255 413270 UFO's and Defense What Should we Prepare For

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498 Manzanita Ct.
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Ventura, CA 93001
April 30, 2001
Hi Dan
Jon (Cypher) and I look forward to seeing you on Friday at 3:30pm in your office.
Jon, you probably recall, is an actor who starred on "Hillstreet Blues" and "Major Dan,"
among many other TV shows, Broadway (wish you could hear him sing ''The Impossible
Dream" which he sang on Broadway in La Mancha), and movies. He's aJso a scholar
(and sings opera in four languages), and speaks eloquently about space. We've been
married for fifteen years.
Since I closed down the Institute for Security and Cooperation in Outer Space a few years
ago, which I founded in '83, we've both been searching for our role in promoting the
space program.
As you know, I was spokesperson for von Braun during the last years of his life. He had
me commit to finding the path to open the doors to space ... with his full and unlimited
vision. I think I've found a way to do it.
We're bringing you a package that will give you the idea. (Don't worry, it won't cost
you or NASA a dime.) And we'll only take as much time as you want ... even just a few
short minutes as I know how busy you are. But it's going to be worth this trip to hand
this to you in person.
Also, we'd love to take you (and yours) to lunch or dinner during the week we'll be in
DC. Possible?
See you Friday.
My best, ~~
Carol Rosin
805-641-1999
Cell 805-340-5121
Rosin@west.net
PS. The photo was taken at the US Space Foundation where we were keynote speakers.

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UFOs and Defense:
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·What Should We Prepare For?
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-An independent report on UFOs written by the French association
COMETA. This report details the results of a study by the Institute of
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Higher Studies for National Defence.­
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This paper originally appeared in a special issue of the magazine VSD
published in France in July 1999.
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UFOs and Defense
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--The COMETA Report-­
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"Stripping the UFO phenomenon ofits irralional layer"
Foreword by Professor Andre Lebeau, Former chairman of the Centre National
d'Etudes Spatiales
(CNES) (French National Center for Space Studies]
It is not looked on highly in certain scientific circles to be preoccupied with phenomena
that are deemed to come under the heading of popular mythology or that are, at any rate,
outside the realm ofscience. Such was the case with stones falling from the sky, which
was long considered in our country to be the stuffoffable. However, the day that a
meteorite shower over the town ofLaigle permitted a collective and indisputable
observation, it entered into the domain of science. One century later NASA, no doubt
hastily, elevated these stones to proof ofthe existence of primitive life on Mars.
_Phenomena ofthis type pose a preliminary problem for the scientific approach: does a
scientific fact exist?
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When the phenomenon is a matter ofexperimentation, the criterion to be used is simple~
the reproducibility of the experiment is the touchstone and furnishes the fact that must
then be interpreted. But the situation is more difficult when the phenomenon is not open
to experimentation, when repeated observation is the only basis on which one can go, as is
the case in astronomy and for the most part in geophysics. However, when the fact, albeit
rare, is collectively and indisputably visible, it is easy to elevate it to the status ofscientific
object. The existence ofeclipses, comets, and novas has been recognized_since ancient
times,._even though their interpretation long contained - and sometimes still contains - a
religious dimension. Thus collective and simultaneous observation plays the same role as
the reproducibility ofexperiments.
This is not true when the event is not only rare but discrete as well, and when there is a
very small amount ofevidence at each occurrence, which opens the door to various
suspicions. Unidentified flying objects, or UFOs, fall into this category. One runs up
against additional difficulties in the case of UFOs, firstly that of how many human
activities, especially since the beginning of the space age, have generated atmospheric
phenomena the origin ofwhich is not immediately ascertainable by those who observe
them. In any case, UFOs, the origin ofwhich cannot be attributed to either a human
source or a natural mechanism that has been identified by science, are mixed in with a
background noise the origin ofwhich, although difficult to identify, is not at all
mysterious.
Moreover, and above all, the existence ofunexplained manifestations, both in the
atmosphere and occasionally on the surface of the earth, inevitably gives rise to a
fundamental question: are we alone in the universe? Could some ofthese phenomena be
the work ofextraterrestrial beings? This question gives the UFO issue a sociological,
media-related, and even religious dimension in a domain that is not that ofscience and
scientific methods. And it is the very existence ofthis dimension that elicits reactions of
rejection in the scientific community.
However, a dispassionate examination of the situation should lead those who believe in
the value ofscientific method to consider that the very existence ofa strong irrational
environment is another reason to apply the precepts of this method to the issue ofUFOs.
COMET A has tried its luck at this in the report that it is presenting, supported, namely,
by the work performed by GEPAN, which later became SEPRA. The significant place
granted to sightings, to testimonies, and to the analysis ofcases that have been explained
shows the major role played here by the establishment offacts. But we also find in this

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document a reflection on the hypothesis ofextraterrestrial intelligence and of the
importance that it could have if studies came together to confirrn it.
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This report is useful in that it contributes toward stripping the phenomenon of UFOs of
its irrational layer. When aJI is said and done, the question ofdetennining whether or not
those who created this report believe in the exi~tence ofextraterrestrial visitors, concealed
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in a variety ofphenomena that are surprising in appearance but commonplace with respect
to their cause, is of no real importance. What a scienti?t believes is important in the
conducting of his research because this is what motivates and drives him. But his beliefis
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not important to the results of his research nor does it have any effect on those results if he
is rigorous.
Table of Contents
PREFACE
FOREWORD
INTRODUCTION
PART l
FACTS AND TESTIMONIES
Chapter 1
Testimonies ofFrench Pilots
Chapter 2
Aeronautical Cases Throughout the World
Chapter 3
Sightings from the Ground
Chapter 4
Close Encounters in France
Chapter 5
Counterexamples of Phenomena That Have Been Explained
PART 2
THE EXTENT OF OUR KNOWLEDGE
Chapter 6
Organization ofthe Research in France
Page 27
Chapter 7
Methods and Results ofGEP AN/SEPRA
Chapter 8
UFOs: Hypotheses, Modeling Attempts
Chapter 9
Organization ofthe Research Abroad
PART3
UFOs AND DEFENSE
Chapter 10 Strategic Planning
Chapter 11
Aeronautical Implications
Chapter 12 Scientific and Technical Implications
Chapter 13 Political and Religious Implications
Chapter 14 Media Implications
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
APPENDICES
Appendix 1 Radar Detection in France
Appendix 2 Astronomers' Sightings
Page 74
Appendix 3 Life in the Universe
Appendix 4 Colonization ofSpace
Appendix S The Roswell Affair - Disinforrnation
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Appendix 6 The Long History of the UFO Phenomenon - Elements ofa
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Chronology
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Appendix 7 Reflections on Various Psychological, Sociological,
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and Political Aspects ofthe UFO Phenomenon
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REFERENCES
Page 87
GLOSSARY
Page 90
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The photo section from pages 43 to 50, as well as pages 2 and 91, were not part of
the initial report.
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Publication of:
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for 99 years. Sole Chief Executive Officer: Daniel Denis. Publication Director: Daniel
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Denis. Art Director: Richard Y otis. Editorial Assistant: Jacques Peron. Illustrations and
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UFOs AND DEFENSE
What should we prepare for?
COtviETA, an association governed by the Law ofJuly 1, 1901.
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All reproduction, in whole or in part, translation, and adaptation rights reserved for all
countries. Copyright 1999.
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terminal ELL. Photoengraving: Key Graphic. Printing: Berger Levrault, 34, avenue du
Roule, 92220 Neuily-sur-Seine. Joint Appeals Board No.: 59521. ISSN 1278-916 X.
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Copyright deposit: July 1999.
© G.S. Presse Communication. The editorial department is not responsible for the loss of
or damage to texts or photos that are sent to it for consideration. Reproduction in whole
or in part ofany material published in the magazine is prohibited.
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Cover:
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Photo taken on September 4, 1971, directly over the Tilaran range in Central America
by an airplane from the National Geographic Institute ofCosta Rica (Bernard Thouanel
collection).
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"Concrete problems are raised that call for a response
in terms ofaction"
by General Bernard Norlain,
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Former director of the lnstitut des Hautes Etudes de Defense
Nation ale
(Institute for Advanced National Defense Studies
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(IBEDN)]
When General Letty visited me in March I995 at my office at IHEDN to explain to me
his project for creating a new committee for study of UFOs, I assured him ofmy interest
and referred him to the management ofthe IHEDN Auditors Association (AA), which •
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gave him its support. Knowing that some twenty years earlier the AA had produced and
published a preliminary report on the subject in its bulletin, it was but time to update it.
Denis Letty seemed to me to be the perfect one to spearhead this task~ one month
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earlier, in February, he had organized, within the framework ofthe Ecole de l' Air [Air
Force Academy] Alumni Association, a conference on unidentified aerospace phenomena.
Before a large public, some ofour comrades, former pilots, spontaneously related their
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encounters with UFOs. The person in charge ofstudying these phenomena at the CNES
then presented his results, and a well-known astronomer described a scientifically
acceptable version ofthe extraterrestrial hypothesis.
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The fields ofknowledge affected by the UFO phenomenon are very diverse, and
General Letty was able to find within the AA, but on the outside as well, numerous
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experts whose efforts h~ coordinated. The list of high-level civilian and military degrees
ofthe members ofhis committee is very impressive: officers, engineers, and specialists in
physics, life sciences, and social sciences were able to deal with all aspects ofthe study.
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This is not a purely academic study. Concrete problems are raised, and not only for
civilian and military pilots, that call for a response in tenns ofaction. The makeup of
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COMETA [Committee for In-Depth Studies], which is the name ofthe committee, took
these into account. Almost all ofits members have, or had during the course oftheir
careers, important responsibilities in defense, industry, teaching, research or various
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central administrations.
I express the wish that the recommendations ofCOMETA, which are inspired by good
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sense, will be examined and implemented by the authorities ofour country. The first
report of the AA favored the creation within CNES of the only civilian government agency
known in the world dedicated to the study ofUFOs. May this new report, which is much
more in-depth, give new impetus to our national efforts and to indispensable international
cooperation. IHEDN will then have well served the nation and, perhaps, humanity.
"Consider all oftile hypotheses"
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by Denis Letty,
Air Force General, 2nd Section, AA (35)
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The accumulation ofwell-documented sightings made by credible witnesses forces us
to consider from now on all of the hypotheses regarding the origin ofunidentifiedflying
objects, or UFOs, and the extraterrestrial hypothesis, in particular. UFOs are now a part
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ofour media environment; the films, television broadcasts, books, advertisements, etc.,
dealing with UFOs amply demonstrate this.
Although no characterized threat has been perceived to date in France, it seemed
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necessary to the former auditors of the Institut des Hautes Etudes de Defense Nationale
(IHEDN) to take stock ofthe subject. Along with qualified experts from extremely varied
backgrounds, they are grouped together to forrn a private in-depth fact-finding committee,
which was christened COMETA.
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This committee was transformed into a COMETA association, which I chair. I would
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like to thank General Bernard Norlain, former director ofIHEDN, and Mr. Andre Lebeau,
former chairman ofthe Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, without whom COMETA
would not have been born.
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In addition, I wish to acknowledge the various people who agreed to give their
testimony or to contribute to this study, and namely:
Jean-Jacques Velasco, Head ofSEPRA at CNES,
Fran~ois Louange, ChiefExecutive Officer ofFlex.image,
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Jean-Charles Duboc, Jean-Pierre Fartek, Rene Giraud, civilian and military
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pilots,
Edmond Campagnac, former technical director ofAir France at Antananarivo,
Michel Perrier, Squadron Commander, Gendannerie Nationale
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M. Soun, ofthe Direction Generale de !'Aviation Civile [Civil Aviation Agency]
Joseph Domange, Air Force General, Auditors Association delegate general.
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I must also thank the commander ofthe Afr Force Air Operations Command Center for
its participation during the investigation into flight AF 3532 on January 28, 1994.
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Among the members ofCOMETA who spared no effort for close to three years, it is
possible for me to list:
Michel Algrin, State Doctor ofPolitical Science, attorney-at-law, AA (35), (1)
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Pierre Bescond, Weapons Engineer General, 2nd Section, AA (48),
Denis Blancher, Chief of Police, Police Nationale, Ministry ofthe Interior,
Jean Dunglas, Doctor of Engineering (Ret.), in Water and Foredtry Management AR
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(48)
Bruno Le Moine, Air Force General, 2nd Section, AA (41 ),
Fran~oise Lepine, Fondation pour Jes Etudes de Defense [Foundation for Defense
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Studies], AA (33),
Christian Marchal, Chief Mining Engineer, Research Director at ONERA
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(National Aerospace Study and Research Office),
Marc Merlo, Admiral, 2nd Section, AA (35),
Alain Orszag, Doctor ofPhysical Sciences, Weapons Engineer General, 2nd
Section.
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(/): AA or AR xx: auditor of national or regional promotion no. xx.
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INTRODUCTION
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In 1976, a committee ofthe Institut des Hautes Etudes de Defense Nationale (IHEDN)
chaired by General Blanchard1 ofthe Gendarmerie Nationale1 opened the unidentified
flying objects file. The objective: to make proposals for organizing research and the
collection ofdata on these phenomena. The-goal was achieved, because the
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recommendations ofthis cornm.ittee were followed b,1 the creation of the Groupe d'Etude
des Phenomenes Aerospatiaux Non Identifies (GEPAN) [Unidentified Aerospace
Phenomena Study Group], the precursor to the current Service d'Expertise des
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Phenomenes de Rentree Atmospherique (SEPRA) [Atmospheric Reentry Phenomena
Consulting Department], a division of the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES),
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which is in charge ofthis file. Twenty years later, it seemed useful to us to take stock
once again ofthe knowledge regarding these sightings, which are becoming ofgreater and
greater interest to a large public that is often convinced ofthe extraterrestrial origin of
UFOs. Just look at the number offilms or television broadcasts on this subject.
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For the sake ofconvenience with respect to language, we will use the term UFO
(Unidentified Flying Object) generally1 instead ofthe more scientific term UAP
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(Unidentified Aerospace Phenomenon).
Without a doubt, the phenomenon remains and the number ofsightings, which are
completely unexplained despite the abundance and quality ofdata, is growing throughout
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the world. On the ground, some sightings, like the Trans-en-Provence sighting in 1981,
have been the subject ofin-depth studies proving that something did in fact land on the
ground and parked there. Civilian and military pilots have provided gripping visual
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testimonies, often corroborated by radar recordings, as was the case recently in France. In
view ofthe lack ofirrefutable proofregarding the origin of these phenomena, the need for
understanding persists.
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We will devote the first part ofthis report to several particularly remarkable French and
foreign cases.
In the second part, after having recalled the current organization of the research on
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these phenomena in France and abroad, we will evaluate the work being done by scientists
worldwide who are interested in UFOs and are proposing, as we will see, partial
explanations that are based on known laws ofphysics.
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Some ofthese (propulsion systems, non lethal weapons, etc.) could become realities in
the short, medium and long term.
We will review the principal global explanations proposed, focusing on those that are in
keeping with the current scientific data, which range from secret weapons to
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extraterrestrial manifestations.
The UFO phenomenon involves defense in the broad sense and calls for a certain
number of measures, which we will examine in the last part:
- [providing] civilian and military pilots with sufficient information to teach them an
adapted conduct when faced with these phenomena and, more generally, [providing] the
public and decision-makers with information,
- developing the actions ofSEPRA and promoting supplemental scientific monitoring,
or even research, actions,
- considering the strategic, political, and religious consequences ofa possible
confirmation ofthe extraterrestrial hypothesis, the bizarre connotation of which it is

advisable to eliminate here and now.
PART I
Facts and Testimonies
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Before going further, it seems worthwhile to us to present several facts and testimonies
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that in themselves justify the interest ofthe in-depth study that we are going to develop
below:
- three testimonies ofFrench civilian and military pilots who encountered UFOs in flight,
- five major aeronautical cases in the world,
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- three sightings frQm the ground,
- four cases ofclose encounters in France.
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These few examples are among the hundreds ofremarkable, that is to say credible and
well-documented, cases observed around the world in recent decades. None ofthese
cases has been explained, whereas the majority ohimes the investigations enable the origin
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ofthe phenomena observed by the witnesses to be determined; we will give two significant
examples of this.
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Chapter 1 - Testimonies of French Pilots
Three French pilots who encountered UFOs in flight came to testify before the
committee. Their testimonies are all the more interesting because they can be eva1uated
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better than other aerial phenomena since they pertain to the aeronautic world.
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1.1 M. Giraud, Mirage IV pilot (March 7, 1977).
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The sequence of events ofthis incident was reconstructed from radio exchanges
between the pilot and the controller, which are routinely recorded and kept for a specific
period oftime in accordance with the procedure in force at all control centers. The
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incident occurred on March 7, 1977, at around 2100 hours local time during the Dijon
flyover when the Mirage IV was returning, the automatic pilot engaged, to Luxeuil after a
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night mission. [The aircraft was] at an altitude of9600 m and flying at a speed of"Mach
0.9." The flight conditions were very good. The pilot (P), Herve Giraud, and his
navigator (N) observed a very bright glow at "3 o'clock" (time code) from their aircraft,
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at the same altitude, coming on a collision course and approaching very rapidly. We will
designate it "assailant" (A1) in the rest of the account. P queried the Contrexeville
military radar station that controlled them to ask whether they had a radar contact on the
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aircraft coming towards them. In fact, P and N thought that it was an air defense
interceptor, as is currently being used, that was seeking to intercept their aircraft to then
identify it with its identification beacon.
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The radar controller (C), who did not have a corresponding radar contact on his scope,
gave a negative response and asked the pilots to check their oxygen. This request on the
part ofthe controller is a standard emergency procedure; it shows that the controller is so
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surprised by the crew's question that he suspects an oxygen problem capable ofcausing a
"hallucination."
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"Assailant A I" maintained its course towards the Mirage IV. P initiated a bank to the
right toward A 1, a bank which he was forced to keep tightening (3 to 4 g) in order to try
to maintain visual contact on A I and to keep it from positioning itself to the rear. Despite
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this maneuver, A I moved behind the Mirage IV at an estimated distance of 1500 m. At
this point P reversed his bank to regain visual contact on A 1 . He saw the glow move
away to "11 o'clock." He resumed course to Luxeuil. But 45 seconds after he resumed
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course to Luxeuil, feeling like he was being "watched" according to his own words, P
told N, "you wait and see, it's going to come back." And in fact, an identical glow,
which we will call A2, appeared at "3 o'clock."
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P then initiated a very tight bank (6.5 g) to disengage his aircraft from what he now
considered to be a real threat. The glow followed the Mirage !Y's maneuver in order to
position itselfto the rear at an estimated distance of2000 m. P reversed, as before, and
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once again saw the glow disappear under the same conditions. C still did not have a radar
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contact on "assailant A2." P and N continued their flight and returned nonnally to the
Luxeuil base.
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Those are the facts. Two points should be emphasized:
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- only a combat aircraft could have had performance comparable to that of A 1 and A2
(speed, maneuverability). In this case, C would have had a radar contact on this aircraft,
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especially at that altitude, a contact that he would have seen all the better since there was
no other traffic in the vicinity ofthe Mirage lY.
• - given the apparent maneuvers of Al and A2, regardless ofwhether or not they were
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the same craft, their speed could only be supersonic, which, in the case ofcombat aircraft,
would be manifested on the ground by a very loud sonic boom due to the phenomenon of
the focusing of the shock wave generated by the bank. Th.is would have been noticed in
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the surrounding area, especially since it was nighttime. But no sound was heard in the
region.
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1.2 Testimony ofa Fighter Pilot (March 3, 1976)
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Since this pilot (P) wanted to preserve his anonymity, the following lines are extracted
from the written deposition that he wished to send to us (he revealed his name
subsequently~ he is Colonel Claude Bose). On March 3, 1976, P, then a student pilot at
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the Combat Flight School at Tours, was making a solo night flight in a T-33 training
aircraft. The mission consisted of navigating at an altitude of6000 m following a Rennes­
Nantes-Poitiers itinerary, then landing at Tours. Several aircraft were following the same
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itinerary at 5-minute intervals. The night was dark but cloudless, and the towns could be
detected very clearly at the flight altitude in question. Visibility was greater than 100 km.
