!.ng aa.uc..- aoare, or it report-.. ing channels are saturated with tal.se am poor~ documente4 report■, oui- oapability of detecting hostile act1vi't7 will be reduced. Dr I> Page noted that mare campetent, screening or tilter!JJg ot reported aightinge at or near the source 1e required, and that thie can beat be acccmpliahtkl b7 an educational program. GGRAPHl'C JLCATIQNS Ql 01n4P1f\WD smmng The map prepared by ATIO llhOlling geograpbic looatiou ot otticialq reported unexpla1ned sigbtillga (1952 onl.7) was aandned bJ' the Panel. Thia •P showed ol\llJtera 1n certain strategic areas such as Los ~ Thia might be a:plained on the basis of 21.--haur vatchtul guard an4avareneaa ~security-measures naar such loeiationa. On the other hand, tbare had bean no sightings 1n the nc~t;y ot Nn81t!:ve related AE establishments while there were oocaa1o~ multiple cases ot ~ sightings in DOD-Btrategic aNUo Furtharmore, there ~~ed. to be no logical relat1onsh1p to population ffDters. The ftmel coald t1m no road1' ezplamtion tar these oluatera. It waa noted, hOW8'9'm", that if ten-est.rial artitacta were to be o?:laarved it vould be~ that the;y would be seen first near tortdgn areu rathm- than c.entral U. s. IN§TRUMF1fl'ATION TO OBTAIN DATA The Panel ,nuJ or the opinion that the present ATIO program to pl.ace 100 inaxponsiva 35 m. stereo camaras in the hams ot various airport control tower operators would rrobabl3 produce little ftlu abl.e data related to u.r.o. •a. However, it vas recogniged that such action would tend to al.lq public concern 1n the subjeot until • an educational p:-ogram h$.d taken ef'fect. It vu believed that pro curement of those c«meru was part~ the result ot public pr-assure 1n July 1952. With the poor results of the ;year-long Project 1\IDXLE prograti1 of 24-hour inatrumentation watch ( two tramee ot tilm ahowing nothing distinguishable), a widespread in-ocram ot ft1 - watch1ng would not be a.pected to yield much 'direct data ot value. Thore was conaiderable discussion of a posaible •aJo- patrol• by amateur astronomers (Hynek) and by vide-engle oamaraa (Page). Dr. Page and Dr. Robertson pointed out that at present a considerable tn.cttoil
ot the aq 1a DOIi~ bu been tor 1IBJO' 7ea.r1 1>ndar aurvta:Ulanc~ .Her7 clear n!eht 1n enaral. metear am aurora obaarv~ programs u VGl.1 as aq app112g pz-ograms at tho varioua. locations listed belov. Al.th°'¢ the attention ot those aatronomera is large~ direct~ toward 1dentif'ied rather than unidentified objects. no case ot an;, strild.ng unidentified. object 1a lmown to Dr. Page ar Dr. lf1nek. Such an object vou1d moat certo.t~ be reported if found on patZ'ol plates. , .l caae was cited where an aat.ronomm- retuaod to 1nterr:,ipt h18 exposure 1n order to photograph an alleged s1ghtin8 1n a dittarent part or·the sq. Thie led Dr. Hynek to say that, it a program ot watohmg_could be an adjunct ot planned astronomical programs, little ooirb vou1d be involved and that the trained astronomical personnel mtght •Ji,lotograph·a sighting at o.n unidM1titied object. The locaiion ot some ot theae programs and their directm-11 are believed to be: a. Huverd Un1v~sit1', Cambridge am Nw Maxico· (mateor patrol) Whippleo bo Yerkes Obeenat01'7, University ot ·Ch1cago and l'ort De.Tie,. Ten.a . . (several progi-.me)-Meinel (auroras)~ Kuiper '(astero1de) 9 Morgan (wide angle camera). c,. University or Alaska, Fairbanks (aurorae)-,.El"lfey d. Dominion Observatory, Ottava (m.eteors)-Milhla.,:i e. Palomar Observa.t017, Calit"ornia (sky- map)'-!'4Mink~sld. f. ·Lick Observatory, Calif'ornia (sky map)-sbane
