Leik Myrabo - it's a small world

 Background

In my last blog, which concerned the McDonnell Douglas Corporation's then "secret" UFO study, between 1967 and 1970, I spoke of their search to look to develop new aerospace technologies, based on studying UFO "observables."

Introduction

In an article dated 24 September 2020, titled "Blasting The Air In Front of Hypersonic Vehicles With lasers Could Unlock Unprecedented Speeds," The Warzone journalist Brett Tingley spoke of a long term research goal. Namely, drag reduction of an aerospace vehicle by directed energy deposition. In simple terms, working to condition the air in front of an air vehicle so as to reduce drag and hence increase its speed. The article mentions that one of the ways to do this, was suggested by an individual named Leik Myrabo, who "proposed using lasers to literally expand the air in front of a high speed craft." According to Tingley, this was in 1983. Interestingly, there was no mention of Myrabo's links to UFO research, in the Tingley article. 

Ray Stanford

In 2011, US researcher Christian P. Lambright published a book titled "X Descending." (X Desk Publishing. Kindle Edition. ASIN: B007LSDHQ8.) Included in the book was an account, that in early 1986, he visited US UFO observer Ray Stanford, in Austin, Texas to view some of Stanford's photographic documentation of his UFO sightings in 1985. Included in Stanford's collection were shots of:

 "...an object traveling on-edge with one full surface facing forward...and a bright beam projecting forward from the center of the disc...The beam had to be doing something to the air..."

In 1995, Lambright came across the work of a professor at the Rensselear Polytechnic Institute concerning the use of energy beams to reduce drag on an aircraft. That professor's name was Leik Myrabo, the same individual mentioned in the Tingley article. Lambright contacted Stanford to tell him about this research, but Stanford interrupted and said:

 " Oh that must be Leik Myrabo from RPI. He was here at my house a few years ago and spent three days looking at my films!" 

Later, after sighting a letter from Myrabo to Stanford, Lambright determined that the visit had been in March 1987. Thus, at least, Stanford's photographic documentation, confirmed some of Myrabo's own ideas, and perhaps stimulated other ideas. 

Myrabo (right) watches as students at Rensselaer run a computer simulation for the air spike wind tunnel test on the Lightcraft model held by the student at left. (RPI photo)

Back in 1978

Another, earlier, Myrabo UFO related account was given by Lambright, later in his book. In early 1978 Myrabo wrote to a Dr. John Warren expressing interest in Waren's 1977 MUFON UFO Symposium paper titled "The Scientific Method of Investigating UFOs." Myrabo supplied Warren with a copy of a paper Myrabo was to give in April 1978. This Myrabo paper, featured "...sketches of disc-shape vehicles - including a brief claim of the possibility of using beamed energy to mitigate shockwave effects."

So, it is clear from both the 1978 Warren episode, and the 1987 Stanford episode, that Myrabo was open and interested in the details of UFO "observables." Another example of a main stream scientist using data from UFO studies to suggest a way forward on a scientific problem. 

The McDonnell Douglas UAP study

 Introduction

The Wilson/Davis notes of 2001, and comments by a number of the leading players, have directed our attention to private United States (US) aerospace companies, as the place to look for reverse-engineering opportunities in respect of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP.) 

Much has been written about the Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS) era, where employees were scouring the planet for information about UAP propulsion systems. However, other US aerospace companies have used the study of UAP, to provide them with intelligence on potential advanced propulsion systems. One such company was the McDonnell Douglas Corporation, in the time frame 1967-1970.

International UFO Reporter

In the July/August 1993 edition of the International UFO Reporter, former McDonnell Douglas employee, Robert M. Wood discussed, in part, a study conducted by his company between 1967 and 1970. Part of the article reads:

"I recommended to my management that a modest company funded Project be undertaken to explore break through in gravity propulsion. The Project included the exploration of unpopular theories, laboratory evaluation of hypotheses, field observations, witness interviews, and examination of the UFO literature. At one point there were four full-time and three part-time employees involved. The Project was terminated in 1969 at my recommendation due to our inability to identify the timing of the Payoff...The code name was "BITBR" - standing for "Boys in The Back Room."