While he was flying stabilized at an altitude of6000 m, at a speed of460 km/h, P first saw
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straight ahead, very far off in the distance (at the detection limit oflights on the ground)
what he at first thought was the launching ofa green signaling flare.
In 1 to 2 seconds, this flare exceeded the altitude ofhis aircraft by 1500 m and seemed
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to level offin space before descending in his direction. It approached at a dizzying speed
on a collision course with the aircraft and filled the entire front windshield of the cockpit.
Th.inking that impact was inevitable, P let go of the joystick and crossed his arms in front
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of his face in a reflex protection gesture. The aircraft was completely enveloped in a very
bright and phosphorescent green light. P saw a sphere (S) that avoided his aircraft at the
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very last moment and passed over his right wing grazing it, all within a fraction ofa
second. P retained the following memory ofthis incident:
- S was not very large ( l to 2 m in diameter),
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- S was extended by a tail, which was comparable to that on a comet, that was also a
fluorescent green color,
- the center ofS consisted ofa very bright white light (magnesium-fire type),
- the sighting lasted a total ofless than 5 seconds.
P, who was very shocked by this phenomenon, informed the radar controller (-)
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ensuring the control of the mission on the ground; the controller had not detected anything
on his radar scope. Upon return, two other pilots who had followed the same itinerary as
P stated that they had seen the phenomenon, but from a distance.
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1.3 Air France Flight AF 3532 (January 28, 1994)
Jean-Charles Duboc (P), captain ofAir France flight AF 3532, was assisted by Copilot
Valerie Chauffour (CP) in making the Nice-London connection on January 28, 1994. At
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1314 hours, while they were cruising at an altitude of 11,900 m in the vicinity of
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Coulommiers in Seine-et-Mame [Department] under excellent meteorological conditions,
the chief steward, who was present in the cockpit at the time, pointed out a phenomenon
that appeared to him to be a weather balloon. His sighting was immediately confinned by
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the copilot. P, who in tum saw it, first thought that it was an aircraft banking at a 45°
angle. Very quickly, however, all three agreed that what they were seeing did not
resemble anything that they knew of The excellent visibility and the presence of
altocumulus clouds permitted P to estimate that the phenomenon was at an altitude of
l 0,500 m and at a distance ofapproximately 50 km. Taking into account its apparent
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diameter, they deduced that the craft was large. They were struck by the changes in the
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shape ofthe craft, which first appeared in the form ofa brown bell before transforrning
into a chestnut brown lens shape, then disappearing almost instantaneously on the left side
ofthe aircraft, as ifit had suddenly become invisible. P reported to the Reims Air
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Navigation Control Center, which had no information on any mobile air presence in the
vicinity. However, following the existing procedure, Reims informed the Tavemy Air
Defense Operations Center (CODA) ofthe sighting made by the crew and asked P to
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follow the "Airmiss" procedure upon landing.
CODA did in fact record a radar track initiated by the Cinq-Mars-la-Pile control center
at the same time that corresponded in location and time to the phenomenon observed.
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This radar track, which was recorded for 50 seconds, did cross the trajectory offlight AF
3532 and did not correspond to any flight plan filed. It should be noted that the
phenomenon disappeared from the view ofthe crew and the radar scopes at the same
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instant. The investigations conducted by CODA enabled both the hypothesis ofa weather
balloon to be ruled out and the precise crossing distance ofthe two trajectories to be
determined, consequently bringing the approximate length ofthe craft to 250 min length.
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It should be noted that the Northern Regional Air Navigation Center (CRNA), which
handles 3000 movements per day, has investigated only three cases over the last seven
years, one ofwhich was that offlight AF 3532.
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Chapter 2 - Aeronautic Cases Throughout the World
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.,
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It is appropriate to specify that those cases that have been sighted from aircraft are
considered to be aeronautic cases. This chapter describes five significant cases that
occurred in different parts of the world and which were the subject ofan investigation by
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the authorities ofthe countries in question. In four cases, the objects were detected both
visually and by radar. In the fifth case, they were observed by a number ofindependent
.,
witnesses.
2.1 Lakenheath (United Kingdom) (August 13-14, 1956)
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The joint USAF - U.S. Air Force - and RAF [Royal Air Force] military bases of
Lakenheath and Bentwaters are located 30 km northeast ofCambridge with respect to the
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first and near the coast to the east ofthis city with respect to the second. Unknown aerial
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"
objects followed by their radars during the night ofAugust 13 to 14, 1956, were judged
··11nide111ified'' by the report published in 1969 by the Condon Commission tasked with
,:,
evaluating the research ofthe U.S. Air Force on UFOs (cf Chapter 9). In September
1971, the magazine Astronautics andAeronautics published a study of the case by Thayer,
the radar expert on the Condon Commission, which was based in part on a study
presented in 1969 by Professor MacDonald, an atmospheric physicist. For the record, we
~
point out that on several occasions, and namely in 1976, Philippe Klass, editor ofthe
journal Aviation Week and Space Technology, attempted to criticize this work and to
I
reduce the case to a series of ordinary events (meteorites, radar propagation anomalies,
etc.). The incidents began at the Bentwaters base, preceded, between 2100 and 2200
hours, by unusual sightings ofthe approach control radar [center], which we will not go
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into in further detail. They took place as follows:
- At 2255 hours, the radar detected an unidentified object moving east to west passing
over the base, always almost into the wind at an apparent speed of2000 to 4000 miles per
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hour (mph), or 3200 to 6400 km/h. No sonic boom was mentioned. The personnel ofthe
Bentwaters control tower said they saw a bright light flying over the ground from east to
west "at an incredible speed" at an altitude ofapproximately 1200 m. At the same time,
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the pilot ofa military transport plane flying over Bentwaters at an altitude of 1200 m
stated that a bright light passed under his plane tearing east to west "at an incredible
speed. " The two visual sightings confirmed the radar detection.
I.
- The Bentwaters radar operator reported these concurring radar and visual sightings to
the shift supervisor at the Lakenheath [air] traffic radar control center, an American
noncommissioned officer to whom we are indebted for a quite detailed report ofthese
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sightings and those that follow. The report, which was sent to the Condon Commission in
1968 by the then retired NCO, is coherent and does not contradict the documents in the
USAF [Project] Blue Book file except in a few minor points; among these documents, the
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regulation telex sent by Lakenheath to the Blue Book team on the day ofthe incident and
the report forwarded two weeks later to that same team by American Captain Holt, an
intelligence officer at Bentwaters.
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- The shift supervisor at the Lakenheath base alerted his radar operators. One ofthem
detected a stationary object approximately 40 km southwest ofthe base, almost in the axis
of the trajectory of the supersonic object seen at 2255 hours. The shift supervisor called
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the Lakenheath approach radar [center], which confirmed the sighting. The radar
technicians at the air traffic control center suddenly saw the object immediately go from
immobility to a speed of600 to 950 km/h. The shift supervisor notified the base
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commander.
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The object changed direction several times, describing line segments ranging from 13 to
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30 km, separated by abrupt stops for 3 to 6 minutes; the speed always went from a value
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ofzero to a value of some 950 km/h without any transition.
Visual sightings were made from the ground and confirmed the high speed and
astounding accelerations. The regulation telex sent by Lakenheath concluded: ''The.fact
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that radar and ground visual observations were made on its rapid acceleration and abntpt stop
certainly lend credence to the report."
- After 30 to 45 minutes, the RAF sent a night fighter, a Venom two-seater, in pursuit
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ofthe object. The Lakenheath air traffic radar control center guided it in the direction of
the object 1 0 km east ofthe center. The pilot acquired the target visually and on radar,
then lost it. The center then directed the plane 16 km to the east ofLakenheath; the pilot
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again acquired the target and said, "my machine guns are locked onto him. " A short time
afterward, he once again lost his target; but the target was followed by the radar operators
at the center. They informed the pilot that the object had made a rapid movement to
position itself behind him and was following him at a short distance. The pilot confirmed
(this]. Watched by the radar technicians, the pilot tried every maneuver for about I0
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minutes in order to move back behind the object (steep climbs, dives, sustained turns), but
he didn't succeed: the UFO followed him at a constant distance according to the ground
radar stations. Finally, low on fuel, he returned to base, asking that someone tell him
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whether the object continued to follow him. The UFO did, in fact, follow him for a short
distance, then came to a standstill. The radar technicians then saw the object make several
short moves, then leave in a northerly direction at about 950 km/h and disappear from
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radar range at 0330 hours.
- A Venom sent to replace the first had to quickly return to base due to mechanical
problems before having been able to establish contact with the object.
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Thayer concluded his article in the journal Astronautics and Aeronautics in this manner:
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"taking into consideration the high credibility ofinformation and cohesiveness and continuity
ofaccount. combined with a high degree of'strangeness', it is also certainly one ofthe most
disturbing UFO incidents known today."
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2.2 The RB-47 Aircraft in the United States (July 17, 1957)
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This case, which appears as "unidentified" in the Condon report, has been cited and
studied extensively for 40 years. Physicist James MacDonald published the results of his
investigation in 1971 in the journal Astronautics and Aeronautics. Phillip Klass, the
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aforementioned journalist, then endeavored in 1976 to trivialize the facts, which was
highly contestable from the outset. The bulk ofthis interpretation was refuted at the end
of 1997, upon completion ofan in-depth investigation contained in a memorandum from
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the aerospace technology researcher Brad Sparks.
We will summarize here the important sequences of events ofthe case, which show a
luminous unidentified flying object detected at night not only by sight and on radar, but
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also by pulsed microwave emissions coming from its direction:
The RB-4 7 was a bomber the bomb bays ofwhich had been converted to hold three
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officers each equipped with means enabling emissions from ground radar~ to be detected
and their azimuth direction, but not their distance or the nature ofthe signals, to be
specified. In the south central region of the United States, where the aircraft was making
a training flight that day, numerous radar stations were emitting signals the frequencies of
which were close to 3000 MHz and the pulses ofwhich lasted 1 microsecond and
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occurred every 600 microseconds. The radar~ scanned the horizon four times per minute.
Three other officers (pilot, copilot, navigator) were in the cockpit and, as a result,
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could themselves see out ofthe aircraft. The six officers were questioned by MacDonald
in 1969. They related that:
- The first incident took place above Mississippi, probably at around 09302 (0330 local
1·
time}, when the aircraft, going back to the north from the GulfofMexico, was
approaching the coast a little to the east ofthe Mississippi delta, flying at Mach 0. 75.
Captain MacClure detected on his screen a blip corresponding to a pulsed microwave
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source located behind and to the right ofthe RB-47 (at "S o'clock") that rapidly passed
the aircraft and turned around it, departing again on its left in the other direction (between
"6 o'clock and 9 o'clock"). The source was therefore airborne and supersonic. MacClure
1·
noted the characteristics ofthe signal: they were those ofthe aforementioned ground radar
stations, with the exception ofthe length ofthe pulses, which were 2 microseconds. He
did not report this incident immediately, thinking that it was perhaps·a malfunction ofthe
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electronics. As Klass writes, at the time there were no supersonic aircraft either in the
United States or in the USSR large enough to transport a radar, the signal from which
possessed the characteristics that were observed.
- The following incident occurred at 101OZ in Louisiana, when Commander Chase,
pilot, and Captain MacCoyd, copilot, saw an intense bluish-white light aim at the aircraft
from " 11 o'clock," then jump from their left to their right and disappear while it was at "2
o'clock." Klass showed that this object was perhaps a meteorite the trajectory of which
caused an optical illusion, but, at the time, Chase and MacCoyd wondered whether it
wasn't a UFO. Hearing them, MacClure remembered his prior detection and looked for a
signal ofthe same type.
- He found this signal at 10302, which was identical to the previous one and, perhaps
by coincidence, came from "2 o'clock." This signal was confirmed by Captain
1·
Provenzano, whose detector was itself also able to operate at around 3000 MHz. It could
not have been the signal from a fixed radar, because its ''2 o' clock" direction remained
unchanged when the aircraft followed its route to the west for several minutes. The
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aircraft entered Texas, then came within range of the "Utah" radar [center] located near
Dallas. The crew reported to Utah, which detected both the aircraft and an object
maintaining a constant distance of 18 km from it.
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- At 10392, still in Texas, Commander Chase perceived a large red light, which he
estimated was moving 1500 m below the aircraft at approximately "2 o'clock." The
aircraft was flying at an altitude of 10,500 m, and the weather was perfectly clear.
t
Although the commander was not able to determine either the shape or the size ofthe
object, he had the distinct impression that the light was emanating from the top of the
object.
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At 10402, he received authorization to pursue this object and notified Utah. He
slowed down, then accelerated; Utah informed him that the object was mirroring his
movements, all the while maintaining a constant distance of 18 km.
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- At 10422, Chase accelerated and saw the red object tum to the right in the direction
ofDallas; this was confirmed by MacClure.
- At around 10502, a little to the west ofDallas, the object stopped and simultaneously
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disappeared from the view of the radar(~) (Utah and the onboard radar that had just
detected the object when the RB-47 had approached it) and from MacClure's screen (the
disappearance ofan object from a radar screen is less surprising nowadays; it calls to mind
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the active stealth technologies currently in development ifnot in operation). The aircraft
then banked to the left. MacClure picked up a signal that was perhaps the one from Utah.
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Visual and radar contact were regained.
At 10522, Chase saw the object drop to around 4500 m. He had the RB-47 make a
dive from 10,500 to 6000 m. The object then disappeared from his view, from the
Utah radar, and from MacClure' s screen simultaneously.
- At 10572, still near Dallas, the object reappeared on MacClure's screen, and
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Utah indicated
that it had prepared a "CIRVIS" (Communications Instructions for Reporting Vital
Intelligence Sightings) report, a secret urgent radio report sent to the Air Defense
Command, which is mandatory in the event ofa sighting by the Air Force of an
unidentified aerial object. At 1058Z, the pilot regained visual contact at ''2 o'clock." A
few minutes later, seeing his fuel reserves drop, he decided to return and headed roughly
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north toward Oklahoma City. The object then positioned itself behind the aircraft at a
distance of 18 km, as reported by Utah, which tried to send fighter jets in pursuit ofthe
unknown [object]. The object, flowing lower than the RB-47 and behind it, could not be
seen from the cockpit, but it was detected on MacClure' s screen until Oklahoma City, well
outside the range ofthe Utah radar. Then it suddenly disappeared from the screen at
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11402.
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2.3 Tehran (September 18 to 19, 1976)
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This incident took place during the night of September 18 to 19, 1976. Different
newspapers worldwide reported it more or less accurately: for example, France-Soir in
the September 21st issue. An American citizen took laborious steps with the U.S.
I
authorities to obtain a report, invoking the freedom of information act. He finally obtained
it from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). Other U.S. documents have been obtained
I
since then.
Interviews with generals and the Iranian air [traffic] controller involved in this affair
enabled the DIA report to be confirmed and supplemented a bit, namely with the mention
I,
ofproper names. The following summary resulted from a reading ofthe all the
information:
- At around 11:00 p.m. on September 18, the Tehran airport control tower received
I
several calls reporting a strange immobile luminous object in the sky above the Shemiran
residential district in the northern part ofthe capital. The person in charge ofthe night
shift, Hossain Perouzi, went out to look at the object with binoculars. He testified that he
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saw a rectangle, probably corresponding to a cylindrical object, the ends ofwhich pulsed
bluish-white lights. In the middle ofthe object, a small red light described a circle.
Perouzi reported this strange sighting to the Imperial Air Force Command, which alerted
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General Youssefi, the third in command ofthis air force. He went out on his balcony and
saw an object similar to a star, but much bigger and brighter~ he ordered a Phantom F-4
reaction aircraft, the mission ofwhich he directed through Perouzi as intermediary.
When the F-4 came to 45 km from the object, its flight instruments and all its means of
communication (radio and intercom) suddenly stopped working. The pilot aborted the
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interception and headed for his base. The crew then regained use oftheir instruments and
means of communication.
- A second F-4 was sent by General Youssefi. The UFO's echo on its screen was
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similar to that of a Boeing 707. The F-4 approached the UFO at a relative speed of280
km/h. When it came to 45 km from it, the UFO accelerated and maintained a constant
distance of45 km from the F-4. The crew was not able to determine the size ofthe object
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because it shone so intensely. Its brightness came from lights arranged in a rectangle,
changing rapidly from glue to green, to red, and to orange.
- Suddenly a bright object with an apparent diameter one half or one third of that ofthe
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moon exited the UFO and headed rapidly for the F-4. The pilot tried to shoot a
Sidewinder missile at the object, but at the same instant his fire control console and his
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means ofcommunication (radio and intercom) became inoperable. He promptly initiated a
bank and a dive, but the object changed direction and pursued the aircraft at a distance of
approximately 6 km. Finally, the object moved inside the F-4's bank and departed in order
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to reenter the UFO from which it had exited.
- A short time afterwards, an object again exited the UFO and rapidly headed straight
down to the ground. The F-4 crew waited to see it explode, but the object seemed to
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touch down gently and shine a very bright light over an area 2 to 3 km in diameter. The
crew, momentarily blinded, orbited long enough to recover their night vision before
landing at the Tehran airfield. It noted that it lost communications (radio and intercom)
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whenever their aircraft crossed a certain zone. It should be pointed out that a civilian
aircraft also lost communications when it crossed that zone. The next day, the crew was
taken by helicopter to the place where the object had apparently landed, a dried up lake,
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but it didn't find any trace [of the object].
An attached note from DIA was just as astonishing as the report itself; it indicated that
the information had been confirmed-by other sources and ended with this assessment:
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"An outstanding report. This case is a classic which meets all the criteria necessary for a valid
study ofthe UFO phenomenon. "
!!:. The obiect was seen by multiple witnesses from different locations ... ,
!!.:. The credibility ofmany ofthe witnesses was high (an Air Force General, qualified aircrews, and
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experienced radar operators),
s Visual sightings were confirmed br radar,
4.. Similar electromagnetic effects (EME) were reported by three separate aircraft,
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~ There were physiological effects on some crew members (i.e. loss of night vision due to the
brightness o[the obiect),
.f An inordinate amount ofmaneuverability was displayedby the UFOs."
·1
The attempt by KJass to trivialize this case shows how solid it is.
2.4 Russia (March 21, 1990)
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This case took place at night in the Pereslavl-Zalesski region east ofMoscow. It was
reported in an article by Aviation General Igor Maltsev, Air Defense Forces commander,
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which appeared in the newspaper Rabochaya Tribzma ("Workers' Tribune") on April 19,
1990, entitled "UFOs on Air Defense Radars" (cf the book by Marie Galbraith
referenced in Chapter 9. 1 ).
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The article mentions the dispatch ofcombat aircraft on a mission to intercept the UFOs
detected. General Maltsev, who summarized over one hundred visual sightings coHected
by unit commanders, stated:
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"I am not a specialist in UFOs, and therefore I can only correlate the data and express mv own
supposition. According to the evidence o[these eyewitnesses, the UFO is a disk with a diameter from
JOO to 200 meters /320 to 650 (eets/. Two pulsating lights were positioned on its sides ... Moreover, the
·1
object rotated around its axis and performed an 'S-turn' flight both in the vertical and horitontal
planes. Next the UFO hovered above the ground and then flew with a speed exceeding that ofthe
modern iet fighter bv two or three times .. The obiects flew at altitudes ranging from JOO to 7000 m.
(300 to 24,000 feet/. The movement o[the UFOs was not accompanied by sound o(anr kind and was
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distinguished by its startling maneuverability. It seemed the UFOs were completelv devoid o[inertia.
In other words, they had somehow 'come to terms' with gravity. At the present time, terrestrial
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machines could hardh· have such capabilities. "
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2.5 San Carlos de Bariloche (July 31, 1995)
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Source SEPRA
Aerolineas Argentinas flight AR 674, a Boeing 727 en route from Buenos Aires, was
140 km from San Carlos de Bariloche, a tourist resort in the central Andes where it was
I
preparing to land.
I
At that precise instant, a power outage plunged the town into darkness, and the pilot
received the order to stay on standby for a few minutes before making his final approach.