- ~t!o,, It was agreed b;y the Panel that no £0Verment..-aponaare4 prograa ot optical mt1o!Mdde sq patrol 1a warthvhile at the )rGSeDt time, and ~t. the encOQNgemont ot emateur utronomm-a to undertab euah a p-ograa m1cht haYe the adTaree etteot ~ ov~a1111JJg •~ asucar" stories 1n the public mindo Bovevar, the 1-aue ot redm- 1 eoope cameras tor recording pecnl1ar radar echoes vould Mrft MVeral pu po..., 1nclW;U.ng the better umaratondt~ ot radar interference u vall .. 1dent1tioat1on ot u.r.o.••. WAR fflOBμJ- r OF tm'UAL mw:mm;,; Thia oharaotariat1c probl.an ot radar operation whei-ein the pulae a1gml. (~ apprc,x;!Date~ the same trequam,.) frOlll station A~ be pickecl up on ~e screen ot station Band show aa a bt.gh,-epeed track ar aaries ot dote was recogn!zed to have JS"Obabl1' cauaecl a 'IJTlberr ot u.r.o. reports. Thia problem vas underlined b,- 1ntormat1on received 1nclicatb)g AOO concern 1n aolVing this problem ot signal 1dentit1oat1on betare 119"1ce uao . ot Vfll7 h!gh-epeed a1.rcratt ar guided mtasiln (1955-1956). Dr. Ba-1mc- believed that one auw.- to tb1a problaa VU the UN ot a ■4opp1ar tilter" 1n the Z'eCeiTing (W'CUlt. Jlr • il~ suggested that the problem might be better aolYed b,- the UN ot a •oontrolled jitter" vbereJ.n the operator receinng •ffr7 fut traob" (on the order ot 1000- 10.000 a.p.h.) voald op.rate a oU'OUit vbioh VGU1d alter allaht~ h1a atatton•• puae .treqUGC7 rate. It the aigm] NOe1.ved on the aareen had been caused ~ mrt.llal 1Dtel"terenoe "1th another station, the track voald mw show ita.U at. a dittereat distance
frCIIII the oantar ot the acrND, if it st.ill. appeaNd. at all. Dr. Al~es ~elt nob a technical solution vaa simpler am would coat much lees than a •4opp1er filter'. Jm§lffAml!D CQ§MIC RAY ffimQMl{A Two reported ca.ees l-1ere exatninEds one at Palomar· Mauntain, Ca11tarn1&, 1n October 1949, when cosmic ray counters went •ott scale for a tw •econda", apparGZlt.ly while a •V" of fqing saucers w.e ob88l"Ved 1'1.sual~J and~• a aeries ot obaervationa b7 the •1oa Alu,os Bird WatchC'a Association" from August 1950 \Q January 1951. when cosmic ray coincidence counters behaved queer~. C.1rcuit diagrams and records were available tor the l.att.., and. Dr. Alvarez wa able qu1ckl3 to point out that the recorded data were ·undoubtedly due to instrumental ertects that would have been recognized ae such by more experienced observers. The implication that 'radioactive ef'tects were correlated With unidentified t:cy'1ng objects 1D these tvo cases vu, theref'ore, rejected by the Panel. IJOOATIOHAL lROORAM The Pnne1 1 s concept ot a broad edueatio?lal pr-ogram 1ntegrat12Jg efforts o tall concernoo aeenciee uaa that 1 t should have two ma.for dmaa tratn1ng and "dehmldng" o The tra1n:tng aim would result in propar recognition of iumaalq llluniiMlted ~bjects (e.g., balloons, aireraf't retlections) as well u mtural phenomena (meteors, fireballs, mirages, noctU.ucent clouds). Both visual am radar