MUFON Journal

The October 2008 issue (pp3-8) of the MUFON Journal carried another article by Robert M. Wood titled "McDonnell-Douglas studied UFOs in 1960's" This article provided details about the origin of the Project; the names of the employees involved, and their areas of expertise. The individuals named were: 

* Dr. Joseph M.  Brown - full-time. PhD (Mechanical Engineering.) His theory may be read in full, in the 2004 book "The Grand Unified Theory of Physics" Basic Research Press, Starkville, MS. In the book, he describes his work on the UFO project at McDonnell Douglas. 

* Chan Thomas - part time - a psychic with an interest in geological catastrophes.

* Paul Wilson- retired detective - full-time - conducted interviews and worked on the field data acquisition.

* Stanton Friedman - full time from June 1969 to June 1970.

* Dr. Darell Boyd Harmon - PhD in physics - part-time. Harmon is also listed as a scientific advisor to NICAP.

* Leon A. Steinert - mathematician - part-time.

* Harvey C. Bjornlie - experimentalist - part-time.

Comment

One comment which I found of interest was:

"The only contact with the Government about the Project came towards the end of the spring of 1970 when there was interest expressed by one of the intelligence agencies. This resulted in a draft proposal to "mimic, imitate or duplicate the observables associated with UFOs." We called this potential opportunity Project Skylite, and prepared a good deal of technical information in anticipation of contract work. It never materialised with McDonnell Douglas to my knowledge."

A footnote to that comment, read: "Wilson, P. "Charts Defining Parameters of Design." Six pages, dated June 2, 1970."

Comment

Jacques Vallee's "Forbidden Science: Volume 2" (FSV2) page 412 addresses the question of whether McDonnell Douglas as a company, did in fact continue its UFO work?

"Belmont. Thursday 5 January 1978

"...Yesterday I received a phone call from a fellow who works with McDonnell-Douglas Astronautics. He told me that, "on a private basis," he was compiling a new close encounter database. I am not stupid enough to believe his company has no corporate interest in the matter. They have an on-going secret project, well-funded, with the blessing and official monitoring of the CIA and they're discreetly connected with major UFO groups, all of which love the secret intrigue of a link to the spooks..."

On page 440 of FSV2 there is also the following:

15 October 1978.

"McDonnell Douglas is continuing their quiet but well-funded study with John Schuessler also monitored by the Agency. They seem to be looking for exotic alloys."

Indeed, looking back to FSV2 p. 156, in an entry of Vallee's dated 21 October 1972 he says:

"These so-called tycoons have also contacted Stanton Friedman, a physicist who was part of the secret CIA/Douglas aircraft study a few years ago.." 

Although I have looked for documentation concerning Project Skylite, I have not found any. Has any blog reader come across further information on Project Skylite?

Documentation

Looking around for copies of documentation relating to BITBR, I located a 275 page PDF of project papers, in apparent random order, courtesy of US researcher Barry Greenwood, and a website which included18 PDFs of sets of Project papers. The website was particularly useful because it presented the PDFs in date order, allowing a chronological overview. 

I will present a brief overview of each of these 18 PDFs, and will extract information which seems most relevant to me.

1. Paper. Brown, J. M. 18 April 1967. 11 pages. "A Unifying Kinetic Particle Theory of Physics." "A unifying theory of physics is advanced..." 

2. Memo. Brown, J. M. to Wood, R M. 14 Aug 1967. 6 pages. "Space Propulsion Concepts." "Describes potential propulsion concepts which could be used primarily for propulsion in space..." 

3. Memo. Brown, J. M./Harman, D.  to Wood R. M. 20 Dec 1967. 8 pages. "Proposal for Electrostatic/Magnetic Experiments." "The Kinetic particle theory of physics has introduced the existence of several types of Electrostatic/Magnetic Phenomenon  which are not predicted to occur by Maxwell's electromagnetic equations..." 

4. Memo. Brown, J. M./Harman, D. 14 Feb 1968. 4 pages. "Currently Preferred Propulsion Concept." "...the purpose of this memo is to review the efforts of the past six months..." 

5. Presentation to McDonnell-Douglas management. 2 May 1968. 64 pages. "Advanced Vehicle Concepts Research."  Includes:

* The introduction contained a slide which included "What we've learned from UFOs - a DFO can be built - UFOs give clues." 

