Summary
This infrared video is assessed to have come from a U.S. military sensor operating in the U.S. Central Command region in January 2021. After an extended period with no content, an area of contrast appears and the sensor tracks it for about a minute before it exits the frame. The roughly five-minute file was uploaded to a classified network in January 2021 and released through the PURSUE declassification.
Detail
This Department of War video was identified by AARO among records requested by U.S. House of Representatives members in March 2026. AARO assesses the footage likely came from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform operating within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in January 2021, uploaded to a classified network the same month. The clip runs about four minutes and 57 seconds.
Most of the video contains no content. Roughly two minutes in, an area of contrast appears near the top of the frame; the sensor pans to keep it centered for about a minute before zooming in, after which the object exits at the lower left. AARO states the description is informational only and reflects no analytical conclusion. The record was released through the PURSUE declassification.