When he began his approach, the pilot noticed a strange star. At the same time, the
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control center put a second airplane that had arrived in the sector on standby. Flight AR
674 continued its approach, but when it had completed its tum and was in the ax.is ofthe
runway, an object resembling a large aircraft appeared on its right side and flew parallel to
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it! This object had three lights, one ofwhich was red, in the middle ofit. The airport
lights failed again, and the runway and approach ramp lights also went out. The airplane
on standby observed the same phenomenon from its position.
I
Since the pilot could not land, he pulled up and turned again in order to reposition
himself in the ax.is ofthe runway. At that moment, the object, which had become
luminous, moved behind the airplane, stopped, ascended vertically, and once again
stopped. It moved back in front ofthe airplane before finally disappearing in the direction
ofthe Andes Cordillera. The crew and passengers offlight AR 674, those on the other
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airplane, the airport controllers, and some ofthe inhabitants of San Carlos watched this
unusual aerial ballet dumbfounded.
I
-
This case is interesting in more than one respect:
·1
the sighting was corroborated by multiple independent observers both in flight and on
the ground,
- the phenomenon lasted several minutes,
I
- there were different trajectories, some ofwhich closely followed those ofthe airplane,
- there was an observation ofan electromagnetic phenomenon (the lights ofth~ town
and the airport went out) directly related to the presence of the object.
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Chapter 3 - Sightings from the Ground
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This chapter deals with sightings from the ground, two ofwhich were reported to the
committee by direct witnesses ofthe phenomena observed. Here agai~ their testimonies
are all the more interesting since they pertain to the aeronautic world and the phenomena
were observed during the day.
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3.1 Phenomenon Observed by Numerous Witnesses at Antananarivo (August 16,
1954)
Testimony before the commitlee
Edmond Campagnac (C), a fonner artillery officer and former chief of technical
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services for Air France in Madagascar who is now retired, came to testify before the
committee. The phenomenon described below occurred on August 16, 1954, in
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Antananarivo. It was seen by several hundred witnesses.
At 1700 hours, when the personnel ofthe Air France office were waiting for the mail to
I
anive, someone spotted a "large ·· green "ball" in the sky moving at high speed. The first
thought ofthe witnesses was that it was a meteorite. The phenomenon disappeared
behind a hill, and they thought that the green ball was going to crash into the ground and
,
,
that they were going to feel the impact.
However, it reappeared after a minute. In passing directly over the observers, it
revealed itselfto be "a sort ofmetal rugby hall preceded by a clearly detachedgreen
I
lens/-shapedportion] with sparks issuingfrom the rear." In the estimation ofthe
witnesses, the "ball" was the length ofa DC4 airplane, or some forty meters long. The
green lens[-shaped portion] separated itself [ and remained] a little less than 40 m out in
I
front, with fairly long sparks [ coming out] in the rear. The craft flew over Antananarivo at
an estimated height of50 to 100 meters, an estimation that was made possible by
comparison with the height ofa nearby hill. When the craft was moving, shop lights went
I
out, and animals exhibited a real anxiety.
e
After having flown over Antananarivo, the craft departed in a westerly direction. When
it flew over the zebu park in the town, the craft caused a violent fright reaction among
them. This is a surprising detail, since normally these animals do not show any agitation
when Air France planes pass by. Two or three minutes later, an identical craft was
observed 150 km from there above a farm school. There, too, the herds were overcome
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with panic. Ifthe craft sighted was the same one as the one in Antananarivo, its speed
would have had to be on the order of3000 km/h. According to C's account, General
Fleurquin, Commander-in-Chief in Madagascar, assembled a "scientific commission" to
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conduct an investigation into these phenomena. No trace ofthis investigation could be
found in the Air Force archives; however, GEPA (Groupe d'Etudes des Phenomenes
Aerospatiaux [Aerospace Phenomena Study Group]) bulletin no. 6 ofthe 2nd half of 1964
I
described this sighting.
3.2 Sighting by a Pilot ofa Saucer Close to the Ground (December 9, 1979)
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GEPANISEPRA investigation and testimony before the committee
At the time ofthe incident, former Air Force Lieutenant-Colonel Jean-Pierre Fartek (F)
I
was a Mirage III pilot in the 2nd fighter squadron at Dijon. F is currently a pilot for a
private company. F was living, and still lives, in the same village near Dijon. His house is
located at the end ofa housing development looking out onto fields. Approximately 250
I
m away is a grove oftrees with an average height of 15 mat maximum. On December 9,
1979, at around 9: 15 a.m., F and his wife saw an unusual object (hereinafter called M) in
the field near their house. The weather and visibility were excellent. M, the dimensions of
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which they estimated to be 20 m in diameter by 7 m thick, was hovering approximately 3
m above the g round in front of the grove of trees, which partially concealed it. In
complete agreement with his wife, witness F described it as:
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- having the shape oftwo superposed saucers with very distinct contours inverted one
on top of the other and not exhibiting any portholes or lights,
- being metallic gray on the upper portion and darker (bluish) on the lower portion,
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with a perfectly delimited separation between the upper side and the underside ofthe craft.
Th.is color difference could not be due to a difference in lighting given the position of the
sun,
i
- in constant motion as a result of~ slight oscillations, the frequency of which was
not very rapid, like something trying to balance,
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- not making any noise,
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-
- not causing any turbulence on the ground either when it hovered or when it departed,
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not having left any trace on the ground.
After observing it for a period of time which was hard· for him to determine, F saw M
oscillate faster; he had the impression that M tilted slightly forward (as a helicopter does
after lift-off when it begins level flight). F saw M leave in a horizontal direction at a very
low altitude without making any noise, without leaving any trail, and at a very high speed
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and disappear on the horizon in a few seconds. F reported [the incident] to the
Gendarmerie de l'Air at the Dijon air base. He thought that other people had seen the
phenomenon but had not dared to go report it, namely, his neighbors and their cruldren,
I
who reportedly made the same sighting.
This sighting by a pilot professionally well informed ofaeronautical phenomena was
never explained.
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3.3 A Case of Multiple Witnesses at a Russian Missile Base (July 28-29, 1989)
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Heading the UFO reports declassified by the KGB in 1991 is a file relating to an army
missile base near Kapustin Yar in the region ofAstrakhan, wruch was related in Marie
Galbraith's book (cf. Chapter 9.1). The English-speaking public learned ofit through the
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Muscovite journal A URA-Z ofMarch 1993. Military personnel from two centers on the
base prepared written depositions of their visual sightings, wruch were made under good
visibility conditions. The file, which is incomplete, does not mention any possible radar
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detections. It begins with a brief summary ofthe case, the author ofwhich was an
I
anonymous KGB officer, followed by an account of seven written testimonies:
- Five testimonies from the first center were provided by Lieutenant Klimenko, two
corporals, and two soldiers. On the night ofJuly 28 to 29, these military personnel sighted
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UFOs between 2215 and 2355 hours at a distance of3 to 5 km. Up to three objects were
seen simultaneously. One object silently made jerky movements, with very abrupt starts
and stops, and periods of immobility. All ofthe witnesses saw a fighter jet attempt to
approach one UFO, wruch escaped at lightning speed, "giving the impression that the
aircraft was hovering. " Only the noise from the aircraft was heard, whereas the UFO
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must have reached supersonic speed.
- Two other testimonies from a center near the first one concern the sighting of a UFO
from 2330 to 0130 hours at a distance ranging from a few kilometers to 300 m. This UFO
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was described by Second Lieutenant Volochine as a disk 4-5 min diameter, surmounted
by a brightly lit hemispherical dome. The second lieutenant attached a sketch ofthe
saucer torus deposition. The saucer sometimes moved abruptly, but soundlessly, and
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sometimes remained immobile 20-60 m above the ground. In the company ofsoldier
Tichaev, Volocrune saw it emitting a phosphorescent green light, hovering 300 m from
them and some 20 m above a missile depot; it illuminated this depot for several seconds
with a moving beam oflight.
,
,
In a report that was consistent with the report of his superior, soldier Tichaev stressed
the lack of noise made by the object, even when a short distance away, which prevented
I
him from confusing it with a helicopter. The two witnesses, who were joined after some
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time by the guard team, had watched the maneuvers of the object above the center and the
surrounding area for two hours.
Chapter 4 - Close Encounters in France
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4.1 Valensole, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence (Department] (July 1, 1965)
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In-depth investigation by the Gendarmerie Nationale
At Valensole on July 1, 1965, Maurice Masse, who left his home at 5:00 a.m., headed
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for his lavender fields located on the plateau near the village. Before starting his tractor at
around 6:00 a.m., he lit a cigarette and at that moment heard a hissing sound that attracted
his attention. Emerging from behind a pile of stones, he saw an object resting in his field
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approximately 90 m from him. Its shape was reminiscent ofthat ofa "Dauphine"
automobile standing on six legs with a central pivot. He approached it with caution, at a
distance often meters or so, thinking he might surprise people about to steal his lavender
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from him. He then saw two small beings, one ofwhom, who was turned in his direction,
reportedly pointed a tube at him that he took from a sort of bag hanging on his left side.
Maurice Masse indicated that he was totally immobilized in place, numbed and paralyzed,
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but completely aware ofthe events that were unfolding before his eyes. The two beings
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then got back in their craft. He watched them while they were behind a sort ofdome, and
he heard a heavy noise when the object lifted up offthe ground. He also remarked that
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the tube that was under the object, touching the ground, began to tum, as well as the six
·.A
legs, which retracted under the machine. The object then ascended in a vertical direction
before tilting diagonally and disappearing more rapidly than a jet. Maurice Masse
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remained immobilized in this manner for about 15 minutes before coming to, then
resuming his work and going to tell his story in the village, where the gendarmes, having
learned ofthe incident, questioned him during the day.
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The Valensole gendarmerie force, then the Digne investigations squad, investigated this
case for several days. The investigations ofthe gendarmerie established the existence, at
the spot indicated by Maurice Masse, ofa depression impressed into the ground, which
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had been soaked in that place. In the center ofit was a cylindrical hole 18 cm in diameter
and 40 cm deep with smooth walls. At the bottom ofthe hole were three other bent holes
6 cm in diameter. Along the object's axis offlight, over some one hundred meters, the
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lavender beds were dried up. This phenomenon lasted for several years, during which time
the witness tried in vain to replant the plants within a radius ofseveral meters around the
tracks.
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Despite a few contradictory elements in Maurice Masse's account, the data collected by
the two gendarme brigades confirmed the plausibility ofthe facts, particularly the effect on
the environment and on the witness himself, who slept twelve to fifteen hours a night,
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followed by the paralysis ofwhich he had been a victim, for several months. The
investigation into the witness's character did not turn up any specific information that
would permit one to suspect him ofmythomaniac behavior or ofstaging a hoax.
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4.2 Cussac, Cantal (Department] (August 29, 1967)
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GEPAN/SEP RA investigation
The Cussac incident has occupied a special place among the UFO cases, since a second
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inquiry was conducted in 1978, as an example, at the request ofthe GEP AN scientific
council. On August 29, 1967, at around 10:30 a.m., during a beautiful sunny morning on
the high plateaus in the center ofFrance, two young children were watching the family's
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herd. The dog that accompanied them alerted them that a cow was getting ready to jump
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over the low wall ofthe enclosure. The boy, who was 13 years old at the time, got up to
make the cow come back, when he spotted four children whom he did not recognize on
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the other side ofthe road.
Surprised by what he saw, he called his sister, when he noticed an extremely bright sphere
back behind the unknown children. They then realized that these were not children but
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small black beings whose height did not exceed 1.20 m. Two ofthem were standing next
to the sphere, another was kneeling before it, and the fourth, who was standing, held in its
hand a sort ofmirror that blinded the children. The boy tried to call out to them, but the
small beings then hurriedly returned to the sphere. The children saw them rise from the
ground and penetrate the ball from the top, diving in head first. The sphere took off with
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a hissing sound, then rose into the sky describing a continuous spiral movement at high
speed. The dog barked, the cows started to moo, and a very strong odor ofsulfur filled
the air. The second inquiry began in 1978 with a team ofinvestigators from GEP AN and
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qualified outside advisors, one ofwhom was a former examining magistrate.
The highlights ofthis second inquiry did not have to do with the facts or the account, but
with new elements such as secondary witnesses found at the site who provided
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supplemental information and strengthened the credibility ofthe case. In particular, a
gendarme who arrived on the scene immediately following the incident found tracks on the
ground at the place indicated by the children and noted the very strong odor ofsulfur.
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Likewise, another witness also came forward who admitted being in a granary close to the
site and clearly remembered a hissing sound very different from that ofa helicopter ofthe
time.
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The reconstruction at the site in the presence ofthe two main witnesses confirmed both
the descriptive accounts and the circumstances that followed the sighting. At the time the
children gave offa strong odor ofsulfur, but, above all, they suffered from physiological
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disorders, and their eyes ran for several days. These facts were certified by the family
doctor and confirmed by their father, who was mayor ofthe village at the time. In the
conclusion ofthis_, second inquirythe judge gave his opinion on the witnesses and their
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testimony: "There is noflaw or inconsistency in these various elements that permit us to
doubt the sincerity ofthe witnesses or to reasonably suspect an invention, hoax, or
hallucination. Under these circumstances, despite the young age ofthe principal
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witnesses, andas extraordinary as the facts that they have related seem to be, I think
that they actually observed them. "
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4.3 Trans-en-Provence, Var [Department] (January 8, 1981)
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GEPANISEPRA investigation
I
In Trans-en-Provence on January 8, 198 1, at around 5: 00 p. m., a man who was
building a small shed for a water pump in his garden reportedly was witness to what is
perhaps one ofthe most unusual cases ever observed and studied in France. A reflection
ofthe sun on something moving in the sky supposedly attracted his attention, allowing him
to observe the descent, then the abrupt landing on a platform ofearth located below his
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house, ofa silent metal object. The object, which was ovoid in shape, did not exhibit any
apparent projections, wings, control surfaces, or engine that would permit one to liken it
to some type ofaircraft. The object rested on the platform ofearth for a few short
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seconds, still without emitting any noise, then it took offand disappeared at high speed in
the azure blue sky. The account could stop at this simple visual sighting if there hadn't
been visible mechanical tracks and imprints in the shape ofa crown, which pushed the case
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into the domain ofthe unexplained.
The gendarmerie and then GEPAN conducted an in-depth investigation including
numerous interviews with the witness and his neighbors. The expert's appraisals ofthe
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ground - the talcing ofsoil and plant samples followed by analyses - showed unequivocally
that it really was a case ofan unidentified heavy metal object that had actually landed on
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the platform ofearth. The analyses of plant samples taken at the site indicated that they
were not dealing with any type of [known] aircraft, or even a helicopter or military drone,
which were hypotheses that were considered and analyzed.
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The vegetation at the landing site - a sort ofwild alfalfa - had been profoundly marked
and affected by an external agent that considerably altered the photosynthesis apparatus.
In fact, the chlorophyll, as well as certain amino acids ofthe plants, exhibited significant
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variations in concentration, variations which decreased with the distance [ ofthe plants]
from the center ofthe mechanical track. These effects disappeared completely two years
later, thus revealing a specific and particular type oftraum·a. According to Professor
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Michel Bounias ofthe ecology and plant toxicology laboratory oflNRA [National
Institute for Agronomic Research] who performed the analyses, the cause ofthe profound
disturbances suffered by the vegetation present in that ecosystem could likely be a
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powerful pulsed electromagnetic field in the high frequency (microwave) range. Studies
and research are still being conducted in regard to this case and numerous leads have been
explored. None ofthese leads has-been able to satisfy all ofthe conditions that would
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enable the object that landed in Trans-en-Provence on January 8, 1981, to be identified
with certainty, and this is all the more true with respect to the detennination ofits origin.
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4.4 Nancy, Meurthe-et-Moselle [Department], the so-called "Amaranth" Case
(October 21, 1982)
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GEPANISEPRA investigation
The "Amaranth" Case concerns the sighting during the day by a witness, a cellular
biology researcher, ofan object that hovered above his garden for 20 minutes. The
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testimony recorded by the gendarmerie less than 5 hours after the sighting is summarized
as follows:
- The witness was in his garden in front of his house at around 12:35 a.m. after work
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on October 21, 1982; he saw a flying craft, which he first took for an airplane, come from
the southeast. He saw a shiny craft. He indicated that there were no clouds, that the sun
was not in his eyes, and that visibility was excellent. The craft's speed ofdescent was not
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very great, and he thought that it was going to pass over his house. Once he realized that
the trajectory ofthe craft was bringing it toward him, he backed up 3 to 4 meters. This
craft, which was oval in shape, stopped approximately one meter from the ground and
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remained hovering at this height for about 20 minutes.
- The witness stated that since he had looked at his watch, he was absolutely certain
about the length oftime the craft hovered. He described the craft as follows: ovoid in
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shape, approximately I min diameter, 80 cm thick, the bottom halfmetallic in appearance
like polished beryllium and the upper half the blue-green color of the inner depths ofa
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lagoon. The craft did not emit any noise, nor did it seem to emit any heat, cold, radiation,
magnetism, or electromagnetism. After 20 minutes, the craft suddenly rose straight up, a
trajectory which it maintained until it was out ofsight. The craft' s departure was very
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fast, as if it were under the effect ofstrong suction. The witness indicated, finally, that
there were no tracks or marks on the ground and the grass was not charred or flattened,
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but he did remark that when the craft departed, the grass stood straight up, then returned
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to its normal position.
The interest ofthis sighting, apart from its strangeness, lies in the visible traces left on
the vegetation and, namely, on an amaranth bush, the tips of whose leaves, which had
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completely dried up, led one to think that they had been subjected to intense electrical
fields. However, despite short time delays before intervention, the sampling conditions
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and then the storage ofthe sample did not permit this hypothesis to be verified definitively.
Based on an earlier study on the behavior of plants subjected to electrical fields, it
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-
emerged that:
- the electrical field, which was what probably caused the blades ofgrass to lift up, had
to have exceeded 30 kV/m,
the effects on the amaranth that were observed were probably due to an electrical
field that had to have far exceeded 200 kV/mat the level of the plant.
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Chapter 5 - Counterexamples of Phenomena That Have Been Explained
The cases reported in the preceding chapters have remained unexplained, despite the
richness oftheir data. Such cases are in the minority. Many sightings of aerial phenomena
made in France that the witnesses could not understand and reported to the gendarmerie
have been explained after a short investigation by the gendarmerie and/or
GEPAN/SEP RA: the causes ofthese have been the moon, planets, aircraft, weather
balloons, reflections from automobile headlights on clouds; etc., and, very rarely, hoaxes.
Sometimes the investigation yielded more unusual explanations. We will give two
examples.
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5.1 A Strange Object Crosses a Highway (September 29, 1988)
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GEPANISEPRA investigation
An auto mechanic driving on the Paris-Lille freeway saw an enormous red ball cross the
road a few dozen meters away from him and roll down below the road. Casting •
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reflections oflight and enveloped in dense smoke, it finally came to a halt in a field.
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Troubled by this disturbing observation, the auto mechanic apparently reported it to the
highway gendarmes. On the chiefs orders, the gendarmerie then sealed offthe freeway
and a zone several kilometers around the object. The principal witness and his family were
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taken to the hospital, where they underwent a series of examinations. Civilian and military
security officers went to the site of the incident, equipped primarily with Geiger counters.
At that time, in fact, they were waiting for the Soviet satellite Cosmos 1900, which was
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equipped with a nuclear power generator, to fall, and precise instructions had been given.
When consulted, CNES very quickly informed them that Cosmos 1900 was overflying_the
Indian Ocean at that very moment. Did the red ball come from space? Advancing with
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caution, monitoring their nuclear radiation detectors, the security specialists drew near a
sphere approximately 1.50 min diameter. Under the bright light from the searchlights,
they saw that it bore no sign of the considerable heat build-up or mechanical effects that
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atmospheric reentry would have produced. It appeared to be intact, and small mirrors
covered its surface. No smoke or radioactivity were detected near it.
It was later learned that this sphere, which was intended to serve as a decoration at a
Jean-Michel Jarre concert, had fallen from the truck that was carrying it to London. The
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small mirrors stuck to its polystyrene casing were for reflecting the show' s lighting
effects ...
