An unexplained incident involving a U.S. military aircraft has reignited discussions about unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) in American airspace. In January 2023, an F-16 Viper fighter jet was reportedly struck by an unidentified object during a training exercise near Gila Bend, Arizona. Declassified documents reveal that the object collided with the jet’s canopy, which was first observed by an instructor pilot in the rear seat of the aircraft.
Initial investigations found no significant damage to the nearly $70 million jet, and authorities ruled out a bird strike as the cause. Instead, officials concluded that the aircraft had been hit by a drone, although the origin and operator of the drone remain unknown. This incident is part of a broader pattern, as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recorded it as the first of four encounters with unidentified phenomena reported the following day.
The incident has drawn attention from various experts, including UFO researcher James Fox, who stated, “According to military personnel I’ve personally met with, there were objects 200 miles off the East Coast that were extensively loitering and had no visible means of propulsion.” Fox emphasized that the report of an impact with a UAP does not surprise him, considering the lengthy history of unexplained aerial sightings.
Declassified documents from the Department of Defense indicate that between May 1, 2023, and June 1, 2024, there were 757 reported incidents involving unidentified flying objects, with only 49 cases labeled as “case closed” by the Pentagon. Such figures suggest ongoing scrutiny of aerial phenomena, but Fox insists that these occurrences are not new.
“There are reports dating back to the 1930s and 1940s,” Fox noted. “You had mysterious, glowing, orb-like objects that could fly rings around military planes from World War II.” He posits that whether these sightings are manifestations of non-human intelligence or advanced human technology, they have been well-documented for decades.
The conversation surrounding UAPs gained further traction when former President Donald Trump hinted at undisclosed knowledge regarding the infamous Roswell incident. During an interview with his son, Trump remarked, “I won’t talk to you about what I know about it, but it’s very interesting.”
Despite the intrigue, not all voices align with the belief in extraterrestrial visitors. Entrepreneur Elon Musk expressed skepticism in a statement last year, noting, “I’ve not seen any evidence of aliens.” Musk pointed out that with SpaceX operating approximately 6,000 satellites in the Starlink constellation, there has never been a need to maneuver around a UFO.
As discussions about UAPs continue to evolve, the recent incident involving the F-16 Viper highlights the growing interest and scrutiny regarding aerial phenomena in U.S. airspace. With official investigations underway and ongoing reports of unidentified encounters, the mystery surrounding these occurrences deepens, prompting further exploration into the implications for national security and public understanding.