*"Are UFOs real? - Yes!"

* An overview of the size, shape, motion and field effects from UFO reports

* Field effects included very strong magnetic fields; some cases of electric fields, pressure on heads and lifting of water

* UFO "passenger" data sought from contactees

Comment

The idea that you could gain insights into the processes by which UAP move, seems to have also been a driving force behind Project VISIT. In 1976, NASA scientist John F. Schuessler, formed a group called Project VISIT short for Vehicle Internal Systems Investigative Team. One aim was to look at the internal systems of what Project VISIT called Unidentified Space Vehicles.

* Preliminary conclusions from the observables include "cannot escape the hypothesis that some UFOs are intelligently controlled vehicles (Aerospace companies must reflect this possibility in their planning.)" "Vehicles must be extraterrestrial."

* "Many "observed" vehicles are consistent with known science limits - such vehicles would be quiet valuable"

* "Many "observed" vehicles go beyond our known science limits - such vehicles would be phenomenal"

* "Other reported capabilities would be extremely valuable - ESP combat; disappearing capability; hand held anti-gravity devices'; pencil paralyzer"

* Presentation of the theory of J. M. Brown - experiments

* "Investigation of Unexplained Phenomena - Oregon vortex, "Haunted" houses, water divining, UFOs, psychic phenomena"

Comment

Note the mix of UFOs and psychic phenomenon, and especially with the employment of psychic Chan Thomas and his unconventional ideas.

* Vehicle approach - force generators schemes - matter/antimatter annihilation; matter annihilation, gravity manipulation, electric or magnetic field interaction

*Three way approach - 1. UFO data collection and analysis including measurements of UFO observables. 2. New science development. 3. Vehicle prototype R & D.

Comment

Note the repeated use of the term "UFO observables." 50 years later, we find Luis Elizondo of TTSA using exactly this term "observables." Interestingly, we knew of these same observable right back from the 1950's and they have been a constant factor in the UAP ever since. 

* Past years accomplishments included: ESP experiments in progress; unexplained phenomena investigations (Oregon vortex; haunted houses, UFO sightings; studying UFO and psychic books and magazines)

* "Competitor's efforts; Hughes (10 men at Fullerton under Meiers); Lockheed Sunnyvale; Rand has proposed project; Martin had (has) gravity project (As has several other companies.) Several companies have UFO related efforts. Raytheon (had a computer project from Condon/U. of Colo.) Other countries in business - Russia has UFO project."

Comment

It would be nice to know more about the UFO related efforts of other contemporary aerospace companies as mentioned here. Jacques Vallee's "Forbidden Science" Volume 1. 1992. North Atlantic books. Berkeley, CA, page 135, contains a diary entry dated 17 May 1965.

"A curious incident recently took place during a conversation with a Martin Marietta engineer who says he is compiling a reference book on UFOs..." The engineer circulated a black binder with material in it, and when someone turned a page "The engineer leapt out of his chair like a tiger and tore the binder away, tersely spitting out "...the other papers have nothing to do with that! We were left fairly shocked at the violence of his reaction. Of course we began to wonder what else might be in that binder. There are rumours that major aerospace companies are conducting their own secret studies of UFOs."

* Importance of effort to company: Vehicles - immeasurable; theory -significant; High magnetic fields - saleable; ESP - hearing aids - enemy intelligence

6. Memo. Brown, J. M. to Wood, R. M. 27 June 1968. 17 pages. "Proposed vehicle R & D Program (Project BITBR)." Includes feedback from May 1968 management presentation. "The principle approach consists of evolving the systems from basic physics and evolving directly from an analysis of UFO (Unidentified Flying Objects)  observations"

"The vast majority of the "vehicle" sightings indicate that strong magnetic fields are generated by the vehicles. These fields are presumed to be connected with the prolusion system." 

7. Memo. Brown J. M./Wilson, P. 1 Aug 1968. 1 page. "Interview with Barbara J Hickox." "Mrs Hickox reported...that she had seen and ridden in an aerospace vehicle manned by extraterrestrial beings. The purpose of the visit was to explore the possibility of obtaining useful technical information from Mrs Hickox. ...We did not discuss her observations made while aboard the vehicle...She talked about a unique method for producing a vacuum...I absolutely could not make sense of what she was saying..."