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5.2 A Bright Glow in a Village in the Dombes Region (March 10, 1979)
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GEPANISEPRA investigation
On March 13, 1979, the local [gendarrnerie] force ofa small village in the Dombes
region was alerted by an inhabitant who said he had seen an unidentified flying object over
I
the town during the night of March IO to 11 . In the course ofits investigation, the
[gendarmerie] force recorded a total offour testimonies, three of which were totally
independent ofone another. The first witness, a restaurateur in the village, described the
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phenomenon as a bluish and purplish luminous mass slightly oval in shape and around 15
meters in length. The light was so bright that the village square was lit up as ifit were
broad daylight, to such a degree that the public lighting, which goes on automatically,
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went out. Two other witnesses, who were in a car close to the village, reported that this
luminous mass preceded their vehicle on the road about 2 m ahead ofthem. They
informed the gendarmes that this light went out suddenly after an orange-colored light
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appeared on each side ofthe glow.
~
Finally, a fourth witness, a fish farmer, said he had been awakened that night by a dull
noise and had seen a bright bluish glow. The next day, all the fish in one ofhis fish
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(-------) tanks, catfishes, were found dead. The presence ofa power line hanging over the
tank enabled the gendarmes to focus their investigation on phenomena ofan electrical
ongm.
I
GEPAN/SEPRA did the same during the investigation that it conducted on the site a
few days later. It discovered very quickJy that the IO-kV power line hanging over the tank
had melted. The information provided by [the French electricity company] EDF enabled
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them to demonstrate that since this line was some thirty years old, it was very likely that
corrosion and oxidation of the aluminum wires had caused a power arc effect in the line,
probably in conjunction with a corona effect. This would explain, on the one hand, the
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bluish glow and the noise heard by the witness and, on the other hand, the public lighting
going out. The glow was, in fact, bright enough to trigger the photoelectric control cell,
I I
which was located close to the melted line.
Finally, the fish died as a result ofbeing poisoned by drops ofaluminum that fell in the
tank for several minutes.
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PART2
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The Extent of Our Knowledge
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Chapter 6 - Organization of the Research in France
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In I 977, the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales was tasked with the mission ofsetting
up a permanent structure for the study of unidentified aerospace phenomena (UAP): the
Groupe d'Etudes de Phenomenes Aerospatiaux Non Identifies (GEPAN). This
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establishment had within it the skills and resources appropriate to this mission, in
particular, engineers and personnel with high-level technical knowledge who were in close
touch with scientific circles. A scientific council chaired by Hubert Curien and composed
of twelve members who were representative ofthe social and exact sciences guaranteed
that this complex and delicate subject would be handled with all the necessary precision.
This council had the job ofguiding, organizing, and reviewing the work ofGEPAN
annually.
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Three phases can be distinguished in the progression ofthe activity connected with the
study of UFOs in France, which culminated in 1988 in the creation ofthe Service
d'Expertise des Phenomenes de Rentree Atmospherique (SEPRA), which succeeded
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GEPAN, still within CNES:
- a phase that consisted ofsetting up the organization and defining the procedures for
the collection and processing ofdata, which is described in this chapter,
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- a phase that consisted ofdefining the scientific method for studying cases,
- a phase that consisted ofimplementing the previously defined methods and
procedures, the last two of which are discussed in the next chapter.
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SEPRA plays a more limited role in the study ofUFOs than does GEPAN, the scientific
council ofwhich has ended its mission
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6.1 The Setting Up the Organization Phase
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GEPAN's first job was to form a partnership among the different public, civilian, and
I
military agencies with a view to organizing the collection and analysis of reliable data.
The Gendarmerie Nationale, the civil and military aviation authorities, the National
Weather Service, etc., were approached and brought together in this organization via
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agreements and protocols established with GEP AN.
The first goal set was the rapid acquisition and provision ofdata collected at the sites
where a phenomenon was sighted. To do this, in accordance with the directives ofthe
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scientific council, GEP AN was tasked with the mission offorming teams ofspecialized
investigators for the collection ofpsychological and physical data, such as, for example,
taking samples of tracks in the ground. In parallel to this organization, various civilian and
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military research laboratories were asked to participate in expert's appraisals and analyses
ofthe data collected in investigations, such as, for example, the processing of
photographic documents and radar recordings.
6.2 Participation of the Gendarmerie Nationale
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It was in February 1974 that the first instructions were given tasking the Gendannerie
Nationale with the job ofcollecting and centralizing spontaneous testimonies on UFOs.
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Previously, these testimonies had been collected on an occasional basis in the regional
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[gendarmerie] forces and rarely gave rise to the drafting of reports or to in-depth
investigations (the Valensole case in [ 1965]). The administrative or technical authorities
did not process or use these documents.
I
Beginning in May 1977, one ofthe six copies ofthe report drafted by the regional
gendarmerie forces was forwarded to GEPAN, which from then on became the recipient
ofall information collected on UFOs.
6.2. t Role and Action of the Gendarmerie Nationale
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Each gendarmerie force possesses a manual, the "gendarmerie handbook," which
contains all of the instructions on the procedures to be followed in the collection ofdata
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on unidentified aerospace phenomena. Depending on the degree ofcomplexity ofthe case
reported, the level ofintervention may range from the simple transcript ofa testimony to
an actual investigation, which may be conducted jointly with the GEP AN/SEPRA
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departments at the locations ofsightings and often results in an in-depth report.
6.2.2 Use of Data Collected by the Gendarmerie Nationale
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Once the information has been collected locally by the gendarmerie, it is forwarded in
the form ofa report to the Gendannerie Nationale headquarters in Paris, which issues a
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copy ofit to GEP AN/SEPRA. The latter processes it at two different levels:
- at the first level, the report is analyzed, then entered into a database, and perhaps is
processed statistically for the purpose ofestablishing classifications and typologies of
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phenomena,
- at the second level, which relates to more complex "UAP D" (category D unidentified
aerospace phenomena) cases, the investigation in the field generates a set of research
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activities with respect to elements for further processing that results in the drafting ofa
detailed, in-depth investigation report~ the report may be used for track interpretation
studies.
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6.2.3.Assessment and Results of the Cooperation with the Gendarmerie Nationale
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Since 1974, over 3,000 gendarmerie reports representing an average ofthree
spontaneous testimonies per document have been collected and forwarded to
GEP AN/SEPRA. Added to this are some one hundred investigations and interventions in
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the field, conducted jointly with the local [gendarmerie] forces. AU ofthese have
permitted the characterization ofa set of rare, natural and artificial phenomena that have
occurred with varying frequency which would not have been able to be identified without
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this type oforganization. Thanks to this collaboration, it has been possible to study UFO
cases like the Trans-en-Provence and "Amaranth" cases (see Chapter 4) under excellent
conditions, showing that there was a remnant ofevents the nature ofwhich had yet to be
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identified. A volume ofinformation describing the objectives sought by CNES in the
study of UFOs was widely disseminated to all ofthe regional [gendarmerie] forces.
Supplemental information and training, [ end ofline cut off] direction ofofficers and
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lower-level gendarmes, is regularly provided by the Gendarmerie Nationale schools to
sensitize the [gendarmerie] force commanders to this subject.
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The results ofthis collaboration could be more effective. Regular updating ofthe data
collection procedures would be desirable, as well as shorter time delays before
intervention for investigations between the time the local [gendarmerie] force learns of the
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case and the time when SEPRA intervenes. This reduction in the intervention time would
considerably diminish the loss of information, particularly with respect to effects on the
environment. It would also be important for the gendarmerie forces to be routinely
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informed ofthe results ofwork and investigations carried out by SEPRA. However, the
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resources currently available in terms of personnel and budget allocations do not permit a
response with the efficacy desired.
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6.3 Participation ofthe Air Force
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Just after World War II, the first reports ofFrench aeronautic UFO sightings were
collected and archived by the Air Force Chiefof Staff's Office ofPlanning and Studies
(EMAAIBPE).
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When GEP AN was created, a memorandum ofunderstanding defined the respective
roles ofthe two agencies for the processing ofinformation relating to cases of military
aeronautic sightings. In principle, all UFO sightings must be reported to the military air
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[traffic] control center in question, which forwards the information to the Air Operations
Center (CCOA) in Tavemy. The latter is responsible, in collaboration with the Air Force
Chief ofStaff's Space Office, for forwarding it to GEPAN/SEPRA. At the same time, all
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radar information is recorded in the radar control centers and kept for a minimum ofone
month and longer on request. This information is made available to investigators if
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needed.
A protocol established with the Anny defines the conditions for the forwarding of
information collected in flight by pilots ofthe Army Air Corps (ALAT).
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6.4 Participation ofthe Civil Aviation Authority
The same type oforganization and procedures is used by the civil aviatiori authority to
collect and process the information relating to UFO sightings made by civilian pilots. A
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protocol signed between the Civil A via ti on Directorate (DGAC) and CNES permits
GEPA.N/SEPRA to have access to UFO sighting reports drafted by national and foreign
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airlines crews. To this end, a sighting report form prepared jointly by DGAC and
GEPAN/SEPRA is made available to crews at the air [traffic] control centers of the civil
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aviation authority and airlines. In addition, the radio conversations between the crew and
the air [traffic] control [center] are routinely recorded and attached to the detailed sighting
report.
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There is also a regulation concerning flight incidents that could involve safety. In this
case, the flight captain must follow the "Airrniss" procedure, which routinely triggers an
investigation by the DGAC.
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6.5 Additional Research Resources
I
Numerous civilian (public or private) and military bodies contribute to the expert
appraisals performed in investigations and work by GEPAN/SEPRA. This involvement
takes place at two levels, either in the collection ofdata in the field and the utilization of
sighting reports or in the
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analysis ofdata after the expert's appraisal and the theoretical and experimental research
that are deemed necessary.
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Cooperation agreements have been established, particularly with various bodies that can
benefit in return from the results ofinvestigations of interest to their own area of study,
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for example:
- lightning (EDF, CEA [French Atomic Energy Commission], the National Weather
I
Service, ONERA, CEAT [Toulouse Aeronautic Test Center]),
- meteors (CNRS [National Center for Scientific Research], DGA [French General
Delegation for Annaments]),
I
- line disturbances (EDF, France Telecom [French telecommunications company]),
- group sociology and, in particular, sects (CNRS, universities),
- photography, the study offilms, the processing ofsatellite imagery (Flex.image
I
company).
The following three applications should be emphasized:
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6.5.1 Sample Analysis
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GEP AN/SEPRA is supported by various civilian and military laboratories, including
those ofthe Etablissement Technique Central de l'Annement (ETCA), [Central Technical
Annaments Institution] for analyzing soil and plant samples collected during the course of
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investigations.
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6.5.2 Use of Photographs
Image processing work was performed at ETCA between 1981 and 1988. This work
I
enabled the techniques and procedures, listed in GEP AN technical memorandum no. 18,
for studying supposed UFO photographs to be defined. Diffraction filters were_ issued to
each gendannerie regional unit to permit on-site collection ofinformation over the light
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spectrum emitted.
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6.5.3 Sky Surveillance System
A system called "ORION' was studied and partially deployed by [the Ministry of]
Defense for the purpose ofmonitoring, identifying, and predicting the passage ofsatellites,
I
particularly over national territory. It should meet, at least partially, the need for the
surveillance ofUFO-type light phenomena. The system consists of
I
- the current surveillance and tracking radar systems and listening antenna on the ship
Monge,
- two radar and optical surveillance systems and one optical imaging system:
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• the "GRAVES" surveillance radar system, which will be capable ofdetecting
objects from I n12 [in size] at a distance of 1500 km,
• the "SPOC" [Sky Observation Probe System] optical surveillance system, which
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uses CCD cameras to detect and determine the trajectory oforbiting satellites or
magnitude 7 to 8 space debris (the installation ofequipment at two sites is currently under
way),
I
- finally, the development ofthe 4 m diameter "SOLSTICE'' telescope, which may be
provided with adaptive optics, for the observation ofobjects m geostationary orbit
(36,000 km).
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Chapter 7 - Method and Results of GEPAN/SEPRA
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7.1 Method Developed by GEPAN
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GEPAN developed an original method for studying rare, randomly occuning
phenomena. Meteorites are among these phenomena. Scientists have long refused to
consider sightings ofstones that have fallen from the sky, which are generally reported by
I
rural inhabitants. Fortunately, in 1803, the physicist Jean-Baptiste Biot conducted an in­
depth investigation in the village ofLaigle in Orne [Department] about three weeks after_it
was reported_ that stones had fallen from the sky. Biot examined numerous stones and
I
certain evidence (broken branches, perforated roofs, fires) and questioned many
independent witnesses. He prepared a convincing report that gave scientific ~xistence to
meteorites.
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The method developed by GEP AN was approved by its scientific council. It basically
consists ofidentifying initially unknown phenomena and perfonning a joint analysis offour
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types ofdata concerning:
- witnesses: physiology, psychology, etc.,
- testimonies: accounts, reactions to questions, general behavior, etc.,
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- the physical environment: weather, air traffic, photographs, radar data, traces left on
the environment, etc.,
- the_psychosocial_environment: readings and beliefs ofwitnesses, possible influence of
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the media and various groups on these witnesses, etc.
Gendarmerie reports often contain sufficient data in order to be able to identify the
phenomenon sighted. In many cases, the phenomenon turns out to be an airplane, a
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planet, a satellite, etc. In other cases, a fairly large supplemental investigation is
conducted by GEPAN/SEPRA. An in-depth study can take up to two years. The analysis
of traces left on the environment may result in specialized laooratories being called on for
I
assistance (see the Trans-en-Provence and "Amaranth,, cases in Chapter 4).
Finally research was conducted in collaboration with the universities in order to perfect
the investigation method. CNES, out ofa concern for scientific precision, adopted the
term "UAP" instead ofthe term UFO, which is more well known but more restrictive.
GEPAN is the group that studies UAPs.
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7.2 First Classification ofUAPs (Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena)
I
After a study is conducted, each case is classified by GEPAN/SEPRA into one ofthe
I
following four categories, depending on the extent to which it has been identified:
- Category A: completely identified phenomenon,
- Category B: phenomenon that can probably be identified but which cannot be
I
identified with certainty due to a lack ofevidence,
- Category C: phenomenon that cannot be identified due to a lack ofdata,
- Category D: phenomenon that cannot be identified despite the abundance and quality
I
ofthe data.
Category D UAPs represent 4 to 5% ofthe cases and are called UAP Ds. They include
sightings of phenomena, some of which were close to the ground1. within a few meters of
the witnesses. The strangest and most mysterious cases in this category are generally
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labeled CE3s (close encounters ofthe third kind) according to the classification proposed
by Professor A. Hynek, an astronomer and consultant to the USAF, within the context of
I
the Blue Book Project (cf. Chapter 9.1 ).
7.3 Typology of UAP Ds
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The detailed statistical analysis ofUAP Ds enables a precise determination ofthe
distribution oftheir physical characteristics: speed, acceleration, silence, shape, effects on
the environment. It is interesting to note that statistical studies in the USSR yielded
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distributions comparable to those determined by Claude Poher, the first head ofGEPAN,
from some 200 French cases, or 1,000 cases worldwide. It would be desirable to be able
to develop UAP D statistical studies in France.
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7.4 Investigations ofRemarkable Cases
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Around one hundred investigations have been conducted by GEP AN/SEPRA. Some of
them have highlighted rare physical atmospheric phenomena associated, for example, with
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lightning~ others have revealed unusual psychological behavior ofwitnesses caused, for
example, by taking hallucinogenic drugs. Several very in-depth investigations based on
analyses ofevidence have demonstrated, in the end, the physical presence ofa
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phenomenon the nature and origin ofwhich remain unknown. Two cases related in
Chapter 4 stand out in our minds, the Trans-en-Provence case ofJanuary 8, 1981, and the
"Amaranth" case ofOctober 2 1, I 982. The investigations lead us to believe that double­
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saucer-shaped objects were close to the ground for some time, then departed toward the
sky leaving traces on the vegetation and, in the Trans-en-Provence case, on the ground
itself. They are detailed in GEP AN technical memoranda no. 16 and no. 17 (see the
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reference list in Chapter 6).
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7.5 Aeronautical Cases
7.5.l Data on French Aeronautical Cases
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- Twelve French aeronautical cases have been brought to the attention of
GEPAN/SEPRA~ only three or four ofthese can be considered to fall into category D.
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- The first UAP D case identified dates back to 1951. It involved Vampire military
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.
aircraft in the Orange area. In two other very extraordinary sightings, which are presented
in Chapter 1, military pilots reported the presence ofobjects with aeronautical
performances inconsistent with the maneuvers ofclassic aircraft over the region ofTours
in 1976 and ofLuxeuil in 1977. However, not until January 28, 1994, was the crew ofa
regularly scheduled Air France commercial airplane able to collect the first case ofa visual
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sighting correlated with a radar detection over 50 seconds long (see Chapter 1.3).
7.5.2 Aeronautical UAP D Cases Worldwide
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The aeronautical UAP D cases known since 1942 were initially enumerated in a
document entitled Rencontres dans le cie/ {Encounters in the Sky], by Dominique
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Weinstein, the French portion ofwhich SEPRA contributed to. The list ofsightings
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worldwide includes the description of489 well-documented cases ofaeronautical UAP D
sightings the sources of which were duly verified. Most of the infonnation on these
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aeronautical UAP Ds is drawn from official sources, government authorities, the Air
Forces ofdifferent States, or agencies like SEPRA.
This list offers a classification according to criteria with respect to the quality ofthe
sighting. It ranges from simple visual sightings, describing the specific performances or
maneuvers of the phenomenon observed ( speed, acceleration, maneuverability, silence,
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etc.), to more elaborate sightings, mentioning environmental disturbances caused by the
aeronautical UAP Ds, such as radio interference or radar jamming, navigation instrument
malfunctions, or even physical effects on the crew (heat, blinding, etc.).
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Between 1947 and 1969, that is(-) during the time ofthe U.S. Air Force Blue Book
Project on UFOs, 363 sightings were identified. 1952 is the year in which the greatest
number ofsightings were recorded: 68. A total of63 countries are cited as having been
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the scene ofat least one aeronautical sighting.
•
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7.5.3 "RadarN isual" Cases Worldwide
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-
"Radar/visual" cases are those in which a visual sighting is associated with an onboard
radar and/or ground radar detection. It is noted that:
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-
the first sightings in Japan and the USSR date back to 1948,
- 30 ofthe 68 countries cited in the list reported "radar/visual" cases,
- ofthe 489 cases in the report, 101 were "radar/visual" cases (21%),
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of the 363 cases in the Blue Book report, 76 were "radar/visual" cases (21%),
- in 1952, I 6 out of68 cases were "radar/visual" cases (23 .52% ).
In conclusion, we can clearly establish that from 1942 to 1995, at least 500 well­
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documented and recognized aeronautical UAP D sightings were identified throughout the
world, nearly 20% ofwhich were "radar/visual" cases. They furnish proof ofa physical
reality of phenomena that exhibited paradoxical maneuvers.
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7.6 The Physical Reality of UAP Ds
7.6.1 An Initial Report as Early as September 1947 in the United States
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We have seen that the work ofGEPAN/SEPRA showed that there was an entire
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category ofrare physical phenomena occurring at varying frequency that could not be
classified as known natural or artificial phenomena. These phenomena, UAP Ds, which
we have higWighted, both in the aeronautical sphere (military and civilian aeronautical
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cases) and close to the ground ( cases ofclose encounters), support other cases ofwell­
documented sightings that have been verified by official authorities throughout the world.
It is interesting to note that as early as November [sic] 1947, right at the start ofthe very
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first wave of modem UFO sightings, in the United States, General Twining, head ofthe
Air Material Command, drafted a report on "flying disks, " the conclusions ofwhich are
very explicit:
I. The phenomenon reported is something real~ .and not visionary or fictitious
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2. Disk-shaped objects the size ofwhich is comparable to that ofour aircraft do exist.
3. It is possible that some sightings correspond to natural phenomena.
4. The very high rate-of-climb observed, rhe maneuverability. and the escape
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maneuvers when the disks are detected lead one to assume that they are pilotedor
operated by remote control.
, ,
5. Most witnesses describe objects with a metalsurface that are circular or elliptical
in shape, the upper portion ofwhich is dome shaped, flying without making any
noise in a fonnation ofthree to nine objects ...
