A Pentagon study released on Friday by the Defense Department's All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office has found no evidence of aliens or extraterrestrial intelligence in reported sightings of UFOs over the last century. The study, mandated by Congress, analyzed U.S. government investigations since 1945 of reported sightings of unidentified anomalous phenomena, more commonly known as UFOs. The report concluded that most sightings were simply misidentifications of ordinary objects and phenomena.

This report comes in the midst of ongoing efforts by officials to address the legions of reported UFO sightings that have captivated public attention for decades. A 2021 government report reviewed 144 sightings of aircraft or other devices flying at mysterious speeds or trajectories, finding no extraterrestrial links but calling for better data collection. Last summer, a retired Air Force intelligence officer testified to Congress about a longstanding program that allegedly retrieves and reverse engineers unidentified flying objects, but the Pentagon has denied these claims.

The authors of the report released on Friday emphasized the importance of applying rigorous scientific analysis to a subject that has long captured the American public's imagination. They acknowledged that the proliferation of media content centered on UFO-related topics has influenced public perception and reinforced beliefs about extraterrestrial life.

The unredacted 63-page report is the first of two volumes expected to be released by the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office, examining and analyzing information gathered by the U.S. government about UAP sightings. It states that there is no empirical evidence to support claims of government or private companies reverse-engineering extraterrestrial technology. The report aims to provide clarity and transparency regarding the government's historical record of UAP sightings, dispelling myths and misconceptions surrounding the topic.