What is a UAP, and how does it relate to UFO?
UAP means unidentified anomalous phenomenon. In official U.S. usage, it is a broader term than UFO and can include aerial, transmedium, or other anomalous observations that have not yet been identified.
Source-grounded answers
UAP and UFO FAQ
Short answers to common UAP, UFO, and UFO files questions, linked back to official-source topics and archive records where possible.
What is the difference between UAP and UFO?
UFO traditionally means unidentified flying object. UAP is the newer official term used in many government contexts because it avoids assuming the observation is an object or limited to flight.
What is AARO?
AARO is the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, a U.S. government office that receives and analyzes UAP reports. Many modern public UAP imagery records link back to AARO-related releases or official DVIDS records.
Are these UAP and UFO records official government documents?
The archive is an independent index, but it preserves links to public government source files, official DVIDS records, PDFs, images, and metadata where available. Important claims should be checked against the original source linked with each record.
Did the Pentagon confirm UFO videos?
U.S. defense channels have released or acknowledged several public UAP videos and records. That does not mean every object is identified as extraordinary; the archive keeps the official source page and case context together so each record can be checked directly.
What does “resolved” mean in AARO records?
Resolved means the official analysis has attributed the observation to a likely conventional explanation, such as birds, balloons, aircraft, or another non-anomalous source described in the source record.
What does “unresolved” mean?
Unresolved means the available data did not support a final identification at the time the official record was released. It is a status about the evidence in that record, not proof of a specific origin.
Where do the source files come from?
Source files come from public records indexed in the archive, including official DVIDS pages, government PDFs, images, and related metadata where available. File pages link back to the original asset or source page whenever the source record provides one.
Where can I find declassified UFO files?
Start with the Declassified UFO Files topic, then open the related case pages. Each case keeps the source record, agency context, media type, file IDs, and links to original files or official source pages when available.
What are Pentagon UFO videos?
In this archive, Pentagon UFO videos are official UAP video records connected to defense source pages, AARO case context, DVIDS metadata, or War.gov source rows. The phrase is used as a search bridge while the original record title remains visible.
Are FBI UFO files and photos included?
Yes. FBI photo groups, scanned records, PDFs, and related historical UFO records are kept as source groups and linked to the FBI UFO Files topic so the agency, file type, and related records are clearer.
Are NASA UFO files and Apollo records included?
Yes. NASA-related archive records include Apollo and Skylab documents, audio records, and NASA UAP study context where available. They are linked through the NASA UFO Files topic and their original case pages.
What does PURSUE mean in UAP files?
PURSUE is treated here as a search and source-reference term connected to Pentagon UAP files and modern disclosure records. Pages that mention it should still be checked against their original source rows, PDFs, or official source pages.