Summary
This infrared video is assessed to have come from a U.S. military sensor operating in the U.S. Central Command region in 2020. After an empty opening, an area of contrast crosses the lower part of the frame and the sensor pans, zooms, and adjusts settings to track it for most of the clip. The nearly five-minute file was uploaded to a classified network in August 2020 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 2020, uploaded to a classified network in August 2020. The clip runs about four minutes and 52 seconds.
After an empty opening, an area of contrast enters and exits the lower right and lower left of the screen, and the sensor pans to center it. The sensor then zooms in and out repeatedly and changes visual settings to keep the object in view, with it remaining visible near the top of the frame at several points. AARO states the description is informational only, and the record was released through the PURSUE declassification.