recognition are concerned. There would be ma.u;ylevele in 8UCh -4ucation from enlisted personnel to COllll8m and research parsomiel. Relative ~1• am degree ot explanation ~ ditterent programs WOl1ld 001Teaponi to the categories ot dut7 (e_,g., radar operatoraJ pilotaJ oontrol tower operators; Groun4 Observer Corpe personnal.J am otticars and enlisted men in other categar!.ea.) Th18 tra1n!ng should r~t 1n a marked reduction in reports caused by m1sidentit1cat1on end renltant oanf\\td.mo The '\lebrnktns" a.1m vould result in rednction in public interest in •t1y111g saucers• which toc:1ay evokes a strong J)B1Chological reactiono This edueat~on could be acc!'J!IPlished b.Y Jm1BS mecUa such as tal.et1.aion, ~on pictures,~ pop.uar artiol'.es . Buie or such education wauld be actual oaae hiatar'iea which had been pizzliDg at ~at bit later m:pla1ned. As 1n the case or conjurlng tricks, there is moch leu etJmn)a:t1on 1f the • eacret" is known. Such a program should tend to reduce the current gullibllit;y or tho piblic am consequentq their auceptib1lit7 to clever hostile propaganda. The .Panel noted that the general a~.of Rusa1an pt"Opaganda based on a subject with so naav obvious poae1hU1t1ea tor 81tplo1ta~on ~ght 1nd1cate a ~"Saible Russian ott1c1al policy. 1-bm."8 or the Panel .had variows auggestiou related to the plan nbg ot 8UOh an educational program. It was felt strongq that peyehologists fandltar vith ma.ea psychology should advise on the nature and extent ot the programo In this connection, Dro Hadlq Cantril (Princeton Um.varsity) \188 suggested. Cantril authored "Invaaion tram
Mira"• ·(a •~ 1n tho J)Gl'Choloa ot panic II written about the ramoua Orson Walles radio broadcast 1n 19~8) and baa aiDDe partormed advamed labcratclr7 studies 1n the f'ield of perception. The names ot Don Marquis (Un1versit7 ot Mlcbigan) am Lao Rosten ware mentioned aa posaibq IN1table aa consultant P91Vhologiata. Also, somaona t'az,U:far with _,.,, 6Qliii1Dd.cat1on techniques, perhaps an ad'lm-tising expert;, vould be helpful. Arthur ~87 was JD8Utj.oned aa poasib4' a valuable channel of earmamtr..ation rea.ching·a mass ·sudience ot certain levels. Dr. Bm-~ suggested the- U. s. Navy (OliR) Special Devices Center, Sama Point, Lo I., as a potmrt.1al.q valuable argan:1zat1cm to uaist 1n such an ~tioml program• . The tescb1ng teclm1quos used by this ageDC7 ror ah-craft identification during the JBSt 'War was cited as an aample or a s1m1lar educational task. The Jam Handy Co. which made World War n tra1D1ng t1lms (motion picture am ·slide strips) was al.Bo suggested, as·well as Walt DianG",Y, Inc. animated cartoon.!I. Dr. Hynek euggested that the anateur ut,ronomara 1n the u. s. might be a potential source of enthusi• aatic talent "to spl"ead the gospel•. It was believed that busin8aa clubs, high achools, colleges, and telme:f.on stationa would all be pleased to cooperate 1n the showing o\:" d0%Nmentar,' type mtion pictures if' prepared in an interesting mmmer. The uae ot true cases shO'ldng tirst the "mystery' am then the "explnnation• would ba forcetulo To plan am emcute such a pr-ogra,. the Panel believed was no mean task. The current· investigatory r,:-oup at ATIC would, ot necessity, have to be cloa~ intear&ted tor supp,n-t with respect to not only the