8. Memo. Brown, J. M./Harmon, D. B. to Wilson, P. 22 Aug 1968. 4 pages. "GA Propulsion System." "...a description of a GA (Gravity Amplification) propulsion system."

9. Memo. Brown, J. M. to Wood, R. M. 16 Sep 1968. 4 pages. "Current recommended tasks for 3-6 man effort." Discusses theoretical and experimental approaches. On the theoretical approach: "The principal concept we have been pointing towards is a scheme in which randomly moving particles are organized then directionally released for performing work. It is strongly believed that gravitation is produced by an organizational mechanism...The theoretical approach should be expanded...the experimental program is being expanded...Ancillary investigations of phenomenon, other unusual phenomenon and contactees are being minimized..."

10. Memo. Wilson, W. P. to Wood, R. M. 28 Oct 1968. 7 pages. "Experimental research and field data acquisition. - Project vehicle." mention a review and planning meeting held 24 & 25 Oct 1968. Proposes two next moves. 1. Certain laboratory experiments. 2a. Observe and record physical events coincidental to anomalistic atmosphere occurrences. 2b. Re-examine other natural physical events such as high energy lightning discharges for possible previously unobserved side effects. 

11, Memo. Thomas, C. to Wood, R. M. 22 Aug 1968. 20 pages. "A new communications mode." reports on experiments conducted in 1965 using a "transmitter" and "receiver" to transmit mind to mind card suits. Then follows up with what appears to be mental communications with entities of unknown origin, discussing space ships and their operation. 

12. Memo. Wilson, W. P. to Wood, R. M. 3 Jun 1969. 11 pages. "Field data acquisition requirements." "This memorandum discusses the sensor and operational requirements for a mobile and partially self-sustaining remote semi-permanent field data acquisition system designed to obtain the signatures of anomalous atmospheric phenomena unidentified flying objects ie UFOs." 

Comment

We learn from Wood's MUFON Journal article, that a van was outfitted with equipment, and that Paul Wilson, spent a week at the top of Red Mountain due to reported UFO activity there, but with negative results. 

13. Memo. Friedman, S T to Royer, D L, 18 Jun 1969. 1 page. Regarding searches in literature son round or lenticular shaped aircraft; and electrical and/or magnetic devices for propulsion or control of aircraft,

14. Memo. Bjornile, H. C. to Wood, R. M. 18 Jul 1969. 12 pages. "Light/magnetic field interaction experiment." Discusses the experiment and results.

15. Memo. Brown, J. M. to Wood, R. M. 17 Sep 1969 4 pages. "Fundamental constants of physics - speed of light." "In butino theory this speed is a constant with respect to the center of mass of the "local" background in which it is being transmitted."

16. Handwritten notes by Bjornile, H C. 2 Dec 1969. 3 pages. "Electron/gas analogy experiment."

17. Douglas Aircraft UFO reports. 52 pages. Sighting interviews; interviews with contactees; and analysis of material.

18. Wilson's notes 48 pages Various dates. Includes:

* Observables -- event documentation

* Memo 17 Feb 1969 to Wood R M "Field data acquisition requirements."

* Notes: "Field data acquisition" to be used by us and Atmospheric Sciences Department

* "Radiation and sub atomic particles controlled energy systems."

* "Particle radiation interaction experiments"

* "Report of field observations" 29 July 1968

* "Suggested standard format for tape interviews."

* "Plasma and universal gravitation."

Update 26 September 2020

I had a message from researcher Terence Bishop, who kindly extracted a whole batch of relevant quotes from Jacques Vallee's "Forbidden Science: Volume Two," as follows, which answer one or two questions I had left when I finished this blog. 

