US Department of Defense Launches Public Archive of Declassified UFO Files
Pentagon begins regular release of 161 declassified UFO files to support public and expert analysis.
US Department of Defense Publishes Declassified UFO Files to Boost Transparency
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has initiated the publication of 161 declassified files related to unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs). These documents, available on the Pentagon’s official website as of May 8, include photographs, PDF reports, and videos, marking a significant step toward greater governmental transparency on the subject.
The Pentagon described the effort as an "unprecedented historical initiative," requiring coordination among multiple agencies and the review of tens of millions of records, many originating from paper archives spanning several decades. The DoD plans to continue releasing additional materials every few weeks as they are found and declassified.
"Because authorities have not reached definitive conclusions about the nature of these phenomena, the Department of Defense encourages public and expert analysis of the released data." – Pentagon statement
Beyond the DoD itself, this initiative involves contributions from the White House, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Department of Energy, NASA, the FBI, and other intelligence units. The shared files also draw from FBI, NASA, and U.S. State Department archives.
Among the published materials are recent video recordings, including at least one from January 2026. While all files have undergone security checks, many remain unanalyzed with respect to explaining the observed anomalies.
Context and Public Interest Driving Disclosure
The release of these files follows a February directive from then-President Donald Trump, citing "huge public interest" in UFOs and related phenomena. This move comes after heightened public and media attention to the topic, notably spurred by statements from former President Barack Obama. During a podcast interview, Obama humorously acknowledged the existence of extraterrestrials but denied any personal knowledge or evidence of their contact with humanity.
Obama’s remarks quickly circulated on social media, reigniting debate around UFOs. He later clarified that during his tenure, he saw no verified evidence to confirm extraterrestrial contact. The Pentagon has also reiterated in statements issued in 2022 and 2024 that no conclusive proof of alien life or contact has been found.
This ongoing public release of UFO data aims to facilitate open analysis and debate, leveraging the expertise of scientists, researchers, and the general public to better understand these enigmatic aerial incidents.