J ' • historical. cases l:nt the current ones.. Racent easos aro probab.q much more susoeptible to cplamtion than old~ one:if first, becauso ot ATICes a:xparience and, secofld4r, their knowledge or most plausible explanat1o!2Do The Pam,l beliared that some oxpinsion ot the ATIC ett01~ 'tl0Ul.d certainl:y be required to supper~~ such a program. It ws.s beliwad 1napμro),.u"':2Ate 'tO state exactly hov large a Tablo or Organization would be raquired. Captain Ruppalt ot ATIC unofficially vroposed, tar purpcmoa ~r anal~ing and w41uat1ng reports• ao An analysts 0 pmel qf !'our officers ~~ 1'our offi:c.r 1me!lt.igators c. A briei'ing officer de. An Am liaison oftieor eo. A voa.thar· am bfllloon data oi'f'icar t. An astronomical. consultant g.: A Group Loo.der, with adrn1uist:t-ative assistant, r11o clerks nm. stenographers. Thie proposal 1!18t with general..4" f'o.vorable oomnent. The Panel bellwoo. that, with ATICGs support, the educational program ot •train ing and deblnld.ng " outlinad above mght be required fer a m.mI1l1ll or one and one-half to two years.. At tha md of thin tim, the d&ngerc: related to "1".l.ying sauewa• should have been great~ reduced if not .,Jim:lna.ted. Coopm-ation from other military ae:-vices and agencies concerned (e.g., Federal Cirll. Defense At,"m1n:letrat1on) wuld be a necessityo In investigating significant cases (such as the Tremonton 0 Utah, sighting);i controlled e,::perimonts might be required. An example # c -r Sacur 7 Inf on :..'"h
vould be the pbatogralidng ot •p111c,., ball~ at di1'terent distances wd.er ,1Jdlar v•ther condiUou at the aiteo The help ot one ar two payohologists and writers and a subcontractor to p-oduce training films 1.1ould be nacea~ 1n addition~ file Panel oons1der8:(1 that ATIC• e ettorto, tanpcaarily expanded as necesaa!'7, . ~ , . , . ~ be most useful 1n implementing ::m;v act-ion taken as a result ot its recom:,ervla+.ions. !lq>erlonce and records 1n ATIC \1culd be ot value 1n both the piblic educational and Nl"Vice train121g program envisaged. Dr. Robertson at least was ot the oplnion that after public gullibility lessened and the service crganizationa, such as Aro, had been trained to itUt out the more readily explained spurious sightings, there would still be a role tor a very J!lOdest-aized ATlC section to cope tlitb the retdduum ot: items ot possible scientif'ic intelligence value. Thia section should concentrate on energetical.q f'ollowiJJg up (perhaps on the advice of quallt1ed A1r Farce Scientific Advisory Board members) those cases which seemed to indicate tba evidence ot unconventional enem;r artifacts. Reports ot such artifacts would be •expected to arise main~ from Western outposts in tar closer prox:f.mity to the Iron Curtain than Iubbock, Taali_ l Plf0Ff1PI♦1: :mygpxm GR9JZPS The Panel toek cognizance ot the adstence ot such groups as the • "C1v1U■n Flying Saucer Investigators" (Ios AJ,geles) and the "Aerrial Fhenmena Research Organimtion (Wisconsin)'o It vas believed that such organizations should be vatched because ot their potenti~
• t ' ' ~.~~ + Seaun ~~on / gr,~-e 1ut'luence on -.as thinld-ag if' wide~ea.d sightizieu should oc~o The t:.ppsrent 1ffeapon111b1llt7 am the possible uaa ~f BU3h group, for su.~rereive purposes should be~ in mimo DAWF, m wmm ot.,sm1rim~ Tht1t oonsensus of the Panel vaa, based upos2 the hiBtol"Y uf tJ.1" subjarit,, that t..he number 01· eightings oould be I'~~ expe~ f, B D..URAtit 111