15 May 1976. "...got an interesting call from a vice-president with Environmental Systems in Van Nuys who'd read Invisible College belong to a UFO group at Douglas aircraft in Santa Monica as early as 1955. He worked there with Wheaten (now at Lockheed in the Submarine Division), Ted Gordon, Klemperer, and Dave Crook. They were asked by Douglas management to assess cases from Blue Book, complete with photos and films. Their conclusion which they were asked to "forget," was that the objects used multi-dimensional physics. " 15 October 1978. "A great deal of activity, if not research, is indeed going on about UFOs among government organizations. Kit has a friend in Houston who is close to Poher, and I've heard that Saunders was looking for correlations among the UFO data by plotting the sighting on a Forbidden sidereal time scale. Saunders works at Mathematica, a major computer contractor for the CIA. McDonnell-Douglas is continuing their quiet but well-funded study with John Schuessler, also monitored by the Agency. They seem to be looking for exotic alloys. Who is kidding? Why is the scientific community kept in the dark about these projects? Why all the secrecy? Where do the research results go? And what about the secret work in France? " 10 December 1974. "Kit reluctantly confirmed there was a group of 15 engineers in the Midwest (I assumed it was McDonnell in St. Louis) secretly doing UFO research for CIA under cover of “aeronautical research.” They're getting data through leaks from Cufos and other amateurs." - 16 April 1978 “That's what Mr. McDonnell said recently at the CIA. He came over to see the director, and told him point blank that he thought this was the most important area of research; he wanted a full briefing on our classified work in psi. Mr. Mac has just given a million and a half to the University of Washington School of Medicine to advance the state of the art in parapsychology, and he's also paying for a 7- million dollar building.”

“What did the Director say to that?”

“He asked him if he wasn't kept busy enough by the recent contracts he got from the government. As you may know, the U.S. has decided to sell lots of aircraft to Middle Eastern countries. McDonnell said he found time for parapsychology because that had the highest priority in his mind. As a result the Agency sent me to Kansas City to brief Mr. Mac for three days, on all American and Soviet work.” - 12 December 1978. "In Houston John Schuessler heads up McDonnell's operations at the Johnson spacecraft center, while another researcher, Dr. Richard Niemtzow, is doing cancer research in Galveston, one of the leading centers in the U.S. Both believe there are Alien bodies around, based on the elusive autopsy reports circulated by Len Stringfield." 21 October 1972. "Two rich fellows from Texas have come out of the blue with an offer to help Hynek. The so-called tycoons have also contacted Stanton Friedman, a physicist who was part of the secret CIA/Douglas aircraft study a few years ago and now lectures about UFOs." 5 January 1978. "Yesterday I received a phone call from a fellow who works with McDonnell-Douglas Astronautics. He told me that, “on a private basis,” he was compiling a new close encounter database. I am not stupid enough to believe that his company has no corporate interest in the matter. They have an on-going secret project, well-funded, with the blessing and official monitoring of the CIA and they're discreetly connected with major UFO groups, all of which love the secret intrigue of a link to the spooks even as they vilify “the government cover-up” in their public pronouncements. I am not playing that game; let others do it." 13 June 1978. "... men in black in Cufos investigation. Also, evidently the CIA has a contact inside Cufos, as it does among most UFO groups. Someone close to Hynek has leaked a pile of internal documents to Dave M. As soon as Dave got the Cufos papers his secure phone rang; a colonel requested to see them."

Japan and UAP

The Japan Times

On 28 April 2020, an article appeared in "The Japan Times" titled "Pentagon officially releases military videos of UFOs." The story told how the Pentagon had released officially released three videos showing "unidentified aerial phenomena." It went on to say:

 "In Tokyo, Defense Minister Taro Kono said Tuesday that Self Defense pilots had never witnessed a UFO. To be honest, I don't believe in UFOs," Kono said at a news conference. The minister said he would consider protocols for SDF pilots in case of encounters, including how to record and report any incidents."

In a 2 May 2020 follow-up article titled "Japan Defense Ministry to draft UFO protocols in response to U.S. footage," The Japan Times reported that:

"The Ministry will consider procedures for responding to, recording and reporting on UFO encounters as their unknown nature might cause confusion among Self Defense Forces pilots...Defense Minister Taro Kono said Tuesday that SDF pilots have never encountered UFOs but that the ministry will develop protocols for the possibility. According to the ministry, Air Self Defense Force fighter jets from seven bases ranging from Hokkaido to Okinawa are scrambled to monitor and identify aircraft of unknown nationality....If (UFOs) are encountered, training will be cancelled immediately,," an ASDF source said. "We will week to identify it from a safe distance, including whether it is a drone and report it to the Air Defense Direction Center for orders"...."To be honest, I don't believe in UFOs,"Kono said, "But because the Defense Department released such a video, I would like to hear from the U.S. side about its intentions and analysis."