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7.6.2 GEPAN/SEPRA's Work
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We do not have irrefutable tangible proof in the forrn of material, either whole or in
fragments, that confirm the physical nature ofUAP Ds and their artifact character.
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Nevertheless, the collection and expert appraisal work carried out at GEP AN/SEP RA for
over 20 years confinns the statements Genera] Twining made in 1947.
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7.6.3 French Aeronautical Cases
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The study ofFrench military aeronautical UAP D [sightings] (Orange in 1951, Tours in
1976, Luxeuil in 1977) supports General Twining's conclusions, namely the fourth one.
The testimonies ofthe pilots do in fact lead one to assume that the objects were "either
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pilotedor operated by remote control": all ofthe pilots reported that it was "the object"
that appeared to be moving toward them and not the other way around. Moreover, all of
them considered the maneuvering abilities of the object to be far superior to those that
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they were familiar with.
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7.6.4 Cases ofClose-Up UAP D Sightings in France
For their part, the cases ofclose-up UAP D sightings in France are very much in
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keeping with Twining's conclusions 4 and 5. In Trans-en-Provence (Chapter 4), the
expert appraisals made at the site support the local testimony and show that the object
with a metallic appearance and circular shape landed, then took offsilently within a very
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short space of time not very far from a wall 2.5 min height. No modem aircraft is capable
ofthese silent maneuvers, nor ofthis degree of precision when landing. It is hard not to
imagine a piloted or remote-controlled flying machine, or else one having highly advanced
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cybernetics.
The other French cases ofclose encounters described in Chapter 4 also strongly
suggest the existence ofan intelligent [civilization] behind the UAP Os. In the Valensole,
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"Amaranth" and Cussac cases, once the witness or witnesses are brought face to face with
the UAP D, everything generally happens very quickly, and the object escapes without
having shown the slightest aggressiveness toward the witnesses.
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7.6.5 Foreign Cases - Conclusion
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The study ofcertain foreign cases leads to conclusions similar to those drawn from the
French cases. One may reread in this spirit the description ofthe aeronautical cases
presented in Chapter 2. We could also relate foreign cases ofclose encounters, such as
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the Socorro (New Mexico) case, which is similar to the Trans-en-Provence case, but the
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critical overview of which would needlessly weigh down this report.
One strong conclusion emerges from this set offacts: some UAP Ds do seem to be
completely unknown flying machines with exceptional perf orrnances that are guided by a
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natural or artificial intelligence.
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Chapter 8 - UFOs: Hypotheses, Modeling Attempts
8.1 Partial Models
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Credible sightings ofaeriaJ objects can be reinforced by plausible technical explanations
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-
ofthe phenomena reported. Among the most striking observations in relation to the
current state ofour_knowledge, we cite:
aerial movements canied out silently with very rapid accelerations and/or very high
speeds,
- the shutting offofthe engines ofnearby land vehicles,
- the locomotive paralysis ofwitnesses.
Insofar as the sightings that are the most well documented, and the most credible owing
to the obvious competence ofthe witnesses, come from aircraft pilots, it is their sightings
ofaerial movements, sightings which are, moreover, supported by radar plots, that should
be explained first.
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8.1.l Travel
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There are, from the standpoint ofthe concept, various principles of propulsion that do
not require propellers or jet engines that could thus be silent. The most advanced uses
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magnetohydrodynamics, abbreviated MHD, but many others can also be considered. We
will review these.
8.1.1.1 MHD Propulsion
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The principle ofMHD propulsion, which cannot be envisioned in a vacuum, consists of
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causing an electrical current to flow in the medium surrounding the .ship At the same
time, the ship emits a magnetic field. According to Laplace' s law, this field exerts a force
on the current and thus on the medium in which it is flowing; this is the principle ofmost
electric motors. The medium being thus displaced in relation to the ship, it is in fact the
latter that undergoes, by reaction, a force that enables it to be propelled. It remains to
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create the necessary field and current:
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- for the magnetic field, this is easily accomplished by installing windings (like those in
electric motors}, in which a suitable electrical current travels, in or under the walls ofthe
ship,
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- for the electrical current, all depends on the medium.
In sea water it is easy to cause a current to flow using electrodes positioned on the hull.
This is why MHD propulsion has been experimented with, so far successfully, in the
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United States and Japan on both surface and submarine ship models.
In air, which is naturally insulating, it is more difficult to cause an electrical current to
flow, but air can be made conducting by using, for example, strong electric fields generated
here again by suitable electrodes (air, when rendered conducting, can become more or less
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luminous, which has frequently been observed around unknown objects). As for the
magnetic field, it can be created as it is for boats.. However, propulsion is much more
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difficult to achieve in air, since, in that case1 it must not only propel the aircraft but first of
all compensate for its weight. The electrical and magnetic fields required are therefore
much stronger than for a _naval ship and, in practice, obtaining the very strong fields that
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are essential is scarcely conceivable without having recourse to superconductive wirings.
Still theoretical until a only few years ago, their use in an aerial vehicle has been a credible
prospect since 1991, with the discovery ofsuperconductors capable ofoperating at near­
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ambient temperatures.
Propulsion in the atmosphere without propellers or jet engines is, therefore, completely
possible in principle with MHD, and the calculations show that the power necessary is not,
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in certain cases, incompatible with our current aeronautical engines. The fact that no
cooling system has been seen (or heard) on the objects that have been observed close up
can be explained as long as the length ofthe craft's flights does not. exceed a few dozen
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minutes. Furthermore, other motors that we already use - electric motors, from energy
stored on board or flywheels if they are not yet powerful enough - would not need immediate
cooling, which duly proves that this problem is not insurmountable.
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Numerous witnesses have been struck by the silence accompanying the maneuvers of
the objects, which do not create a "bang" even at supersonic speeds ( cf. Part 1, Chapters
1, 2, and 3). :MHD propulsion could account for this silence: preliminary experiments in
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noise reduction by eliminating the wake and shock wave, albeit under very special
conditions, are encouraging.
There has been extensive work on the different aspects ofMHD propulsion ofaircraft
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abroad: in the United States at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy (NY), and
according to the journal New Scientist (February 1996), in Great Britain and in Russia.
To sum up, based on the current state ofour knowledge, an MlID aircraft model is
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conceivable in the short term, while the creation ofa craft having the same movement
capabilities as the aerial vehicles described by the witnesses seems quite· likely to us within
a few dozen years. For the time being, only the quasi absence ofperceptible air flow and
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noise while hovering close to the ground pose problems.
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8.1.1.2 Other Propulsion Methods
In a vacuum, the absence or scarcity ofmolecules or atoms prevents current flow in the
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medium as well as the projection ofa mass ofsufficient substance pulled from this
medium. MlID propulsion is therefore not possible, and it is necessary to formulate other
hypotheses. Jet propulsion by means ofchemical reactions, comparable to our rocket
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engines - even though its performance is more advanced - should not be ruled out a
priori. In fact,. the space phase of the travel ofunknown objects takes place very far from
sight.
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In addition, skins for stealth purposes render them invisible to telescopes and radars
beyond a few lcilometers or a few dozen kilometers. Consequently, at these distances,
these objects could very well use classic propulsion systems without being detected.
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Mainly, then, problems with respect to power consumption and mass to be expelled are
raised, but the method reviewed below in 8.1.1.3 would enable these problems to be
partially solved.
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More advanced technologically are propulsion systems that call for very high velocity
exhaust - a considerable fraction of the speed oflight - ofparticle beams. Due to the
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extremely high exhaust velocity, the mass expelled is low and expulsion can be continued
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for a very long time. Such particle beam generators that can be loaded on board satellites
have been developed for space warfare in the former USSR (at the von Ardenne
laboratory in Soukhoumi, Georgia) and the United States, especially at the Argonne
I
National Laboratory. At present, ofcourse, these beams are much less powerful than
what would be necessary here, but they are already ofinterest as low-power engines once
out ofthe proximity of planets. The U.S. probe "Deep Space 1,,, which should narrowly
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miss asteroid 1992 KD on July 29, 1999, was equipped with an engine ofthis type.
Other methods ofspace propulsion are being studied very actively: nuclear propulsion
using fission ("NERVA/' "ORION," and "DAEDALUS,, projects) and, more recently,
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fusion, which would offer respective gains ofone and over two orders of magnitude in
comparison with the best engines at present. Beyond this, the use of power stored in the
form ofantimatter - which has become credible since CERN [European Council for
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Nuclear Research) created an anti hydrogen atom and demonstrated the means for storing
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it - will offer gains even one hundred times greater.
This is why a growing number of research centers are doing work on this subject: the
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, the Air Force Astronautical
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Laboratory (Edwards Air Force Base), where antigravitation is also being studied,
according to the June 10, 1996 issue ofJane 's Defence Weekly. The latter topic is
reportedly also being pursued in Great Britain and in the CIS [Commonwealth of
Independent States].
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8.1.1.3 Use of Planetary or Stellar Impulse
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Closer to our current technologies, even though, strictly speaking, it does not have to
do with propulsion, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory imagined, in 1961, that a spacecraft
. slingshotting off the potential [gravity] wells ofsuitably selected planets could attain higher
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and higher speeds without expending any energy. This method is now routinely used for
missions to the remote planets in our [solar] system. One can then envision that by using
"reflections,,, not only by planets but also by stars, as Dyson proposed in 1963,
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considerable speeds could be attained (limited only by escape velocities) and interstellar
distances could be crossed using relatively little energy at the price, ofcourse, ofthe time
necessary for the departure and arrival slingshots
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This method would lead to interstellar voyage lengths probably figuring in thousands of
years, thus with an order ofmagnitude greater than lengths anticipated for the envisioned
antimatter propulsion.
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8.1.1.4 Conclusion Regarding Travel
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To sum up, for travel both in the atmosphere and in space, we can formulate reasonable
hypotheses on flight without any apparent means oflift in the first case and on the crossing
ofgreat distances, up to an interstellar scale, in the second.
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8. 1.2 The Shutting Off of Land Vehicle Engines
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To explajn this phenomenon, which has been reported frequently abroad, it is necessary
to consider a remote action. [Since] no beams oflight appear to be associated with these
engine , immobilizations we can imagine radio-frequency radiation, such as microwaves,
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which we know can cause effects ofthis type and which can be easily formed into beams
to act from a distance. Under these conditions, microwave emissions from unknown
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objects would be likely to create around the vehicle an electrical field strong enough to
cause, when added to the ignition volt.~ •.?s, ionization and electrical breakdown of the air around
the high voltage circuit ofthe engi1 l(ignition] coil, distributor, spark plug wire), thus
I
short-circuiting the firing pulses to the engine mass and shutting it off.
Since electronic ignition came into widespread use in the 70s, the action of microwaves,
apart from the mechanism previously described, may be exerted directly, paralyzing the
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electronic circuit generating the high voltage. We can therefore envision the action of
unknown objects on land vehicles, including nowadays those with diesel engines, which
are made vulnerable due to their more and more common electronic regulation circuit. Let
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us recall that the ability to generate high power microwave beams is within the capabilities
ofour own technologies, as demonstrated by the intensive work being carried out in the
United States and the former USSR to develop microwave weapons intended precisely to
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destroy or immobilize enemy electronic systems from a distance, and even to act on
perso;1nel. In France, high power microwave generators that can be used for this purpose
are being studied.
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This does not rule out the possibility ofother types ofradiation being used. Charged
particle beams would be capable ofanalogous effects, passing through, if necessary, living
matter, such as the bodies ofsome witnesses, without being felt by the latter or leaving
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any notable or lasting sequels..
This can be illustrated by the beams ofaccelerators used in proton therapy, which begin by
passing through tissue without causing too much damage and becoming destructive only
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when their energy falls below a certain threshold as a result of their penetration.
This mode ofaction corresponds, moreover, to certain testimonies that report the
observation ofbeams oflight passing through physical obstacles; in fact, by ionizing the
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air, proton beams generally do become visible in the form of truncated beams oflight the
length ofwhich is a function oftheir initial energy.
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8.1.3 Locomotive Paralysis of Some Witnesses
This phenomenon is less common. It is remarkable in that the paralysis reported only
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affect certain voluntary movements, but not respiration or posture (balance, in particular,
is not compromised; the witnesses do not fall down) or eye movements. From the
standpoint ofconcepts, it can be remarked that in human beings posture and respiration
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are controlled by the cerebellum, an organ that is independent ofthe cerebrum, which
governs voluntary movements. The paralysis effects observed can reasonably be
attributed to microwaves acting from a distance on certain parts ofthe human body (this is
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also one ofthe objectives ofthe work mentioned above on nucrowave weapons). We
should note that these effects, among others, are being studied at the Air Force Weapons
Laboratory at Kirtland AFB.
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8.2 Modeling and Credibility
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The fact that we can formulate a credible hypothesis on the propulsion of the objects
sighted is obviously only a positive indication, but not proof of their existence, no more
than that of their conformity to the model that we imagine.
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In this regard, the history ofthe technique teaches hunulity, but it can also yield quasi
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certainties:
I
- humility in noting prognostic errors committed in the past. It suffices to recall the
affirmations made by or attributed to several very great scientists: "You cannot breath in
tunnels, " "science is almost finished, " "something heavier than air cannotfly, " etc. It
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would therefore be presumptuous to claim to foresee, based on _ our current knowledge and
accomplishments what might be technologies (-----) only slightly more advanced than our
own - or our own technologies in one or two centuries. Let us consider that only 150
I
years ago, engines, electricity, the existence ofthe atom, and Hertzian waves were
unknown! We can also reread Jules Verne: Paris au XXesiecle [Paris in the 20th
Century} or Hier et demain {Yesterday and Tomorrow}. ..
I
- certainties, since scientific and technical progress can only continue, supported by
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more scientists and engineers than there have ever been, spurred by competition among
nations. This competition, in our now "closed" world will focus on all of the resources that
once were free: potable water, the deep sea, the polar regions, "air, space, radio
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frequencies, etc.
Although it is risky to predict the results ofan increasingly accelerated scientific and
technical development, it is, at least, almost certain that our own knowledge will have
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advanced greatly even within a few decades. There's no telling what progress will be
made beyond that time! Under these circumstances, we can conclude with a high degree
ofcertainty that movements ofobjects that at present are just beyond our capabilities will
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be technically possible within a few decades, or even a few centuries, even if the
knowledge put into play is not what we are predicting.
To the extent that the preceding conclusion is acceptable, let us go further and
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comment that only a few million years will have elapsed (barring a catastrophe) between
the appearance of man and the future stellar expeditions ofour descendants ( cf. Chapter
8.3.6 and Appendix 4).
I
This interval between the appearance on earth ofa conscious intelligence and the time
when we will be able to perform the same feats as those performed by the objects we are
dealing with here is infinitesimal (one to two thousand years) compared with the age of the
I
earth or even with the 600 million years that separate us from the appearance ofthe first
living organisms at the beginning ofthe Cambrian period.
But the development ofother intelligent [beings] on other worlds cannot have taken
I
place at exactly the same rate as on earth. Ifthe age ofthese other worlds, like that ofthe
earth, is on the order of4 billion years, and ifa conscious life [form] appeared, neither the
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rate ofits development nor the epoch in which that world was created cannot have been
exactly the same as ours.
Under these conditions, even a minuscule deviation of0. 1%, for example, in regard to
I
these initial data would make it possible to place such a civilization between several
million years ahead ofours and several million years behind ours.
Thus the probability of the extent ofdevelopment oftwo civilizations in the universe,
I
and in the same solar system, being equal appears to be very low, and in all likelihood we
have only two possibilities:
- our "neighbors" are several thousand or several million years behind us (or do not yet
I
exist as a conscious species), and it will be we who discover them,
- our neighbors are ahead ofus, but then the probability is that this advance figures in
the thousands ofyears or more, rather than in years or even hundreds ofyears, and if we
can judge from the rate ofour own development, their level ofdevelopment would
certainly exceed our forecasting capabilities in every domain.
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8.3 UFOs - Overall Hypotheses
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For several dozens ofyears, the systematic collection and scientific study ofunusual
atmospheric phenomena have permitted a number of major advances. Ofcourse, on
analysis, a good proportion ofthe sightings have proven completely explicable: satellite ,
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re-entries sounding balloons, etc. This has furthermore enabled the precision ofthe
observers, as well as the veracity and consistency ofthe testimonies, to be tested. Cases
of hoaxes are, on the whole, very rare and quite easy to detect. The majority ofthe
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observers provide reliable reports, although it is necessary to take into account the
problems ofdiverse assessments.
Most ofthe sightings of all types have also enabled the credible and well-documented
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sightings called UAP Ds (category D unidentified aerospace phenomena)l for which no
explanation has been found .i..to be classified separately. However, these phenomena are
often attested by means ofconsistent testimonies all the way up to visual sightings coupled
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with radar sightings. Ofcourse, ifthere had only been ten or so UAP D [sightings], this
ambiguous file could just have been classified as "no action," but we are no longer at that
point and are far beyond that. Thus we are forced to seek plausible explanations. AJI
sorts of hypotheses have been constructed, and they may be classified as follows:
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8.3.1 Non Scientific Hypotheses
"We are being manipulated without realizing it" (by a very secret, very powerful, and
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very knowledgeable group ofpeople; by strange, unknown, or even extraterrestrial beings;
by spirits; by the devil; by our psychological fantasies; etc.). Obviously, we cannot say a
priori whether these hypotheses are true or false [since] they cannot be proven; their main
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drawback is that they aren't much good to us.
Parapsychological phenomena and collective hallucinations should be classified in this
category.
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The same is true ofthe idea that is sometimes expressed that the futuristic craft _sighted
are actually products ofthe future activity ofhumanity. Our descendants of the distant
[future], who have found the way to go back in time, come to observe us ...
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It is obviously classic to try to reconstruct and observe the past via any ofthe traces
that it leaves, and one could theoretically observe it directly (for example, by discovering a
well-oriented mirror on a planet located a few light years away). It is, however, out ofthe
I
question for such an observation to be able to influence a bygone time in any way, even by
being detectable.
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8.3.2 Secret Weapons of a Superpower
UAP Ds would then be piloted or remote-controlled craft ofterrestrial origin. There is
no lack ofobservers to believe that the object with fantastic performances that they saw
maneuvering in the sky is the state ofthe art of military progress, which would explain the
secrecy in which they are cloaked. Certainly studies such as those regarding the stealth
aircraft or magnetohydrodynamics actually lead to impressive progress. But besides the
fact that it would be extremely unwise to expose to the eyes of laymen and foreign experts
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in this way what there has been so much interest in concealing, it can be added today that
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throughout the decades during which these phenomena have occurred, the secret would
have inevitably come out, especially ifthe political upheavals of recent years are taken into
account.
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8.3.3 Disinformation Attempts
I
Into this category fall special effects and montages, which are generally accompanied by
a lot ofmedia publicity. Some researchers believe that without necessarily lending
themselves to the manufacture of ultramodern weapons, the performances of high-tech
I
craft might serve to brainwash public opinion in the same way as other propaganda
techniques. Of course, th.is point of view is a direct result ofthe cold war period. Any
means were good at that time for destabilizing the other camp, including fear ofan
invasion by extraterrestrials or the instilling ofdoubt about leaders "who hide something
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manifestly very: serious from us. "
This type of hypothesis is even less satisfying than the preceding ones because it runs
up against the objections to each ofthose.
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8.3.4 Holographic Images
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At the junction between disinformation attempts and extraterrestrial hypotheses lies the
I
technique of holographic images, whether they be the work ofa superpower or
extraterrestrial crews. In actual fact, th.is technique is difficult to employ. It requires
considerable preparation because air is very transparent and diffuses light only very poorly.
I
Therefore it is necessary to have large equipment covering the optical field used or at least
to project an appropriate screen on it, for example, a film ofwater.
The first method corresponds to theoretical holographic images, while the second is
I
simpler and is frequently used for spectacular effects, but it obviously leaves traces
behind ... We can also envision using clouds or a curtain ofrain, but this, ofcourse, poses
multiple hazards. Without necessarily being able to judge them at present, the method of
holographic images and associated methods have only very limited use.
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8.3.5 Unknown Natural Phenomena
This hypothesis cannot be ruled out completely and must therefore be cited. However,
I
it is difficult to support in cases where the UFO sighted behaves in an apparently
intelligent manner (approach, pursuit, evasion, and escape maneuvers, etc.).
