DISCLOSURE / FILE

CENTCOM Full-Motion Sensor Pans and Zooms September 2020

DOW-UAP-PR085, "16 Sept 2020 [CALLSIGN] [CALLSIGN] observes UAP"

An AARO-released Department of War video record, uploader-titled "16 Sept 2020 [CALLSIGN] [CALLSIGN] observes UAP," assessed as likely full-motion video from a U.S. military platform in the CENTCOM area of responsibility in 2020.

Brief

On March 6, 2026, eight members of the U.S. House of Representatives requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records reportedly held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community, and AARO identified a set of responsive materials on a classified network, many lacking a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses this 4-minute 44-second video is likely derived from a full-motion video camera aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in 2020, uploaded to a classified network in September 2020. The video shows an area of contrast entering the frame at 01:18, tracked by a panning and zooming sensor through 04:29, before leaving the field-of-view in the lower left at 04:30. AARO states the video description is provided for informational purposes only and should not be read as an analytical judgment or factual determination about the event.

Metadata

Agency: Department of War
Release: 5/22/26
Incident: 2020
Location: CENTCOM
Type: VIDEO • .mp4
Length: 4:44
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Programs: AARO
Tags: area of contrast, full-motion video, CENTCOM, 2020, classified-network upload, AARO

Key points

Eight U.S. House members requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community on March 6, 2026.p.1
AARO identified responsive materials on a classified network, many of which lack a substantiated chain-of-custody.p.1
AARO assesses the video is likely derived from a full-motion video camera aboard a U.S. military platform operating in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in 2020.p.1
A user uploaded the video to a classified network in September 2020.p.1
Total video duration is 00:04:44; the first 00:00-01:17 contains no content.p.1
From 01:18 to 02:24 an area of contrast enters the bottom of the screen and is held center-frame as the sensor pans and zooms.p.1
From 02:25 to 04:29 the sensor zooms in while the area of contrast stays generally centered; from 04:30 to 04:44 it leaves the field-of-view in the lower left-hand quarter.p.1
AARO states the video description is informational only and not an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination about the event.p.1

Most interesting

The record's only title is uploader-defined: "16 Sept 2020 [CALLSIGN] [CALLSIGN] observes UAP," with callsigns redacted.
AARO flags that many of these congressionally requested records lack a substantiated chain-of-custody.
The tracked object is described only as an "area of contrast," carried center-frame by a panning, zooming sensor for roughly three minutes.
The first 1 minute 17 seconds of the 4-minute 44-second file contains no content.

Common questions

What is CENTCOM Full-Motion Sensor Pans and Zooms September 2020?

What does CENTCOM Full-Motion Sensor Pans and Zooms September 2020 reveal?

Eight U.S. House members requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community on March 6, 2026. AARO identified responsive materials on a classified network, many of which lack a substantiated chain-of-custody. AARO assesses the video is likely derived from a full-motion video camera aboard a…

Which agency produced CENTCOM Full-Motion Sensor Pans and Zooms September 2020?

CENTCOM Full-Motion Sensor Pans and Zooms September 2020 is a primary-source record from Department of War. Its original classification was UNCLASSIFIED.

When is CENTCOM Full-Motion Sensor Pans and Zooms September 2020 dated?

CENTCOM Full-Motion Sensor Pans and Zooms September 2020 is dated 2020. It was disclosed 2026-05-22.

What programs and topics appear in CENTCOM Full-Motion Sensor Pans and Zooms September 2020?

CENTCOM Full-Motion Sensor Pans and Zooms September 2020 references AARO, area of contrast, full-motion video, CENTCOM and classified-network upload.

Brief

Key points

Eight U.S. House members requested access to 51 potentially UAP-related records held by the Department of War and the Intelligence Community on March 6, 2026.p.1

AARO identified responsive materials on a classified network, many of which lack a substantiated chain-of-custody.p.1

AARO assesses the video is likely derived from a full-motion video camera aboard a U.S. military platform operating in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in 2020.p.1

A user uploaded the video to a classified network in September 2020.p.1

Total video duration is 00:04:44; the first 00:00-01:17 contains no content.p.1

From 01:18 to 02:24 an area of contrast enters the bottom of the screen and is held center-frame as the sensor pans and zooms.p.1

From 02:25 to 04:29 the sensor zooms in while the area of contrast stays generally centered; from 04:30 to 04:44 it leaves the field-of-view in the lower left-hand quarter.p.1

AARO states the video description is informational only and not an analytical judgment, investigative conclusion, or factual determination about the event.p.1

Most interesting

The record's only title is uploader-defined: "16 Sept 2020 [CALLSIGN] [CALLSIGN] observes UAP," with callsigns redacted.

AARO flags that many of these congressionally requested records lack a substantiated chain-of-custody.

The tracked object is described only as an "area of contrast," carried center-frame by a panning, zooming sensor for roughly three minutes.

The first 1 minute 17 seconds of the 4-minute 44-second file contains no content.