Follow-ups 

Journalist Giuliano Marinkovic located details of a Japanese Defense Press press conference dated 8 September 2020, with the following question and answer (Google English translation) session:

Q. Regarding UFOs, I would like to ask about your coping policy. When I heard about it in May, I thought I would consider it but how is the status of the examination? Also, what are your thoughts on the cooperation between Japan and the United States when you find an unidentified flying object?

A. We will soon be dealing with the policy. Japan and the United States were talked about during the recent meeting with Secretary Esper in Guam. We must refrain from giving details, but we will continue to work closely.

Q. Does this mean that you have been collaboration on UFOs in the future?

A. I would like to refrain from giving a brief explanation of the details.

Later, in a Tweet dated 9 September 2020, Giuliano Marinkovic, advised he had located the following item .on a Japanese television station report.

"Policy to deal with "UFO" Minister Kono, "it will be soon."

Defense Minister Kono announced that he will soon announce a "coping policy" when the SDF encounters unidentified flying objects.

Defense Minister Kono: "We will soon discuss the policy regarding Japan and the United states, we talked about it during the meeting with Secretary Esper in Guam the other day."

Minister Kono confirmed at the Japan-US Defense Ministers meeting last month that the SDF and the US Forces have agreed to cooperate on UFOs (unidentified flying objects.) According to people involved in the Self Defense Forces there is eyewitness information that "I often saw it in the past" and in the future we [plan to consider taking measures such as taking pictures. In  April of this year, the US Department of Defense released a UFO video for the first time. The Japanese Ministry of Defense also indicated that Minister Kono would set procedures in case the SDF encounters a UFO."

Comment:

It will be interesting to see just what Japanese SDF protocols re UAP are put into place. It will also be interesting to see if US Secretary of Defense Esper, speaks to other countries about UAP.

Update: 16 September 2020

Thanks to Stig Agermose for drawing our attention to this follow-up:

"Japan's Defense Minister has instructed his ministry and Self-Defense Force personnel on what to do in the event they encounter unidentified flying objects, or UFOs.

Kono Taro issued the instructions on Monday. They call for reports to be made if anyone spots an unidentifiable object in the air that could affect the country's defense and security. The guidelines also urge all-out efforts to take photos or videos of the object to carry out necessary analysis. The Defense Ministry says the instructions were issued due to an increase in the use of drones and other objects that fly differently from conventional airplanes. Earlier this year, the US Defense Department released videos showing what it claims were UFOs, and set up a task force to investigate them.(Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20200914_33/?fbclid=IwAR1u9lN3saUGnDN5etbF86S_AENvTAsKipWmNGrcMf8rGPaR7P7OyfWd24Q)

September 2020 US Securities and Exchange Commission filing by TTSA

 A few days ago, To The Stars Academy of Arts and Science  (TTSA) filed its latest set of documents with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. One of the documents filed, is titled "The Company's Business." Previous editions of "The Company's Business" have provided such information about aspects of TTSA's operations, as Linda Moulton Howe's transfer of "Arts Parts" to TTSA; previously unknown details about SCOUT; and financial aspects of the ADAM Project. What do these latest documents provide, which previous editions have not?

The Entertainment Division

The "Monsters of California" feature film script has been completed and production is scheduled to commence in the Fall of 2020.

The plans for the release of a short film, "Poet Anderson" has been paused to allow for discussions on a full length movie.

Science and Technology Division

* The VAULT contents "...have been viewed over 24 million times."

* Projects still under consideration, are advanced quantum communications; aerospace technology; Beamed Energy Propulsion Launch Systems, and Space-Time Metrics Engineering.

* SCOUT (Signature Collection of UAP Tracker) is scheduled to launch in the summer of 2020, now delayed. Available via the iTunes App store and Google Play, later in 2020.

* ADAM (Acquisition and Data Analysis of Materials)  "The next series of scientific analysis on these metamaterials requires access to specialized equipment and our goal is that the tests will be conducted pursuant to the CRADA...the company is unable to estimate the scope, timeline, and cost of such efforts."

