Overview
The U.S. Department of War announced today the launch of the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters (PURSUE), a secure digital platform that will allow federal, state, and local officials to submit reports of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) directly to the White House. The initiative builds on earlier inter‑agency efforts, such as the All‑Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), by creating a streamlined conduit for data that could improve national‑security assessments and increase public transparency regarding aerial encounters.
In a statement released on the department’s official .gov website, Secretary of Defense James Miller said, “PURSUE represents a decisive step toward a unified, accountable process for handling UAP reports. By linking frontline observers with the executive branch, we can better evaluate potential threats while maintaining the confidentiality that sensitive intelligence demands.” The system is now live and accessible through a dedicated, encrypted portal on the Department of War’s website.
How PURSUE Works
PURSUE is hosted on a secure HTTPS‑encrypted server and requires multi‑factor authentication for all users. Authorized personnel—from military pilots and intelligence analysts to civilian air‑traffic controllers—can upload incident data, including radar tracks, sensor logs, video or photographic evidence, and narrative descriptions. The platform automatically tags submissions with metadata such as time, location, and aircraft type, then forwards the package to a newly formed White House UAP Review Board.
The Review Board, chaired by a senior National Security Council official, will conduct an initial triage to determine the credibility of each report. Cases deemed of “high interest” will be escalated to the AARO for deeper technical analysis, while lower‑priority entries will be archived for future reference. All submissions are logged in a centralized database that will eventually be made available to congressional oversight committees under the provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act.
Security and Transparency
One of the primary motivations behind PURSUE is to reduce fragmentation in the way UAP data is collected. Historically, reports have been scattered across multiple agencies, leading to duplication and occasional loss of critical information. By funneling reports through a single, vetted channel, the Department of War hopes to mitigate those gaps while protecting classified sources.
At the same time, the administration has pledged to increase public transparency. Secretary Miller indicated that “an annual, de‑identified summary of PURSUE findings will be released to the public, providing a factual baseline without compromising operational security.” This approach mirrors the Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s recent public briefings on UAPs, but adds a direct line to the President’s office, signaling heightened executive interest.
Expected Impact
Analysts anticipate that PURSUE could sharpen the United States’ ability to differentiate genuine security threats from benign atmospheric or technological anomalies. By aggregating data in near real‑time, the system may enable faster decision‑making in scenarios where unidentified objects approach restricted airspace or critical infrastructure.
Moreover, the platform may encourage more consistent reporting from personnel who previously hesitated to file UAP sightings due to fear of stigma or bureaucratic hurdles. A 2023 survey of Air Force pilots found that over 30 % had observed unexplained aerial events but did not report them formally. PURSUE’s streamlined, confidential process aims to reverse that trend, potentially expanding the data pool for scientific and defense research.
Next Steps
The Department of War will conduct a 30‑day pilot phase involving selected military units, FAA officials, and state emergency management agencies. Feedback from this trial will inform refinements to the user interface, data classification protocols, and inter‑agency coordination mechanisms. Following the pilot, a full rollout is slated for early 2027, with the first public summary expected in the fiscal year 2028 budget request.
Congressional leaders have welcomed the development, with Representative Lisa Hart (R‑TX) noting, “A direct reporting line to the President enhances both oversight and national security. We look forward to reviewing the annual de‑identified reports and ensuring that taxpayer resources are used wisely.”
As PURSUE moves from concept to operational reality, its success will hinge on the willingness of observers to submit accurate information and on the government’s ability to analyze that data without compromising classified sources. If managed effectively, the system could mark a pivotal moment in the United States’ ongoing effort to understand—and responsibly respond to—unidentified aerial phenomena.