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8.3.6 Extraterrestrial Hypotheses
A large number of people today are convinced that UFOs are piloted by intelligent
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beings who have come from a very remote part ofthe universe and are tasked with
watching us and even initiating contact with us. As appealing as they may be, these
hypotheses run up against all sorts of huge difficulties. The hypothetical Martians only
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recently disappeared from the realm ofpossibility, and apart from earth, the solar system
appears to be totally unable to have produced organized life and even more unable to have
produced an advanced civilization. It is therefore necessary to look farther, to the stars,
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but the closest star is already one hundred million times further away than the moon.
The only contacts that we may try to establish from such distances at present are radio
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-
-
- - -- ---- - - -
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contacts. Astronomers have attempted contacts via message transmission and radio
listening in the "SETI" and "MEGASETI" programs. Although some enthusiasts have
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suggested futuristic ideas to "bypass" the vast expanse, such as, for example, the use of
"black holes," the crossing ofinterstellar distances by possible extraterrestrials has elicited
much skepticism and the majority ofastronomers reiterate that "to date there has been no
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UFO case that is sufficiently well established to imply that it came from an
extraterrestrial civilization. "
Two professional astronomers, Jean-Claude R.ibes and Guy Monnet, have, however,
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proposed a scenario in our future in space that includes plausible interstellar voyages. In
this scenario, which is summarized in Appendix 4, they envision the establishment oflarge
communities in verdant "islands in space, " enonnous artificial structures orbiting the
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earth, as described by the physicist O'Neill, and even inside large asteroids, where an
abundance ofdifferent mc;1terials, including water and oxygen, as well as .ready protection
against meteorites and cosmic radiation, are found. Later on, when our descendants have
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mastered the production, storage and use ofantimatter as energy, they will utilize it to
propel some of their habitats to another solar system. They will settle in an asteroid belt,
start families there, and then visit the planets ofthe receiving system aboard craft that are
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perceived by any possible natives the same way we perceive UFOs today.
This scenario, which in essence relies onJy on laws of physics that are currently well
accepted, gives the extraterrestrial hypothesis a certain degree of plausibility; it is possible
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to imagine that a civilization that came from somewhere else colonized the region ofour
asteroid belt and used it as a staging base to our planet. Current progress in the conquest
ofspace and physics reinforces this idea.
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We should point out that some people envisage another hypothesis, which is very
controversial: the UFOs do belong to a civilization located in the asteroid belt, but this
civilization itselfcomes from our planet. Older than any known terrestrial civilizations and
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highJy advanced, it supposedly disappeared from earth (nuclear war, radioactivity,
pollution; etc.) but resettled in the solar system.
Both hypotheses have to their credit the fact that they place the UFO problem outside
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the realm ofthe paranormal and promote thought about the future ofour planet.
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Chapter 9 - Organization of the Research Abroad
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9.1 Organization of the Research in the United States
The subject ofUFOs is presently very popular in the United States. This is evidenced
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by the number and su~cess offiction films such as Independence Day, Men in Black, and
Contact, which deal with this topic. A survey conducted in June 1997 for Time magazine
showed that nearly one American in four believes that an extraterrestrial craft crashed at
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Roswell (New Mexico) at the beginning ofJuly 1947. A professor ofpsychiatry at
Harvard, Dr. Mack, treats the problem ofthe temporary abduction, whether real or
imagined, of his fellow countrymen by UFOs very seriously. In view of the public's
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expectations, what are the authorities doing?
They deny that the UFO phenomenon poses a threat to national security, or that it is
evidence ofan extraterrestrial origin. This position has been taken almost continuously by
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the Air Force, which was tasked with the study ofUFOs from 1948 to 1969 within the
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framework ofa project which bore the overall title Blue Book. It was confirmed in the
summary and conclusions ofthe university commission in charge ofevaluating the Blue
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Book [Project], the Condon ComITllssion. The physicist Condon wrote in his conclusions
that the study ofUFOs had little chance ofadvancing science. All official studies thus
came to a halt in the United States as ofDecember 1969, and the Air Force referred those
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who were curious to private ufological associations.
Although it was endorsed by the Academy ofSciences, the Condon report was harshly
criticized by numerous scientists, particularly at the powerful AIAA (American Institute of
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Aeronautics and Astronautics). The latter justly pointed out that the summary and
conclusions ofthe report, which were drafted by Professor Condon himself, conflicted
with a number of analyses Wlthin its body. The AIAA recommended moderate, but
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continuous scientific work on UFOs.
An amendment to the Freedom oflnformation Act (FOIA) passed in 1974 pennitted
declassified official documents on UFOs to be obtained as of 1976. One ofthese, in
particular, attracted attention. It was a letter from Air Force Brigadier General Bolender
from October 1969 stating that the imminent conclusion ofthe Blue Book Project would
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not put an end to military reports concerning UFOs that constituted a threat to national
security. These were not part ofthe Blue Book system and would continue, as in the past,
to be handled in accordance with the directive JANAP 146 and Air Force Manual 55-11.
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"As regards authenticity, only negative conclusions are definitive"
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By Fran~ois Louange,
Chief Executive Officer of Fleximage Companv
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Among the investigations conducted on the subject ofUFOs, photograph analysis
represents one ofthe more delicate areas. In fact, in the public's eyes, photographs
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constitute indisputable proof par excellence ofthe existence ofthe phenomenon, which
gives them a very special emotional factor. But photography is in reality a field where one
still finds many errors and hoaxes, because many natural or technical effects can give rise
to surprising documents: it is becoming easier and easier for a specialist who has computer
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equipment to produce a doctored negative that stands up well to investigations. This
can sometimes even prove lucrative.
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Moreover, experience shows that most of the negatives that stand up to analysis contain
only extremely poor and unusable information, often limited to a saturated bright spot on a
black background or vice versa, which makes this area of investigation relatively
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disappointing.
For about forty years, alleged photographs ofUFOs, which are sometimes renowned in
ufological circles, have occasionally been the subject ofexpert appraisals on the part of
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specialists interested in this topic. The physical and technical fields that come into play are
quite varied, ranging from atmospheric propagation to photography or video and including
digital image processing.
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The analysis ofa photographic document or video is broken down into two steps:
1 - Establishing or disproving authenticity, uncovering hoaxes, fake maneuvers or
parasitic phenomena that could have affected the photographing equipment or the original
data storage medium (film, video cassette). This concept ofauthenticity is furthermore
completely relative, because only negative conclusions are definitive and in the best of
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cases a document can stand up to analyses at any given moment.
2 - With respect to a document deemed to be authentic, extracting the maximum
amount of information permitting a known phenomenon to be identified or a phenomenon
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that is a priori inexplicable to be characterized (size, position, speed, albedo, energy
emitted, etc.). This phenomenon will then be compared with other unexplained
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phenomena in order to draw possible parallels.
It is important to emphasize that the photographic as well as the video documents
available come only from fortuitous witnesses~ there are very few opportunities for
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significant data to be exploited by reason ofsimple statistical considerations: the chances
ofbeing witness to a rare phenomenon, the likelihood ofhaving [camera] equipment in
hand ready to use, the probability ofbeing able to make the proper adjustments and calmly
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take professional quality photographs, etc.
In any case, it seems reasonable to limit in-depth investigations to. cases in which the
following two conditions are met:
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2. -There is at least one other independent source of information (visual testimony or
another sensing device).
Trick of the eye: lens-shaped clouds
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[Photo]
Central bulge, broad and narrow disk, this is the definition oflenticular galaxies. It is also
the definition of a type of cloud, cirrocumulus lenticularis, which forms above 7000 m
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altitude and up to the limits ofthe troposphere. Their very specific shape is due to factors
such as pressure, temperature, turbulence, and very strong winds. But this shape is
definitely open to every interpretation for those who wish to see it as a flying saucer...
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When military craft play UFOs
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[Photo]
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Left:
Photographed in 1989 offshore from Los Angeles, this unpiloted surveillance unit is a
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Canadair CL-227 Sea Sentinel military drone.
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Right:
This Sikorsky "Cypher" surveillance drone is used by the U.S. Anny in urban conflict
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situations.
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JANAP (Joint Anny, Navy, Air Force Publication) 146 applies to military personnel but
also to some civilians (flight captains ofcommercial aircraft, merchant marine captains) in
the United States and Canada. It stipulates that an urgent report should be filed with
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certain authorities, which must in turn file a report, namely with the Air Operations
Command (now NORAD [North American Air Defense]) in Colorado Springs, when
objects requiring very urgent defensive action and/or an investigation by the armed forces
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ofthe United States or Canada are sighted .
. Among these objects, UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objeqts) are listed along with missiles
and hostile or unidentified submarines, etc. Disclosure ofthe contents ofthese reports is
subject to the penalties ofthe laws cracking down on espionage. JANAP 146 was in effect
in recent years and perhaps is still in force. This regulation may explain the frequent
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reticence of American military personnel, aviators in particular, to bring up the subject of
UFOs.
The members of American ufological associations number several thousand. These
associations attempt to fill the gap left by the public authorities in the field of"UFO"
studies. The FOIA brought them a resurgence ofactivity, showing them that contrary to
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their statements, the Air Force and various special departments, namely the CIA, are very
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much interested in the subject ofUFOs and have been for some time. It pennitted them to
learn ofcertain spectacular cases, such as the overflight of missile bases in 197 5, or the
1976 Tehran incident related in Chapter 2. DIA deemed this a "radar/visual" case: "A
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classic case that meets all the conditions required for a legitimate study ofthe UFO
phenomenon. "
In recent years, the three main ufological associations have been brought together by a
leading U.S. personality, Marie Galbraith, to conduct a joint study. She is the wife of
Evan Griffith Galbraith, who was U.S. ambassador to France from 1981 to 1985. Thus
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she is well-acquainted with our country and our language, since she lived on A venue
Gabriel. Supported both morally and financially by Laurance Rockefeller, brother ofthe
famous David Rockefeller, she traveled the world to meet the principal scientists
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interested in UFOs and to collect the best cases.
She then oversaw the drafting ofa clear and documented book entitled Unidentified
Flying Objects, Briefing Document, the best available ·evidence, which was endorsed in
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1995 by the chairmen ofthe three associations CUFOS [Center for UFO Research],
FUFOR [Fund for UFO Research], and MUFON [Mutual UFO Network]. She had this
work sent to more than a thousand prominent figures throughout the world and, namely,
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to a large number of U.S. congressmen. Her goal is to get the U.S. government and
possibly other governments to end the secrecy surrounding UFOs. For the editors ofthe
book, this secrecy is essentially military in origin: the nation that is first to reproduce the
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exceptional characteristics ofUFOs will dominate the world. The secrecy was justified
during the cold war, but it is no longer justified now given the scientific and technical
breakthroughs useful to humanity that one can expect [ to obtain] from the study of UFOs.
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On the whole, Marie Galbraith's book is descriptive. It does not interpret the
phenomena sighted (physical modeling or hypotheses regarding the origin ofthe objects).
Such was also the spirit ofthe international scientific colloquium organized in September
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1997 by Laurance Rockefeller at Pocantico, near West Point, on the property ofthe
Rockefeller Bros. Fund. Moderated by astrophysicist Peter Sturrock, this colloquium
focused on physical evidence concerning UFOs.
Specialists on radar, the biological effects of microwaves, photography, etc., who often
were not very familiar with the UFO problem, formed a scientific council there that judged
the papers presented by the UFO researchers. French participation was quite noteworthy;
it consisted of the head ofSEPRA and two members ofthe scientific council. A summary
document expressed the desire that many countries have a UFO research organization
comparable to that ofFrance
Colonel Corso's theory
In July 1997, for the fiftieth anniversary ofthe Roswell incident, an astonishing book
entitled The Day After Roswell was published. It was written by Colonel Corso, who
from 1953 to 1957 was the military member of the National Security Council Staffand
thus was in constant contact with President Eisenhower. The foreward of this book was
written by Strom Thurmond, the current chairman of the Senate Armed Services
Committee, who, already a member of this committee, appointed Corso as congressional
attache when he left the Army in 1963. The author states that the object found at Roswell
was indeed an extraterrestrial vessef He reportedly saw for himself, in July 1947, the
cadaver ofone ofthe occupants preserved in a glass coffin. From 1961-1962, as chiefof
foreign technology in the Anny R & D Department, he apparently was tasked with
discretely allowing U.S. industry to benefit from the extremely high-tech objects found in
the wreckage (according to him: printed circuits, a laser, light intensifier, etc.).
Colonel Corso affirms that high-ranking military officers and some U.S. congressmen
know about the existence ofextraterrestrial craft in our skies. They have concealed it
from the public to avoid panics, but full disclosures are going to be able to be made,
because the United States, which has been striving to do this for 50 years, reportedly now
has the means to counter a possible UFO attack. Some ofthese claims are surprising at
the very least, but the entire contents of the book cannot be easily dismissed when one
considers the remarkable career ofits author and Senator Thurmond's tribute to him. It is
true that the latter requested that his fforeward not appear in reprints ofthe book, a request
that was granted. The author allegedly had not told him that the book was about UFOs ...
But it is difficult to believe that the foreward writer, the third in line in the U.S.
Government to succeed the President, and the publisher, Simon & Schuster, were not
acting with full knowledge ofthe facts at the time ofthe first printing. As soon as the
book came out, the U.S. Air Force published a second report on Roswell again denying
the plausibility ofthe hypothesis ofthe crash ofan extraterrestrial craft. The first report,
which was published in 1994, was presented as the first official study on UFOs since the
end ofthe Blue Book [Project) in 1969 (see "Roswell and Disinformation" in Appendix
[5]). This reaction is not incompatible with Colonel Corso's theories; it may be intended
to reassure those whom Corso's revelations might worry.
9.2 Organization of the Research in the United Kingdom
Great Britain has been the scene ofseveral remarkable cases. We presented the
Lakenheath "radar/visual" case (1956) in Chapter 2. The RAF and the Ministry in charge
ofit therefore became interested in UFOs very early on, but we do not possess much
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information on their work. Since its creation in 1964, the British Ministry ofDefence
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(MOD) has had a UFO study unit, whose [designator] abbreviation Sec(AS)2a stands for
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Department 2a ofthe Secretariat (Air Staff) division. Its activity was recently described
by Nick Pope, who was its head from 1991 to 1994, in a book written in a very lively style ,
Open Skies, Closed Minds.
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This department receives telephone calls or letters from witnesses, but more generally
reports prepared from the depositions ofthese witnesses taken at police stations, airports
or RAF bases. It conducts classic investigations ifit deems them useful. They then
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question radar stations or weather stations, the RAF space object surveillance base at
Flyingdales, other RAF bases, the Greenwich Observatory, etc. Its unique mission-is to
determine whether the reports are ofinterest for defense purposes ("area ofdefence
significance").
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Nick Pope, who is currently a MOD career employee, has broken new ground in
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comparison with his predecessors. He has given interviews to the press and participated in
television programs.
He has cooperated with the ufological associations, giving their address and phone number
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to witnesses who have written to him. In his letters of response he admitted that a small
proportion ofUFO sightings defied explanation and that the MOD was keeping its mind
open regarding these. His predecessors wrote: "Ifwe had sufficient data, all ofthe cases
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could undoubtedly be explained " In his book, Nick Pope evokes various hypotheses to
explain certain unidentified cases that were the subject ofcredible and detailed reports.
He strongly favors the extraterrestrial hypothesis and expresses the desire that his ministry
take seriously the potential threat that UFOs represent in his eyes.
Is there a department that is further developed than his (where he is alone) in the
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Ministry ofDefence that would conduct secret studies on the UFO phenomenon? His
statements on the subject are contradictory (pp. 129 and 181 ). Ralph Noyes, who was
one ofNick Pope's predecessors from 1969 to 1972 and ended his career at MOD in 1977
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as Undersecretary ofState for Defence, considers the existence ofsuch a department
likely. Lord Hill-Norton, Admiral of the Fleet, who was Chief ofDefence Stafffrom 1971
to 1973, shares this opinion. This information is found in a book the foreword to which
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was written by Lord Hill-Norton himself (Above Top Secret, by Timothy Good). Admiral
Hill-Norton was among some thirty iords active in a House ofLords group studying UFOs
in the 1980s. Ifthis secret study department does exist, it can be presumed that it works
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in collaboration with the United States (Above Top Secret, pp. 48-49).
9.3 Organization of the Research in Russia
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The Academy ofSciences ofthe USSR has conducted studies on UFOs since 1979 at
least. During that time, Vladimir Migouline, a member ofthis academy, expressed his
opinion in La Recherche regarding the sightings made in the Soviet Union ofluminous
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phenomena and unusual objects: "The vast majority ofthese sightings correspond to real
phenomenajust about the same as those sighted in other countries. But there is no
indisputable proofthat some ofthem involve technological manifestations ofa highly
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developed civilization. It is also necessary to try to connect them with atmospheric
phenomena," he said.
This is the goal that his assistant Platov aimed for in a work published in 1992, UFOs
andModem Science. At that time, Migouline and Platov, heads ofthe expert's group on
abnormal phenomena in the Academy ofSciences, proposed a scientific and technical
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cooperation program to SEPRA, but the CNES management did not follow-up on the
offer. It should be noted that in the Siberian section ofthe Academy ofSciences, the
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studies, which are less well known in the West, do not rule out the extraterrestrial
hypotheses, and even favor it.
During "Glasnost," information was disseminated on the studies being conducted by
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both the KGB and by the military. In 1991, the KGB declassified 124 pages ofdocuments
from Cases ofSightings ofAbnormal Events over USSR Territory, /982-1990, which
covered a total of 17 regions. One ofthese cases, which we detailed in Chapter 3,
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concerns the extraordinary aerial maneuvers of three bright disks over an Army missile
base near Astrakhan in 1989. The objects, which were sighted by seven military members,
went from hovering to high speed and back again all without making any noise. When it
was approached by a Soviet fighter jet, one object escaped so quickly that it seemed to
leave the fighter jet standing still in its tracks.
In 1994, Colonel Boris Sokolov sold ABCNews a collection ofinvestigations
conducted by military personnel from 1978 to 1988. Earlier, in 1990, the newspaper
Rabochaya Tribuna had published an article by Aviation General Maltsev, who
commanded the territorial air defense, concerning a well-documented visual/radar case
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with multiple witnesses (Pereslav-Zalesski, the night ofMarch 21, 1990) in which a silent
discoid object went from hovering to a speed two or three times faster than that ofa
modem fighter jet. We described th.is case in Chapter 2.
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PART3
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UFOs and Defense
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To date, a UFO has not been the certain cause ofany accident or a fortiori any hostile act,
at least officially; no UFO threat has materialized in France, although intimidation
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maneuvers have been confirmed (Chapters 1.1, 2.1, and 2.3). However, numerous
manifestations observed by reliable witnesses could be the work ofcraft ofextraterrestrial
origin. Indeed, if it were a question ofterrestrial craft, these could only be American and,
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despite all precautions taken to maintain secrecy, this would be known. The first
prototype stealth aircraft flew at the end of 1977; the existence ofstealth aircraft became
known about ten years later, in 1988. But credible, confirmed UFO sightings began in
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1944.
Certainly, this subject still sometimes elicits amused skepticism, ifnot a certain mistrust
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with regard to those who mention it seriously, but in the absence ofexplanations for the
phenomena sighted, the hypothesis ofan extraterrestrial origin can no longer be ruled out.
In this third part, we set out to study, from a strategic, scientific, political, religious, and
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media standpoint, the consequences ofthis hypothesis based on present scientific
knowledge.
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Chapter 10 - Strategic Planning
The definition ofa strategy toward an "adversary" requires that one know the
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adversary, understand his intentions, and ascertain his modes ofaction. In the case in
question, we can onJy advance hypotheses formulated on the basis ofthe facts observed
and their interpretation, while trying to answer three questions: Who are they? What are
their intentions? Are they seeking to make contact or have they already done so?
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10.1 What Extraterrestrials? Who Are They and What Are They Like?