Due to COVID-19, "Laboratory tests which we planned to conduct pursuant to our ADAM Research Project was paused and will resume at some later date when laboratories resume normal operations."

Talks program

"In May 2020, the company launched a TTSA Talks Program that will feature conversations and interactive question and answer sessions with experts and other stakeholders that dive deep into the complexity of advanced technology problems, proposed solutions and the TTSA public benefit mission."

The seventh "observable"

 The five "observables"

On a number of occasions, Luis Elizondo has mentioned that the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) identified five "observables" concerning Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP.) These are:

1. Sudden and instantaneous acceleration.

2. Hypersonic velocities without signatures.

3. Low observability.

4. Trans media travel.

5. Positive lift.

In a post dated 11 August 2020, US researcher Danny Silva, spoke about a sixth AATIP "observable," namely, biological effects on humans. I would like to add a seventh "observable, " i.e. the effects that UAP have on our own technology.

UAP effects on our technology

Motor vehicles

Perhaps the most well know piece of our technology which has been long associated with UAP effects, is the motor vehicle. A typical example is the following:

At 6.35pm, on 8 August 1971, near the town of Kadina, South Australia, a man was driving alone when he noted his surroundings were lit up by an orange hue. Suddenly, the car's engine stopped and the car's lights went out. He was unable to restart the engine so stopped the car. Getting out of the vehicle, he noted an object some 150 feet above the car. During this time he noted a buzzing/purring noise was constantly audible. The object then departed to the south east, after 2-3 minutes of remaining stationary above him. Before losing sight of it, he got back in the car and successfully restarted the engine. 

In numerous other sightings, the engine, headlights, and radio of motor vehicles, have been affected. Perhaps, the classic collection of such cases is "UFO Reports Involving Vehicle Interference" authored by Mark Rodeghier, and published by the J Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies, in 1981. This collection and analysis, studied several hundred such cases, which illustrate the diverse nature of effects on motor vehicles due to the close proximity of UAP. 

Aircraft

The other piece of our technology which has been affected in some instances, are aircraft. One of the most comprehensive catalogues available, was compiled by French Researcher Dominique F. Weinstein, and published by the National Aviation Reporting Center on Anomalous Phenomena, (NARCAP) in 2001. Weinstein's work features details of several hundred cases of sightings involving aircrews, between 1916 and 2000. About 14% of cases feature electromagnetic effects to equipment onboard the aircraft, involving "radios, radar, compasses, engines ..."

Weinstein and Richard Haines took a closer look at EMF effects on aircraft in another 2001 NARCAP study, titled "A Preliminary Study of Fifty Seven Pilot Sighting Reports Involving Alleged Electro-Magnetic Effects on Aircraft Systems."

 Nuclear weapons

Image courtesy of Amazon Books

There have been a number of instances where nuclear missiles have reportedly been affected by UAP.. For example: 

US researcher Robert Hastings has documented a number of these, including an incident around 1977 at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota, where a now retired USAF Missile Security Supervisor related that unidentified lights had interfered with their ability to communicate with the launch sites. No missile could have been launched if required.

Robert L Salas reported on his involvement with an incident at Malstrom Air Force Base, Montana in March 1967, where numerous nuclear missile warheads were reportedly deactivated, and UAP observed. 

Other technology

In other cases involving UAP, there have been reported effects on numerous pieces of technology. For details of individual cases. I would recommend a viewing of the EMF category of the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP) website. Cases go back to at least 24 June 1947: 

"Prospector Fred M Johnson sighted five or six "round,  metallic looking discs" 30 feet in diameter, with tails or fins. He got a better look at one when he focused his telescope on it. As the discs banked in the sun 1000 feet overhead, Johnson, was surprised to see his compass needle was weaving back and forth . It ceased doing so as soon as the UFOs, which were in view less than a minute, headed off toward the southwest." (Clark, J. 1992."The UFO Encyclopedia: Volume Two," Omnigraphics, Detroit, page 129.)

Deliberate or accidental?

The debate has always been as to whether the effects we notice, are due to a byproduct of UAP, e.g. as a side effect of say a propulsion system; or a deliberate targeting of our technology. The fact that not every close encounter between our technology and UAP results in effects, would seem to argue for the latter.

Have blog readers, any thoughts as to other "observables?"