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USOs Not UFOs Have Been the Greatest Threat to the Navy

To date, there has been no documented damage to a plane caused by a UFO.
By Scot Christenson
August 2022
Naval History Magazine
Article
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The United States Navy created a bit of a buzz when it revealed new guidelines for pilots who wanted to report encounters with unexplained aerial phenomena. The guidelines were created in response to a rash of unusual sightings over the past several years. Many media outlets equated unexplained aerial phenomena to unidentified flying objects, or UFOs, which in turn was interpreted by a lot of people as meaning “spacecraft flown by aliens.” To the disappointment of believers, most reported phenomena are probably due to something a bit more mundane than extraterrestrials taking a joy ride through our atmosphere. In addition to spotting experimental aircraft being tested, aviators may simply be succumbing to optical illusions or experiencing radar glitches. To date, there has been no documented damage to a plane caused by a UFO.

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Scot Christenson

Scot Christenson is the director of communications for the U.S. Naval Institute. He began his career as a television producer and journalist before going on to develop and manage media strategies for a wide range of organizations, including amusement parks, zoos, think tanks, and lobbying firms. He has written about history and pop culture for several periodicals. He lives in Alexandria, Virginia.

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