Gimbal infrared-video event

Record summary

What happened A Navy F/A-18 aircrew recorded an infrared target while pilots discussed other contacts and reacted to the object's apparent rotation. The Department of Defense officially released the video known as GIMBAL in 2020 and stated that the phenomenon remained characterized as unidentified at that time. The rotating shape in the image may reflect the behavior of infrared glare as the sensor's gimbal and optical system move rather than rotation of a solid craft. The pilots' contextual reports of a wider formation remain important testimony but are not visible in the short public clip. Evidence An officially authenticated Navy infrared video, cockpit audio and pilot testimony concerning the broader encounter context. Explanations considered A distant aircraft viewed through infrared glare, with apparent rotation produced by the sensor system, is a leading technical proposal. Wind and range assumptions strongly affect estimates of motion. What remains uncertain The public clip is short and lacks complete metadata and accompanying radar. Authentic military footage is not equivalent to proof of extraordinary performance or origin. Primary source Statement on the release of historical Navy videos — U.S. Department of Defense