ACCESS RESTRICTED DOCUMENT NO. 4-o C) / ~ 5 DATED ,, FU .53 HAS BEEN W ITHDRAWN FROM THIS FILE AND IS LOCATED IN: w u - t - c1A JOB No. 84-TooU<oR. o z BOX NO. 4 - ...J FOLDER NO. ffS/uC 1-75 ~ (to) I ~ ~ a: C J: t - - THIS ITEM HAS BEEN W ITHDRAWN BECAUSE IT CONTAINS SECURITY ~ CLASSIFIED INFORMATION OR OTHERWISE RESTRICTED INFORMATION. t z w ~ :::, u 0 C NATIONAL SECURITY ACT OF 1947 CIA ACT OF 1949 AS AMENDED AUTHORITY
,j 1 £ fl,- 3 - 3?7 1 a :..Ju~-::;~ ~ ~- ,, - .. • ~/ .J (J.,~IA,) RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD ✓ 0 . 0 WASHINGTON 25, D . C. Dear Ur. Becker, Confirming our brief conversation in the hall the other day, I enclose a memorandum from General .iaxwell on the subject. W e will advise y ou when we receive the report referred to in this memo. Sincerely-, S/Walter G. Wh,itman lTALTTo'-R G • IHI T1Wf Chairman Enclosure (1) Ur. Loftus E. Becker Deputy D rector for Intelligence Central Intelligence Agency 2430 E Street, N.W . W ashington 25, D. C. (This document 1181' be declassified upon removal of Confidential Attachment.) ~ e j_,n HAS NO !'J~cGT!ON TO THE PECt.ASS, CATION OF THIS OOGUMENf AUTHOR'TY· f-ln ; '1£\llEWE 1.0233761 • 1 ,jUJl ?I ){r l C• E.lf-3- 3 '1?1 . I RESEARCH ANO 0£VfWPMfNT BOARD WASHINGTON 25, 0. C . 4 IJovEl!lber l.952 . ~:rZ~·.~rm~ ,. m CRA1RUAN., mm c{' SO'BJEDT 1 ?adar Phantoms if (rr> . 1.. At our conference hero t.he othsr dq moth Ur. Decker., Iifr.Clark: ar:d General. Slmf'ord• it 'aa8 agreed tllllt '1f8 "\'10lil.d evaluat.o the radar phantoms i'rom tho viowpoint or the aeriOUBness of the problem to tbs r Jef ense CC'Ql'l3Xd. 2. Inquiries made to tho appropriate sectious of the Air Starr did not disclose attr undue concern ovor the phantoms. I beliovo that this is because in war and in pe~ce the problem of j.dontif'ying the wst number of aircra.rt tracks seen by tho Mr Defense radars is a con.fu.-;ing !actor or nucb groator magnitude. Bo'1ever., to ma.l{o aure that 'l7e are not ovel"-: lookine aa;y important considerations, tho JJ.r Force has asked the Mr fense c~ to study this PfOblcm and make roocmnondat1.ans. 3. ['hi£, then, iu an interim report to you, because it ma7 be saveral. 11eeka beforo the ansTror arrives fr<S tbo M.r Defense -Colm:Ja.rJ1. 4 . Natural.17 there 1o general. concern tibout the radar phantom am tho J.areer problem of the fl¥-i.ng saucers becaw:Je \'l8 are unable to expbin a sizeable percentage of tbe reports. Bcuevor, the concensua seems to :be that a great doal. 0£ n.ctivity Dnd utudy is going on in this field whi.ch r.ill do much to ~ the sitw:rt:lon. Tho subject of miomalous rad4r propQgation ms !bean mrior study tor same t1mG and will continue with appropriate aqpbasis. ?he Air Technical. IntelJ.ieence CG:nter, mu:ch anal.yzes "saucer" reports• uill ecipbasize tba radar con tusion aspect. It is also ey i"oeling that, Tlhereas tomerly this nas a subject uhich sc1entll'ic men did not :wish to beocme involved in, it is noo becoming "respectable" to :JtudT the UJ.bject am to discuss it publicly. If this treni continues and our nstronomers am other scientists do t;um their talents to tho proble1:l., I am sure that tho nrumcrs m.ll be expedited. 