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A relative consistency emerges from the numerous descriptions ofthe phenomena:
saucer, luminous sphere or cylinder, hovering followed by accelerations at lightning speed,
the absence ofnoise, easily supersonic speed with no sonic boom, associated
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electromagnetic effects that interfere with the operation of nearby radio or electrical
apparatus. Obviously, these extraterrestrials are highly endowed intellectually and are
technologically advanced over us to have been able to achieve what we do not yet know
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how to do. But the rest remains a mystery! Morphology~ physical make-up, type of life,
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manner ofcommunication and form of society, sense ofvalues, concept chime,
motivations, etc. Ifthey are observing us, it is necessary to note an apparent contradiction
between the interest that they show in us and their furtiveness. Rather than observe us, it
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seems that they want to show themselves to us and to gradually acclimate us to the idea of
their existence.
10.2 What Intentions and What Strategy Can We Deduce from Their Behavior?
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Extrapolation pased on a rational analysis ofthe objectives that the extraterrestrial
civilization or civilizations could be pursuing should permit us to get an idea ofthe
strategies that they are implementing and should consequently lead us, in response, to
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deduce the broad lines ofwhat our own strategies might be. UFOs have manifested
themselves in many places throughout the world in recent decades, with surprising peaks
between 1952 and 1954, without our being able to deduce a well-defined course of action.
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What are they seeking?
After the observation phase and the phase ofdemonstrating that they exist, it would
seem logical to us for them to be seeking to leave their mark and impose their will on the
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States ofthe earth, but at present, nothing allows us to deduce from their manifestations
the existence ofa driving desire serving purposes that we are presently unable to discern.
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It is plausible that preferred contacts can be attributed to the United States. But nothing
contradicts the possible establishment ofother contacts with some European countries or
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even with Russia, China, or Japan, [or] others perhaps ... However, it seems difficult to
imagine that they could _have been able to position themselves on earth with the complicity
ofcertain States. Moreover, the hypotheses ofcontacts do not enable us to deduce the
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existence of some status quo with these visitors. Actually, the sporadic manifestations of
UFOs and even the occurrence ofrepeated waves [ofsightings] have continued since
1947. One would have every right to think that these visitors - fortified by their
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superiority - are showing their intention to continue to make themselves known in the
most diverse locations on the planet and to continue to carry out their plans, the aims and
means ofwhich still escape us. It could be that, before I 94 7 and after, they have had fears
for the future ofearth, a future threatened by risks ofnuclear war. Their influences have
been able to be accompanied by appropriate demonstrations:
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- overflights ofnuclear missile bases, an example ofwhich is given in Chapter 3,
- intimidation maneuvers against aircraft as in Luxeuil and Tehran (Chapters 1.1 and
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2.3),
- witnesses paralyzed, engines shutting off, lights going out (San Carlos de Bariloche,
Chapter 2.5).
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The advances that have been made in the conquest ofspace and in the development of
nuclear technology could be troubling them. Wouldn't it be logical to think that these
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extraterrestrial civilizations have established stations, even colonies, in the asteroid belt
and why not relay stations on the moon? Our forays and projects studied in the United
States for modifying the orbits ofasteroids using H bombs in order to bring them closer to
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the earth's orbit for mining purposes could be disturbing them. For the moment, they do
not appear to be meddling in our affairs, but it is advisable to ask ourselves what they are
actually seeking. Do they want to invade earth? To preserve it from nuclear self­
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destruction? To learn about and preserve the patrimony that our civilizations have created
over the span ofcenturies? In view ofthese uncertainties concerning their intentions, we
can't tell what the future holds and, in particular, we.cannot consider that they will
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continue not to intervene. Some oftheir undertakings in regard to us might, therefore, not
be innocent in the long term. Perhaps they don't have any need for our sensibilities or the
politics ofStates?
10.3 Repercussions ofUFO Manifestations 01• the Official and Unofficial Conduct of
States
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The repercussions have been varied in scope. Based on what can be learned ofthe
reactions ofStates, it is permissible under our hypothesis to classify them as:
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a) States that have no knowledge ofextraterrestrial phenomena_ or believe they are not
concerned.
b) States that know ofextraterrestrial phenomena but have no means to investigate
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them,
c) States that know ofextraterrestrial phenomena and have the means to investigate
them,
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d) States that have entered into contact with one or more extraterrestrial civilizations
and that have established relations and/or entered into political, scientific, and
technical collaboration.
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10.4 Have Contacts Possibly Been Made with One or More States?
Individuals claim to have been contacted for the purpose ofstudies or with a view to
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establishing relations between one intelligent life form and another. Can we imagine direct
and continuous contacts at the highest level ofone or more States, particularly the United
States? It is true that the position ofthat country has been among the strangest since the
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wave [ofsightings] in June 194 7, followed by the Roswell affair in July 194 7 ( cf
Appendix 5). Ifthe Americans were able on that occasion or on other occasions to collect
at least debris or entire wreckage ofextraterrestrial vessels in fairly good condition, and
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even cadavers of humanoids, a certain type ofcontact would then have been established.
First statements and reactions are often considered to be more probative than
subsequent affirmations. Thus immediately following what would later become the
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Roswell affair, General Twining was tasked with preparing a secret report on "flying
disks, •• the existence ofwhich was not revealed until 22 years later in the Condon report.
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It emerges from this that these objects truly do exist. But since then the United States has
followed a policy ofincreasing secrecy ( classification above "top secret " ofcertain UFO
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files, according to General Bany Goldwater) and constant disinformation. The strange
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conclusions of the Condon report are just one case in point. Why would, and how could,
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such an important secret be kept all the way up to the present, despite everything? The
simplest response would be that the United States wants to maintain at any cost military
technological superiority over rival countries and, perhaps, a preferential contact.
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This policy ofsecrecy and disinformation could have been dictated by an
understandable concern for not creating panic reactions or irrational crazes among the
public, or the concern at the time for protecting the country against actions by the USSR,
or else, in a more prosaic and political fashion, not appearing in the eyes ofvoters to be
incapable ofproviding convincing explanations regarding these phenomena. No doubt it
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would not do to undennine the prestige ofthe armed forces, which was incapable of
interdicting these violations ofair space, and invite attacks against the military budgets on
the part ofpolitical opponents. Anything is conceivable, even the fear ofseeing various
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government agencies accused ofhaving lied at one time or another.
Whatever the case, it is symptomatic and illustrative to note that since 1953, the United
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States has equipped itselfwith an impressive repressive arsenal, which is still in force, it
seems. In particular, they enacted two military regulations, AFR (Air Force Regulation)
200-2 and JANAP (Joint Anny Navy Air Force Publication) 146, the first prohibiting the
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public disclosure ofinformation relating to sightings of unidentified objects and the second
making the unauthorized disclosure ofa UFO sighting by the witness an infraction
punishable by 10 years in prison and a $ I0,000 fine. The JAN AP regulation applies to
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military personnel, but also to commercial airline pilots and captains in the merchant
manne.
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10.5 What Measures Must We Take From Now On?
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Whether or not UFOs are extraterrestrial in origin, the UFO phenomenon is already
with us and, at any rate, requires critical vigilance on our part. In particular, the
phenomenon involves risks ofdestabilizing manipulations from a media, psychological,
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cultural, and religious standpoint: panic fear, world wars, psychoses created by sects or
lobbies, etc. These appreciable risks ofcosmic fear, as well as the discovery and no doubt
conquest ofthe cosmos that is to come, henceforth justify, on the part ofthe political,
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scientific, and intellectual elite, a certain degree ofcosmic vigilance calculated to prevent
any shocking surprise, erroneous interpretation, and malicious or unhealthy manipulation.
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Without a doubt, measures must be contemplated on the national and international
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levels. Specifically, whatever the givens are with respect to American political problems,
and in the face ofa posture ofongoing secrecy, how can we conceive ofharmonious
political and military relations among allies, and particularly within NATO, which normally
must be founded on basic trust, if access to information ofincalculable importance ­
particularly technological information - is not shared?
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10.5.1 National Structures
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IfFrance wants to affirm its presence in this domain, it seems urgent to expand
SEPM which must:
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- increase its human and material resources so as to be able to collect information
relating to all UFO manifestations, both in Europe and throughout the world,
- expand its investigation and analysis capabilities,
I·
- boost its representation and foreign relations status.
It would likewise be advisable to create a unit at the highest State level to collaborate
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with SEPRA that would be tasked with:
- fonnulating all prospective hypotheses,
- promoting scientific and technical research and, as such, would have a small minimum
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budget,
- proposing elements of military strategy,
- participating in the establishment of regional cooperation agreements with interested
European and foreign countries. It should be noted that many countries already have
small bodies for the collection of UFO sightings withi.n their armed forces or intelligence
services.
10.5.2 European Structures
It would be desirable then for the European States and the European Union
Commission to conduct every type ofresearch and to initiate diplomatic approaches with
the United States, exerting useful pressure, to clarify this crucial issue, which must fall
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within the scope ofpolitical and strategic alliances. Would it perhaps be opportune for
France to propose to the Commission that it create within it - so as to no longer be blind,
dumb, and paralyzed - a special expanded coordinating body provided with the necessary
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human and material resources?
10.6 What Situations Must We Prepare For?
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What strategies could we map out in the following situations:
- appearance ofUFO and extraterrestrial desire to establish an official and peaceful
I.
contact,
- chance or intentional discovery ofa microbase or base at some location in France or
in Europe: position to adopt toward a friendly or non-friendly power,
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- invasion (hardly likely given the fact that an invasion could have been carried out
before the discovery ofthe atom) and targeted or massive attacks on strategic or
nonstrategic locations,
- deliberate manipulation or disinformation with a view to destabilizing other States.
In the case ofthe first situation cited, we are not precluded from suggesting that the
States that are equipped with sophisticated research and analysis tools will perhaps have
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more chances than others ofbeing chosen as preferred contacts, but at what risks and
advantages?
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Chapter 11 - Aeronautical Implications
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11.1 Why Aeronautical Implications?
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It is not intellectually possible to remain indifferent in light ofan unexplained
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aeronautical phenomenon which numerous civilian and military pilots have come face to
face with. Ofthe several hundred confirmed aeronautical cases, there are primarily five
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types ofimplications:
- simple sighting ofa phenomenon by the crew, passengers, or ground personnel,
- detection ofa track on a radar screen, which occurs in one out offive aeronautical
I
cases, sometimes culminating in the recording ofa track, as was the case on January 28,
I 994, at the Cinq-Mars-la-Pile Control and Detection Center (CDC) ( cf Chapter I),
- interferences with ground (San Carlos de Bariloche) or onboard (Tehran) electrical or
electronic equipment,
- shadowing ofaircraft (San Carlos de Bariloche, RB-47, etc.),
- apparently aggressive conduct ( Colonel Giraud in his Mirage IV, student pilot at
Tours, the Tehran incident, etc.).
The number oftestimonies and the quality ofthe witnesses are such that one cannot dodge
the phenomenon and aeronautic personnel, and more especially defense personnel, must be
sensitized and prepared to deal with the situation. In fact, how can one try to ignore a
phenomenon that is manifested by the regular crossing ofour air space by moving objects
1.
the behavior ofwhich suggests that they are piloted by an intelligent [being]? Can one
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claim, because this appears to exceed our technical knowledge, that it does not fall within
our purview? Ifwe do nothing, the very principle ofdefense and air intelligence would be
called into question.
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The first sightings made by aviators date back to the beginning ofthe 40s. Since then,
the number ofunexplained sightings (after an expert's appraisal: UAP Ds) reported by
pilots or [air traffic] controllers has risen to over 500. As a reminder1.. in France, this figure
is three or four since 1951 . It is the responsibility of the Air Force to take into account
these phenomena, which, until proven otherwise, occur primarily in air space.
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11.2 Who is Involved?
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11.2.1Flight Crew
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The flight crew is naturally involved, particularly the pilots, because whether they are
civilian or military, they are in a more advantageous position for making sightings and
would be the first affected in the event ofan incident (risk ofcollision, in particular). This
is especially true for a combat pilot, because he is trained to constantly monitor the sky
and he now has more and more advanced weapons systems capable ofdetecting faster and
faster and smaller and smaller targets at greater and greater distances. The pilot/weapons
system pair is now more than ever an excellent sighting instrument and would be our first
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means ofintervention if, by chance, this were to prove necessary. The concerns ofa
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commercial airline pilot are different because, in addition to the fact that he does not have
the same equipment, his priority is obviously the safety ofhis passengers. Although he
remains a primary partner in the quest for information, he would be totally powerless in
the face ofan aggressive stance by a UFO.
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11.2.2 (Air Traffic) Controllers
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The radar [air traffic] controller is, ofcourse, involved, but depending on whether he is
civilian or military, the control equipment at his disposal offer him different options. In
both cases, since he is in radio contact with the pilot, it is he who is the first to receive the
sighting report from the crew.
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He must be prepared to note and supplement the sightings transmitted with the clear­
headedness that the distance ofhis position gives him. In regard to radar detection, only
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the military controller has adequate equipment to detect a flying object that does not
follow general air traffic rules. In fact, military air defense radars permit a visual display of
the primary detection, as well as a synthetic display used by civilian [ air traffic] controllers,
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to appear on the military controller's radar scope (see Appendix I). In addition, they are
the only ones who are able to obtain an image ofcraft moving at the supposed speeds of
UFOs. Finally, the means to record and reconstruct radar situations on site at the Control
I
and Detection Centers (CDC) enable supplemental investigations to be conducted, if
necessary.
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11.2.3 Meteorologists
Unusual phenomena are often explained by meteorological phenomena. Questions can
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easily be explained ifthe specialized departments are informed ofthe importance of their
observations. AJI military and civilian personnel specializing in meteorology must
therefore be able to meet this expectation.
..
11.2.4 CNES Engineers
CNES engineers are the French space specialists. They cannot remain indifferent to
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UFO phenomena. Knowledge ofour universe, observation ofthe sky, and surveillance of
anything that is deployed into the sky naturally makes them just the right people to head
up the study ofextraterrestrial phenomena. We have described their work above.
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11.2.5 Engineers in the Aeronautics Sector
I
Engineers in the aeronautic sector are naturally involved. Their work is presel)ted in
the next chapter on scientific and technical implications.
I
11.3 How Do We Involve Aeronautics [Personnel] ?
In order for aeronautics personnel, along with their resources, to be involved, we need
I
to know how to interest them and, in order to do this, how to inform them ofthe
phenomenon, to specify what is expected ofthem, and to define what their reflex
responses should be and what course ofaction they should take.
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11.3.1 Informing Personnel
I
Informing amounts, first and foremost, to getting someone to accept the possibility of
the presence ofextraterrestrial craft in our sky. It is necessary to overcome the fear of
ridicule and to admit that, failing certainty, there are strong presumptions based on a list of
I
examples selected fl-om among the testimonies fl-om the aeronautics world.
Moreover, it is necessary to reach all generations. Informational conferences can be
easily scheduled at aeronautics schools for the young generations (Ecole de I' Air, Ecole
I
Nationale de )'Aviation Civile [National Civil Aviation School] (ENAC, Sup'Aero, etc.),
and for the not-so-young, in continuing education courses and, obviously, at the College
Interarmees de Defense [Interarmy Defense College] (CID) and IHEDN. SEPRA is
I
already holding conferences at ENAC within the framework ofcivilian [air traffic]
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controller training.
This practice just needs to be extended to all flight crew training schools, regardless of
the specialty being taught. For the generations already on the job, these conferences can
I
easily be offered at the Control and Detection Centers and flight units for military
personnel, and, at least for civilian [ air traffic] controllers, at the Regional Air Navigation
Centers (CRNA). As for commercial flight crews, the airline companies - Air France, in
particular - have set up a systematic information sheet for crews that is periodically
I
updated.
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This information must furthermore be updated on a regular basis in the knowledge that
the intended objective is to permit a future witness, whether he plays an active role or is
merely an observer, to be fully aware of what course ofaction to take in the face ofthe
phenomenon sighted. Ifwe want personnel to get involved, it is necessary that they know
how to react in real time and what to communicate and to whom, how to take the
measures corresponding to the present situation, etc. For this reason, it is advisable to
define with them what their reflex responses should be and what course ofaction they
should take.
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11.3.2 Reflex Responses
I
Indeed, it is necessary to instill in_personnel who may face the phenomenon what their
reflex responses should be, in the knowledge that they may merely be simple observers or,
in some cases, have to take concrete measures (for example, at San Carlos de Bariloche,
I
the surprise ofthe landing strip lights going out in the middle ofthe UFO incident). It is
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quite certain that it would be better to be prepared in order to be fully aware ofwhat
course ofaction to take in the face ofsuch an unforeseen and poorly understood event.
These reflex responses differ in type depending on whether it is a matter of sighting,
recording a testimony, transmitting information collected, or reacting in real time in order
to take ad.hoc measures in response to the phenomenon.
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11.3.3 Course of Action to Take
The course ofaction to take seems to us to be summarized as follows: observe, note
I
the maximum amount ofdetails, take photographs if possible, _report, allowing the visitors
the initiative of possibly making contact, and avoid premature publicity in the media.
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11.3.3.1 Objective Observation
In the face ofan unknown situation, one must be on guard against any instinctive self­
I
defense reaction that could be easily interpreted as a provocation. One must just observe
and avoid any initiative aimed at seeking contact.
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11.3.3.2 Reporting
I
Once a phenomenon has been sighted, it is advisable to report it in order to alert the
other crews, on the one hand, which is what is currently done, and the authorities, on the
other hand, through the air [traffic] control chain ofcommand in civilian cases and the air
defense chain ofcommand in military cases.
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11.3.3.3 Remaining Discrete Vis-a-Vis the Public
As a witness to a phenomenon ofthis type, one must know how to adopt a certain level
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ofdiscretion vis-a-vis the press. It is essential to allow scientists [time] to make use of the
information before letting the media trigger the curiosity ofthe general public, which
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could result in the disappearance ofimportant evidence.
Chapter 12 - Scientific and Technical Implications
I
The significance ofthe UFO phenomenon to defense in the broad sense leads to several
proposals.
I
12.1 Stepping Up the Collection and Analysis of Data
It is, ofcourse, advisable to continue and, if possible, expand geographically the
collection, initial analysis, and classification ofdata and testimonies performed
successively by GEP AN and then by SEPRA, which was described in Chapters 5 and 6.
12.2 Establishing a Watch and Initiate Work Upstream
From the studies presented in Chapter 8, it can be concluded that at least a passive, and
preferably an active, techno-watch is required in the fields ofleading-edge propulsion such
as, for example, magnetohydrodynamics. It is truly essential to know what the other
nations are doing in this area. In other high-tech fields, the study of the various
I
testimonies could be combined with appropriate scientific experiments to enable significant_
progress. A typical example is that of particle beams or microwaves, together with their
effects: tools, weapons, etc. All ofthese subjects are, on the whole, more advanced than
I
the technical problems presently under study by DGA or the public research institutions.
Therefore they will not be dealt with unless a decision is made at the highest State level.
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12.3 Encouraging Thought in Order to Place the Phenomena in a Global Context
I
The work mentioned above will enable progress in the partial models ofthe phenomena
sighted, along with considerable spill-over for defense and industry. But the global
interpretation of these well-documented but inexplicable phenomena will require other
I
research. The principal areas ofresearch relate to the extraterrestrial hypothesis; we will
mention ,for reference, the current research on the detection ofextrasolar planets, which
will take a new direction when the VLT (Very Large Telescope) ofthe ESO (European
I
Southern Observatory) in Chile enables them to be observed directly. Each discovery ofa
planet, which is presently made indirectly via the disturbances that the planet causes in its
star, has met with a favorable response in the media.
I
Less spectacular, albeit fascinating to a cultured public, is the research on the origin of
life that is being conducted internationally at a very satisfying rate. It forms the basis of
exobiology, the science ofextraterrestrial life (see Appendix 3). Studies on evolution and
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its mechanisms are currently handicapped by school disputes. They are important to our
subject: How might life evolve elsewhere? Underdeveloped but also important are the
studies on the genesis and future of civilizations. The latter are normally extended by
I
long-term, forward-looking scenarios for our planet and, ofcourse, for others.
Interstellar travel, as visualized in Appendix 4 - entitled "Colonization of Space" - must
be the object ofat least passive monitoring. This subject is currently being dealt with in
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the United States, where numerous NASA or Pentagon study contracts concern
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I
propulsion using antimatter in solar or interstellar space. It was also in the United States
I
where the astronomer Papagiannis won a NASA study contract a few years ago to detect
possible space cities in the asteroid belt located between the planets Mars and Jupiter.
