In recent years, Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP), commonly known as UFOs, have transitioned from fringe curiosities to subjects of serious governmental and scientific scrutiny. Central to this shift is the identification of five distinct characteristics, termed the "Five Observables" that these phenomena frequently exhibit. These observables challenge our current understanding of physics and aerospace technology, prompting both intrigue and concern among experts and policymakers.
1. Instantaneous Acceleration
One of the most perplexing traits of UAPs is their ability to accelerate from a stationary position to extreme velocities in an instant, without any observable buildup or transitional phases. Traditional aircraft require time and distance to achieve such speeds due to inertia and the limitations of propulsion systems. The sudden acceleration observed in UAPs defies these principles, suggesting the use of technologies beyond our current capabilities.
For instance, Luis Elizondo, former head of the Pentagon's Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), has highlighted instances where UAPs exhibited rapid acceleration that existing human-made aircraft cannot match. In an interview with People magazine, Elizondo emphasized the advanced capabilities of these objects, noting their hypersonic speeds and apparent anti-gravity properties.
2. Hypersonic Velocities Without Signatures
UAPs have been recorded traveling at hypersonic speeds—defined as velocities exceeding Mach 5 (approximately 3,836 mph or 6,174 km/h). Remarkably, these objects achieve such speeds without producing typical signatures associated with high-velocity travel, such as sonic booms or heat trails. This absence of detectable indicators raises questions about the propulsion mechanisms employed by these phenomena.
The 2021 report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) analysed 144 UAP incidents reported by U.S. military personnel between 2004 and 2021. The report noted that some UAPs "appeared to remain stationary in winds aloft, move against the wind, maneuver abruptly, or move at considerable speed, without discernible means of propulsion."
3. Low Observability or Cloaking
Many UAPs exhibit a high degree of stealth, evading detection by radar and other monitoring systems. This low observability, sometimes referred to as "cloaking," complicates efforts to track and study these objects. Their ability to remain undetected suggests advanced technologies designed to minimize their electromagnetic and infrared signatures.
During a 2024 U.S. Congressional hearing on UAPs titled "Exposing the Truth," journalist Michael Shellenberger presented a controversial whistleblower report claiming evidence of UAP data being withheld. The report suggested that some UAPs possess advanced cloaking capabilities, making them difficult to detect with standard surveillance equipment.
4. Transmedium Travel
UAPs have been observed seamlessly transitioning between different environments, such as moving from air to water without any loss of performance or structural integrity. This capability, known as transmedium travel, is unprecedented in known human-made vehicles, which are typically designed for specific domains and face significant challenges when operating outside their intended environments.
Dr. Jon T. Kosloski, head of the Pentagon's UFO investigation office, testified before the Senate Committee on Armed Services about several anomalous UAP sightings under investigation. He detailed reports from law enforcement and government workers about objects displaying characteristics like rapid acceleration and disappearance, which cannot be easily explained by conventional technology or natural phenomena.
5. Positive Lift Without Apparent Means
Perhaps the most confounding observable is the ability of UAPs to maintain flight without any visible means of lift or propulsion. Unlike conventional aircraft that rely on aerodynamic surfaces like wings and engines to generate thrust, these objects often lack such features yet exhibit controlled and sustained flight. This defies our current understanding of aerodynamics and suggests the utilization of unknown technologies or principles.
In the same 2024 Congressional hearing, witnesses testified about UAPs exhibiting behaviours inconsistent with known physics, including maintaining flight without observable means of lift. These accounts challenge existing aerospace paradigms and underscore the need for further investigation into the technologies behind these phenomena.
Implications for National Security and Aerospace Technology
The presence of objects exhibiting the Five Observables has raised serious concerns within defence and intelligence communities worldwide. If these UAPs represent advanced foreign technology, they could pose a national security threat, given their apparent superiority over existing military systems. If they are not of terrestrial origin, their capabilities challenge fundamental aspects of physics and aerospace engineering.
National Security Concerns
Governments, particularly the United States, have taken increasing interest in UAPs due to their potential implications for defence and surveillance. The rapid acceleration, hypersonic speeds, and transmedium capabilities observed in these objects suggest a level of technological sophistication far beyond known aerospace advancements. This raises pressing questions:
The U.S. Department of Defence has long monitored and investigated UAP incursions near sensitive military installations and nuclear facilities. Reports indicate that UAPs have repeatedly hovered over military bases, even temporarily disabling nuclear missile systems. Such incidents—documented as far back as the 1960s—underscore the potential strategic significance of UAP activity.
Former intelligence officials have publicly stated that if another nation had developed the technology observed in UAPs, it would represent an unprecedented leap in aerospace capabilities. Countries such as Russia and China are actively working on next-generation propulsion systems, including hypersonic missiles, but none have demonstrated the ability to travel without heat signatures, transition seamlessly between different mediums, or accelerate instantaneously.
Aerospace Innovation and Technological Breakthroughs
Beyond defence concerns, the study of UAPs has the potential to revolutionize aerospace technology. If the propulsion systems and materials behind these objects can be understood, they could pave the way for groundbreaking advancements in transportation, energy, and engineering.
Some areas of research that could benefit from studying UAP capabilities include:
If UAPs are evidence of extraterrestrial or non-human intelligence, their study could redefine our understanding of physics, propulsion, and even space travel. Governments and private industry are increasingly interested in these possibilities, with companies like SpaceX and Lockheed Martin monitoring developments in UAP research to identify potential applications.
The growing attention to UAPs has led to an increase in governmental transparency, scientific inquiry, and public engagement. However, there remain challenges in gaining full disclosure from military and intelligence agencies, as much of the data on UAPs is still classified.