ISR Captures Two Cold-Signature Objects Over UAE, October 2023

Brief

During a joint surveillance and reconnaissance flight out of Al Dhafra Air Base on October 24, 2023, a U.S. Air Force platform assigned to the 50th Attack Squadron observed two separate UAPs — the first at 0241Z displaying a 'THERMAL SHOWED COLD' infrared signature at an estimated 320 MPH, the second at 0322Z at an estimated 440 MPH. Both objects were logged as solid in physical state, assessed as benign, showed no maneuverability and no intelligent control, and produced no effects on crew or equipment. The crew also received a professional guard call from Iranian Air Defense at 0145Z, which ceased after standard coalition self-identification. An infrared video of the encounter was submitted to AARO alongside the mission report.

Metadata

Agency

Department of War

Release

5/8/26

Location

United Arab Emirates

Type

PDF • .pdf

Length

9 pages

Classification

FOUO

Programs

OP SPARTAN SHIELD

Tags

infrared, thermal-cold, solid, UAE, 2023, OP SPARTAN SHIELD, JSR mission, AARO submission, Iranian Air Defense intercept, dual sighting

Key points

• Two UAP sightings were logged during the same mission — at 0241Z and 0322Z on October 24, 2023 — approximately 41 minutes apart, with both encounters noted in the mission narrative.p.1
• The first UAP carried a 'THERMAL SHOWED COLD' infrared signature, indicating it radiated less thermal energy than the ambient background — atypical for any conventionally powered aircraft.p.7
• Estimated velocity for the first UAP was 320 MPH; the second was estimated at 440 MPH. Both figures are marked as estimated and trajectory is listed as unknown for each.p.8
• Both UAPs were assessed as 'Benign,' with no intelligent control, no maneuverability, no observer engagement, and no effects on persons or equipment recorded.p.7
• Both UAPs were logged as 'Solid' in physical state; size, shape, color, markings, propulsion means, and payload are all listed as unknown.p.7
• At 0145Z the aircraft received a guard call from Iranian Air Defense (ground callsign: IRANIAN_AIR_DEFENSE) instructing it to maintain safe distance from the border; the calls ceased immediately after the aircraft self-identified.p.6
• The mission totaled 20 hours 43 minutes with 17 hours 17 minutes on station, collecting SIGINT via airhandler from 0150Z to 2019Z and IMINT from 0155Z to 1837Z in support of NAVCENT.p.5
• Full-motion video from the mission was exploited by DGS-2, and a 43-second infrared sensor clip was submitted to AARO as supporting material.p.1
• The report was declassified by MG Richard A. Harrison, USCENTCOM Chief of Staff, on September 12, 2025, with Privacy Act exemptions applied throughout and observer identities fully redacted.p.2

Verbatim

• UAP Signatures: THERMAL SHOWED COLD

  p.7

• Observer Assessment of UAP: Benign

  p.7

• UAP Under Intelligent Control (yes/no; if yes, describe): NO

  p.7

• MAINTAIN SAFE DISTANCE FROM BORDER

  p.6

• THIS IS A COALITION AIRCRAFT CONDUCTING ROUTINE OPERATIONS IN INTERNATIONAL AIRSPACE

  p.6

• Kinetic Velocity: 320 MPH

  p.8

• Kinetic Velocity: 440 MPH

  p.9

• Total Mission Time: 20 hours 43 minutes

  p.5

Most interesting

• A 'THERMAL SHOWED COLD' reading means the object's infrared signature was cooler than the surrounding ambient background — the inverse of what any engine exhaust, airframe friction, or propulsion system would produce, making it distinctly anomalous on an IR sensor.
• The two UAPs were encountered 41 minutes apart while the observing aircraft held the same altitude (FL243), heading (280 degrees), and airspeed (162 KTAS), suggesting the contacts were not artifacts of platform maneuver.
• The second UAP's estimated velocity of 440 MPH is roughly 38 percent faster than the first at 320 MPH, yet both objects showed no detectable propulsion means, no RF emissions, and no maneuvering — an unusual pairing of speed and passivity.
• Despite two formal UAP event reports being filed, neither object was interrogated by sensor, engaged, or reacquired after it left the field of view — suggesting no active pursuit protocol was triggered.
• The mission's only communication challenge came not from the UAP contacts but from Iranian Air Defense, which issued a professional border-warning guard call about 56 minutes before the first UAP sighting.
• Observer identity, rank, email, and phone number are redacted under Privacy Act protections on both UAP event records, leaving no publicly attributable witness for either sighting.