0 I AI.FRID R. mxrmLL Brig. General., USAF Jd:r Force Secre~• 13 October 1952 M001WtDUM FOR: Deputy- Director (Intelligence) SUBnCT: Flying saucers 1. ~ unidentified objects (F.cying saucers) have be~n the eubJect al Air Force obaervation and analyaia becauae of :the poss1b1l1t;y that. such obJecta might conceivably be an attack on the U.S. It they are n01i 1 it ia conceivable that the eneJV might take advantage at the contu.aion created by the by the~ Saucers to use &this convenience some air w~ against the United States. 2. 'lhus tar Def'enee Department conducted research 1n this area bas been confined to the et"f'ort by A-2 through ATIC with the result that an explanation bas been provided on all. but 20 per cent ot the total 1500 re»Orted aightinp a£ Flying Saucers. 3. Determination c4 the acienti:tic capabilities c4 the USSR to create and control Plying Saucers as a weapon against the United States is a primary concern at the ell/OSI. l ts review ot existing 1.nf'orme.tion does not 1ead to the conclusion that tho saucers ore USSR crea~d. or controlled. It is the view at OSI that collection of' intel.l.igcnce inf'ormaticm on the capabilities ot the USSR to produce, launch, and control FJ.y1.Dg Saucers and the analysis of' •~h data as might be collected cannot be very et"fective until there is adequate fundamental. scJ t!'!lti.tic research launched to clari.t'y the nature and causes of' Flying Saucer• and to dertse means wh~eby they might be inatantl.y ident1t1.ed . 4. The major scientif'ic intelligence problems in respect to Saucers are: a. What is the present level 'of' Soviet knowledge regard.ing these phenomena? b. What are possible Soviet capabilities to utilize these phenomena to the detriment of US security interests? c. W hat effect do f'lying oaucera have 0n. our wurn.1118 aysteD. !his doeament: has boG!l appro~ed r· ·• for rele~e through tfio RISTo;u the C .it_ n~~- · 7 JUtJ o/1 ....... I .JJ f?--z... - • - • ~00167
, ,.. ,. .. 5. Conclusions: a. • The instigation ot fundamental scientitic research~ the primary responsibility ot tbe Detenae Depertment. .L ..':.I.. ,..J Alu ~/ A C ~~.J.prQ~ b. The DCI~/boul.d dispatch to Secretary Lovctt%ong the Unes o2 the attached. The cover sheet expl.&1ning to the IAC vt'!Y' th<.: propos~ ltrt:,ter i~ su.bniitted iii also a~to.ch... 'fl. ( -W~~cl, --< - ~ ~ c>v1--~ CJ- ~ ~a.,, ~ A-_::/ (MA,, I ,4 c) -! • It is tar too early in viev ct tho prcaent state O\ll' kU.Ctiiledge rege.rd:.μig flying Sa.ucGrs tor p&ycholog1oal wrtare plamiers to start. planning how the United Sto.tes might UJiiC u.a. Fl.yiJig Saucers ~t the~• d . When intelligence has subm1tte;d the Na.tier.al Estimate on Ply:-1.ng Scuccrs there will be the time and be.sis tor a })ublic policy to reduce or restrain zraso byaterie.. JAMES Q. RESER Jlssiotant Director Intelligence Coordination
