Summary
This infrared video is assessed to have come from a U.S. military sensor operating in the U.S. Central Command region in October 2020. The sensor tracks an area of contrast, then a second object enters and both remain visible briefly before the sensor follows them and they become indistinct against the background. The roughly four-minute file was uploaded to a classified network in October 2020 and released through the PURSUE declassification.
Detail
This Department of War video was identified by AARO among materials 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 October 2020, uploaded to a classified network that month. The clip runs about four minutes.
The sensor pans and zooms to track an area of contrast. A second area of contrast then enters from the upper left, and both remain in frame for roughly 15 seconds; the sensor follows the second object as the first exits at the bottom. Over the remainder the tracked object becomes increasingly indistinct against the background, with the sensor panning and cycling zoom levels. AARO states the description is informational only, and the record was released through the PURSUE declassification.