• • Dll.'ELLIGEICE Al>YISOBY COIIIIT!EB F.ll!Dfl llni&mt:U'ied Object• iFl.Jills Saucera) ~~:-tkN.fi a.. Attached ie a propoced l.etter to Secretary Lovett 1 from the 0 DCI reconmending the init iat ion of f'Undamental scientific research with re~ct to the na.ture and caw;es or unidentified tl.yi11g objects (l'J.ting Saucers) . 2. Mhile it 1s recognized that 'the implications of Flying Saucers are ot ~ concern :to tbe Defense De~nt ill carrying out its responoibili~ to defend tbe United States~ it :lo also believed tbat intelligence must request of appropriate authority such asciotance an it ileeda to co;rrr out ito re&ponsib111ty. It 1s believed tbat the ac1entif1c reGeareh required and the :t.ntelJ:Jgence recearch contingent tbereon cau be moet fruitful if tbe7 go band in ha.Dd. 3. Rer-omrnendations: a. ~t the UC concur in tho :JP1'9PO&ed l etter to the Seer~ of Defense. b. ['bat the UC requeot tUe natch COlllnittee to give clooe attention to indicat10ll$ Vhicb IaY" reflect. saian act1.ons are be~ taken With respect to or on the basio ot cogniZQnce of F1yi.ng Saucer& or vttl:l respect to the state of mu:tecl States public opil:iion lu respect ot 11.y113,g Saucers. !his document has been approved for releaso through tr.o HISTORICllli FJ!mEW PROGRAM of the Central Int 11 r-~ "'e Agency. D~te .JVN 't f { (HJ168 ruu,_ tf ... 1::'..DRAFr LET'l'ER • MEf.l)IWIDUM FOR: Secretary of Deferwe [~ a.. ~ : 71..c..., /\I S cl Unidentified Flying Objects (Fl.yitlg Saucers) • l . The IAC has reviewed ·i;he current situntion concernins unidentifi ed flying objects vhich have caused extensive speculati on in the pi-ass and have 'been the subject o: concern to Govenu:ient or gan:.zations . Tbe Au· Force 1 within the __il'Aitc.tions o:!" l'llWlpover which could be devoted to t··c subjc~t.,. ho.i:; thus far carried the full responsibllity t or :.LnvestiGating and analyzing i ndividual reports of sighti.A,ga. Since 1947, appro~lootely 1500 official reports of sightings have been r eceived end, of thcoe, about 2<:1/:, are a.s yet une}..-pl ained. 2 . I t .is Ji'ff vle~ and toot of the IAC that tb:ts situation bas poGsible implicat:l ona for our natiozml security with respect to tbe vulnc.1.--ab!lity of tl:e U..L to air atta,:::k. Intelligence, ho..'Cver, cannot discharge itc respona1bilitiea v.i.th l'ega.rd to estioati~g the ca.:pabilit i es of an eDCTOY :to create and use such pbonoruana. aenin;t t he U.S. un.leas -ve i'i.rst detel'?llinc through ocientific rccearch ,mether or not sueh phenomena can in fact be generated o.nd controlled by ~c . 3. It is therefore reco::=1encled, thut the Dcpart:mnt of Dere:use (be d::.rected'to) undertake au expanclet.l nc.:.entif:!.c researcb pr0£ram to reveal the nature of the varicus :vbeno.:neoo which arc ca.using theoe sig)ltiv and mea.tw by wh!ch these '{lhcnomene. m y be identified !l:lI:ediately. It'! recom:nend.od that in sucb a pr oject there be close cooperation bet\ref' conducting the receo.rch and scientific and tecbnical intclli &m<Y The IAC agencies are :prepared to do thei r part in such a pro/z + BOX NO. ...J <( FOLDER NO. J!S/H t +75 I ~ <( a: C ACCESS RESTRICTED 4-~~ ( YJ DOCUMENT NO. ~ DATED I 7 JAt-l 53 HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN FROM THIS FILE AND IS LOCATED IN: w (.) - l- o t4-Toc~ R... c 1 A JoB No. :c 1 - - THIS ITEM HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN BECAUSE IT CONTAINS SECURITY ~ CLASSIFIED INFORMATION OR OTHERWISE RESTRICTED INFORMATION. 1 - z w ~ ::> (.) 0 C NATIONAL SECURITY ACT OF 1947 CIA ACT OF 1949 AS AMENDED AUTHORITY FORM 4409 8-90