I
In carrying out the study, he examined the photos taken in 1983 by the IRAS [Infrared
Astronomical Satellite] satellite and looked for possible abnormal infrared emissions
coming from objects in th.is belt. It would seem that NASA did not renew Papagiannis'
contract, which apparently did not yield any results.
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12.4 Special Studies
I
Some studies do not come under the "hard" sciences and technologies: for interstellar
voyages, the stability ofthe earmarked societies requires study. What, in particular, is
their minimum size? The different attempts at disinformation made by certain foreign
I
governments should be analyzed discretely, but in depth. The wish ofthese governments
to appropriate for themselves alone any possible futuristic technologies relating to military
I
aircraft and weapons might help explain these attempts (see Appendices 5 and 7). It
would be advisable to already be anticipating the measures to be taken and the decisions to
be made should events such as indubitable physical or radio contacts with an outside
civilization take place.
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Chapter 13 - Political and Religious Implications
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An assessment ofthe impact that the formal confirmation ofthe existence ofUFOs and
extraterrestrial civilizations would have on the political and religious situation ofthe
I
countries on earth could be a bit ofa challenge. However, the task is less arduous when
we try to put ourselves in the shoes ofextraterrestrials who supposedly have chosen earth
as a field ofobservation and/or intervention. We will use th.is method. It is appropriate,
ofcourse, to postulate that the technical and human difficulties have been resolved,
I
permitting us to exceed the limits ofour solar system, and even our galaxy:
I
- Either in secular voyages aboard "ship-worlds," in which thousands ofvolunteers
who have embarked would see their generations reproduce. It is necessary to keep in
mind that these craft will not be able to one day return to earth, at least that is what we are
I
assuming, which would confer - defacto - a political autonomy and freedom ofdecision to
the onboard government independent oforders and programs established prior to
departing earth (cf Appendix 4: "Colonization ofSpace").
- Or, in [voyages of] several months or years - based on totally revolutionary scientific
I
concepts and techniques that remain to be imagined - using aircraft or probes piloted by
classic crews or by bionic androids, which would follow the instructions received from a
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parent station or from earth.
During the course ofthese explorations, we might discover one or more celestial bodies
populated with beings that have evolved more or less similarly to us, "humans," humanoid,
I
or even stranger creatures. They may have created civilizations that are comparable to or
more advanced than our present civilization, or they may be endowed with only
rudimentary aptitudes for civilization, unless they still remain only at the elementary
survival stage.
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(Nora Bene: in this chapter, the numbers in parentheses refer to the references, pp. 87
to 89)
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13.1 Phase One: Observation From a Distance (Remote Sensing and Obscn·ation ?)
It seems reasonable to think that our earthling explorers have received a mission to
peacefully observe these worlds and/or conquer, purely and simply, these new territories in
order to establish a line ofdescendants there (cf. 13.4 below). The state ofadvancement
ofthe local populations will likely dictate the manner ofobtaining, as well as the nature
and duration, ofthese observations, and the initial observations will, ofcourse, be for
analyzing:
I·
- the living organisms, the manners in which they think and live, their languages, their
religions and beliefs, their arts, sciences, techniques and weapons, their political
institutions, their social organizations, and their histories in general,
- the environments in which these populations live, [and] animals, plants, minerals, etc.
This first phase, which excludes any physical or material contact, would be that of
scientific, in vivo laboratory observation: electronic surveillance, remote sensing,
recording, decrypting oflanguages, analyses, evaluations, etc. It is important to
emphasize that this period could last one year, ten years, a century, [or] a thousand years,
why not? Actually, what better scientific experiment - Jato sensu - than that ofhaving
more or less civilized, stagnant or evolving populations, either at peace or at war,
organized in a hundred different manners, no doubt having languages that are foreign to
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one another, each one assuming, in its own way, the organization ofts terrestrial and
celestial cities. In a word, we would be in the situation ofobserving ourselves!
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13.2 Phase Two: In situ Sampling and Furtive Appearances
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The interpretation ofthe data collected can only be complete when a second phase has
been implemented, during which sampling and analyses ofmineral, plant, and animal
elements, and perhaps even elements from evolved beings, are performed. Consequently,
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the question is raised as toAhe types ofcontacts that would be appropriate to establish and
the political, psychological, and religious implications for the local populations that might
result from these contacts: furtive and covert contacts, visible and overt contacts,
I
continuous or intermittent contacts. Ifthe furtive and covert mode ofoperation is
initia.llyselected, it nevertheless could not - at least based on the present state ofour
technology - go completely unnoticed by the indigenous populations. It is permissible to
I
consider that the psychological and religious impacts may vary according to the different
types of political organizations and the levels ofmoral and scientific development
encountered on the same world.
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13.2.l Impacts on Preindustrial-Age Civilizations
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Individuals or masses from preindustrial-age civilizations might note the passage and/or
landing ofour ships or our remote-controlled craft. They might collectively view them
equally as natural, divine, extraordinary, supernatural, aberrant, or diabolical phenomena
I
(frescoes in the Yugoslavian monastery at Detchani, spheres in Nuremberg and Basel in
1561 and 1566 - cf Appendix 6). Furthermore, the collective memories ofthese peopies
and their imagination in general could be more or less sharply marked by such
I
manifestations if they are accompanied, in particular, by the sighting ofour astronauts,
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whether dressed in their coveralls or their space suits or not, or robots, androids, or any
artifacts that we may deem appropriate to disembark or represent. Such appearances, if
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the local authorities note and publicly certify their reality, would undoubtedly have a
creative impact capable ofmodifying the indigenous political and religious conceptions for
some time.
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13.2.1.1 Impacts on Local Religions
I
Since terrestrial a~d celestial orders are closely interlinked in people's minds, the
appearances of spaceships or remote-controlled craft, and, moreover, the appearances of
astronauts or bionic robots, would be capable ofcreating a lasting impression in minds,
I
reorienting religions, inspiring new ones. or originating founding myths. The flying
machines that Ezekiel described at length ( 1 ), the air war of the Ramayana, the Epic of
Gilgamesh (2), the Elohim ofGenesis (3), and the Watchmen of the Sky, mixing with the
I
daughters of men and begetting giants, whom Enoch also speaks of( 4 ), and more
generally, the Immortals, the Sons or the Kings ofthe Sky ofthe Orient and China (5),
I
Japan, the "Land ofGods" ( 6), the Viracochas of South America, the Incas, or the great
gods ofAncient Egypt, the Gods, the Titans, the Giants, the Children ofthe Gods, and the
Heres ofwestern and oriental Antiquity (7), etc., come to mind.
Both supernatural and extraordinary phenomena were part ofthe natural order of things
I
in the past. Would religions founded on the existence of a God or a creative order be
shattered by such apparitions? Nothing is less certain. Once the shock, terror, and
I
curiosity have passed, a new appreciation ofthe cosmic order could replace the old
religious conceptions, without necessarily destroying the divine principle itself. To say the
least, these religious conceptions could be reoriented or even sublimated. God does not
I
travel around in a spaceship. Besides, the great religions ofearth do not condemn the idea
ofthe existence of other inhabited worlds in the universe. Must we recall that certain
collective memories experience aberrations, despite the tangible proofsubsequently
I
furnished to the catechumen (the cult ofthe cargo plane in New Hebrides) (8)?
Bonaparte's military and scientific expedition to Egypt left no trace in the local annals,
which recorded only an interruption ofthe pilgrimage to Mecca (9). Closer to home,
many people did not believe that men had walked on the moon, believing it to be a
publicity stunt or disinformation. It would be appropriate, however, to avoid
I
overestimating this impact, insofar as all ancient civilizations conceived of pantheons, the
I
gods ofwhich were associated with terrifying manifestations of the sea, wind, volcanoes,
earthquakes, or .lightning. It is therefore difficult to say whether they were the avatars of
extraterrestrial influences or, more simply, the product ofthe invention of mythologies
explaining the world.
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13.2.1.2 Political Impacts
I
With respect to the political impacts, these should be much more ephemeral, at least in
appearance. In fact, once the moments ofastonishment have passed, the political
organization of States does not seem to have to be affected in a lasting manner, since
I
contingencies quickly regain the upper hand. However, that monarch or chief of state
could proclaim himselfthe exclusive and privileged interpreter ofthese extraordinary
manifestations. Would he not be tempted to consecrate himself a god-king 9r a king-god
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in the eyes of his subjects?
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Once again without being able to distinguish what is the product ofthe natural and
I
spontaneous search for the legitimacy ofpower from what could actually only be the result
of an opportunity seized by inveigling, we are forced to note that history abounds in god­
kings or king-gods (pharaohs; Assyrian kings; Hellenic epiphanic kings; Roman, Chinese,
I
or Japanese emperors; sons of the Sun ofCentral or South America, etc.).
13.2.2 Impacts on Industrial-Age Civilizations
Industrial-age civilizations are more skeptical than they formerly were and have more
difficulty envisioning what is not a product ofthe immediately explainable or the simply
measurable. However, it is certain that the furnishing ofirrefutable proof ofthe existence
ofextraterrestrials would leave a profound mark on populations such as ours today. Th.is
issue is at the heart ofour report.
13.3 Phase Three: Influences on Local Civilizations
The third phase would be that ofthe influences that we would consider appropriate to
exert on the environment and the civilizations encountered with a view to causing them to
evolve in our fashion. It goes without saying that the advantages and risks would have to
I
be studied carefully.
13.3.1 Influences on Preindustrial-Age Civilizations
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We might consider it necessary, in certain cases, to influence the environment in a
specific manner and the evolution oflocal civilizations in a subtle way. It might seem
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necessary to us, upon completion ofour observations and our analyses, to modify, bit by
bit, the natural environment and the ecosystem by, for example, seeding or introducing
select plants and organisms that are lacking.
I
Likewise, the course ofindigenous civilizations could be gradually modified by
influencing, either from a distance or directly, the qualities or defects ofselect individuals,
accentuating their intellectual and moral tendencies and their scientific knowledge, or by
I
causing genetic mutations by different processes that are yet to be invented.
In this case, it would be a matter of playing the role that these populations would have
willingly reserved for gods, who, by providing sacred texts, would reorient, for example,
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their sense ofmorals, their religiosity, and perhaps their laws and their political
institutions. The use ofelements likely to terrify and impress could be appropriate in some
cases. And, with all due reverence, nothing would prevent one from thinking ofdifferent
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episodes in the Old Testament, the conditions under which the laws of Manu were
instituted ( I 0) or even the Koran given. The influences relate back to a certain number of
enigmas in history, including, perhaps, the concomitant appearance of the great
I
civilizations of the Indus, Mesopotamia, and Egypt ( cities, architecture, writing, calendar,
astronomy, etc.). They also call to mind the extraordinary map ofthe Antarctic, which
was drawn almost free ofice by the Frenchman Oronce Fine in 1531, nearly three centuries
I
prior to the discovery ofthis continent in 1820 ( 11 ).
13.3.2 Influences on Industrial-Age Civilizations
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The nature of these influences will vary according to the type of civilization, its
technological development, and its psychological acclimatization or lack thereofto the
existence ofextraterrestrial civilizations. It would be advisable beforehand to accustom
I
the mind ofthese populations to the idea ofthe probable existence ofextraterrestrial
civilizations (science-fiction novels, films, cartoon strips, video games, advertisements, a
favorable psychological climate, [and] why not suitable sects?, etc.).
I
New and essential technological knowledge could be provided via different avenues or
by means ofchance or provoked accidents with one ofour spacecraft. The contemporary
I
Roswell case thus comes to mind. In order for_this case to be retained in full (or disposed
of), it would still be necessary for the U.S. government to accept to show, communicate
and let analyze, without beating around he bush, all of the elements that it actually
recovered on that occasion.
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13.4 Phase Four: Direct Contacts
A fourth phase would be that of establishing direct contact with the locals or with entire
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populations, whether or not a vanguard ofbionic robots were used. Once again, the goals
sought must be precisely determined. The benefit and true utility ofestablishing such
contacts must be weighed with care in order to calculate the risks and consequences. A
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stringent program could plan for these. However, a serious technical accident affecting
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one ofour spacecraft could be the start ofan unofficial contact, a necessary settlement, or
a colonization, or even, if necessary, an information-disinformation campaign. It is also
advisable to envision the sedition of some ofour crews whom it might be necessary to
disembark or who might decide on their own authority to live on one ofthe worlds
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discovered and, eventually , mix with the indigenous populations, going against orders
received, whatever happens not to intervene or interfere in local affairs. These contacts
presuppose that the worlds discovered are populated with human beings or hominids
I
whose complexion is identical or close to ours. But under the hypothesis of contacts and
planned long-term settlements ofmembers ofour crews, should mixes be prohibited, as
prophylaxis, by imposing a major ban on them ( 12) or, on the contrary, should they be
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tolerated and even encouraged? Bearing in mind that direct or prolonged contacts would
inevitably lead the indigenous populations to believe, infine, that we are not so different
I
from them. It would be prudent, however, to send remote-controlled androids in advance
in order to assess the reactions that such an intrusion would arouse, or to acclimate the
populations to the idea through furtive, episodic appearances.
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13.4.1 Direct Contacts with Preindustrial-Age Civilizations
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It is certain that such contacts would immediately cause the local populations to
imagine that they are in the presence ofgods. Historical parallels naturally come to mind:
the arrival ofthe Spaniards in Central America in armor and on horseback, or, more
generally, the arrival of the Europeans at the time ofthe discovery and exploration ofthe
globe. The impact on populations that had never seen horses, armor that shone brightly in
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the sun, or white men, particularly with blond or red hair, must have been felt strongly.
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However, the shock ofthese apparitions would be quickly lessened with the multiplication
of relations, and even more so ifour crews were to take an eminent place in the local
political and military orders. This, of course, relates back to the different epics ofthe
discovery ofthe world, European colonization, and also the end ofthe western empires.
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13.4.2 Direct Contacts with Industrial-Age Civilizations
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The day would come when we believed that these civilizations, gradually brought to
our level through our efforts, are able to participate in our world. With the ground
prepared in advance, contacts could, for example, be established discretely with selected
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individuals or at the highest level of the States, or ofsome ofthem, and, if possible, be
kept secret. Although leaks should not be ruled out, the leaders selected would then have
to conduct infonnation, disinfonnation, and counterinfonnation campaigns to maintain the
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privileged nature ofthese relations and, who knows, to benefit, from our side, from novel
scientific, technical, and political infonnation, giving them an edge over their rivals. The
selection of States, rulers, key figures, or mere individuals would, ofcourse, be of
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paramount importance.
.
Before or after the implementation ofan influencing program, why not imagine having
bionic robots that look like humans or resemble the living beings there appear in order not
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to risk the lives ofmembers ofour expeditions? Finally, why not purely and simply
present ourselves openly and publicly? It is easy to imagine the huge sensation that this
would cause in all psychological, political, military, strategic, and religious spheres, to say
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nothing ofthe media, [as well as the] multiple meetings and international colloquiums,
unintenupted sessions oforganizations such as the UN, calls for "world unity, "
international consultations, the creation ofwelcoming committees, etc. [ that it would
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prompt]. The rivalry of the States would be interesting to observe.
It goes without saying that our intentions must be perceived as peaceful. Ifthis were
not our policy, there would, ofcourse, be no need to take special precautions to show
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consideration for the sentiments of the local populations. In all of these scenarios, we
should encounter idolaters, sycophants, Herodians, who, out ofa millenialist conviction,
gullibility, pragmatism, or interest, would welcome us with enthusiasm as saviors, capable
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ofsolving all of their problems and bringing them peace and prosperity, preferably without
having to exert much effort. These would be our first allies. Zealots, skeptics, and those
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who have withdrawn into the venerable secular conceptions oftheir world, which has been
turned upside-down, would cast doubt on or deny our existence. Ifthey were to admit it,
they would consider us as so many invaders, whose intentions would be perceived as all
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the more suspect since they would be peaceful. There is but one logical step to take
between that and imagining the creation ofdefense movements and resistance movements
against the invader. The strength ofthese movements would depend, in part, on our skill
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in squashing them, convincing them, in the hope ofattaching them to us.
But how then do we avoid the pitfall ofgood intentions and good sentiments that
everyone knows the road to hell is paved with? (13) Should we admit how long we have
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been observing them? Would they reproach us for not having intervened to prevent a
world war, or would they blame us for it, or, more generally, would they hold it against us
that we changed the course ofcivilizations? Very severe and lasting psychological
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disturbances should be envisioned in these cases.
Would they be disappointed to learn that we are not immortal? Later, economic and
technological exchanges and financial ties should be established with these populations.
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Would it be a wise policy to involve ourselves in local affairs? And in one manner or
another. could we escape the requests to become arbitrators of political disagreements,
peace, war, and economic crises?
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Whatever the case, one day or another we would be in charge ofthe unsolved
problems. Would they not go so far as to reproach us for the contributions ofour very
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advanced civilization, or at least for what we thought would be ofbenefit to them?
Changes ofopinion and attitude toward us could occur over time. Wouldn't groups of
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people be one day tempted to consider themselves our equals, because we did not remain
inaccessible? Protest movements would consequently arise and revolutionary cycles
would no doubt be set in motion, as a result ofwhich we, as well as our Herodian allies,
would suffer. Our global policy would then be compromised and we would have to
consider making our contacts less frequent and, possibly, withdrawing onto our ships and
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retreating. We would then have the time necessary to review our policies, based on
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techniques still unknown from our catechumens.
The discovery of new worlds could enable us to enter into contact with civilizations just
as developed as our own and even far more advanced. Nothing allows us to rule out the
possibility that, why not , we would encounter explorers from other more distant worlds.
Under these hypothetical conditions, it is permissible to imagine that we might have been
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discovered in space first. It would be our turn then to experience - at least in part - the
psychological effects and the political and religious implications that we have described.
What would be the policy oflocal governments toward us? Would they welcome us
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peacefully or would they prudently keep us at a distance? Should we fear seeing nuclear
space weapons or other weapons aimed at ourselves gainst, for example, the bases that we
had attempted to establish or had succeeded in establishing in an asteroid belt close to one
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oftheir worlds?
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What would be the results ofsuch encounters? What relations could we establish and
what influences would we exert on these different types ofcivilizations? Anything is
conceivable. Having come full circle, we thus return to our concerns and our current
questions.
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Chapter 14 - Media Implications
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As was stressed earlier, it may seem extravagant that sensible people, scientists
I
moreover, are interested in unexplained - and for the time being still inexplicable ­
phenomena at the risk ofappearing ridiculous. But, as this report tries to demonstrate,
there are enough questions regarding tangible evidence to justify the scientific interest
generated by these issues. What separates our approach from the media's approach is the
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researcher's curiosity with respect to the research to be conducted in order to solve the
enigmas posed to his sagacity even ifscience has not reached an adequate state to answer
them fully, as opposed to the curiosity of the press regarding a subject with regular
sudden new developments that are likely to produce marvelous scoops, which generally
are not characterized by scientific precision.
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It is not a question of criticizing the press; its aid is often most valuable. But these
fleeting events are supported in part by human testimonies, which are all the more flimsy
since they come from people who are affected by their encounter with "the unknown" and
since they elude the usual benchmarks. The press has a tendency sometimes to either
ridicule the facts reported or to make itself look ridiculous because ofthe excess of
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information extrapolated from the elements described by the witnesses.
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14.1 What Can a Government Fear From the Curiosity of the Media?
- Panic: the media broadcast terrifying information liable to sow panic among the
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population. The famous example ofOrson Welles's fictional program taken literally by
radio listeners in 1938, wreaking tremendous havoc in one region ofthe United States,
may have influenced the reaction ofU.S. military personnel vis-a-vis the Roswell incident
I
in 1947. The disinformation campaign was skillfully conducted, since it has muzzled the
media for 30 years. Panic, which is accompanied by considerable human chaos (suicides,
people fleeing on the roads, riots, and vandalism, etc.) would cause any government for
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which peace alone is a wealth and stability factor for its power to shrink back.
- Mistrust: the fear ofseeing accurate information divulged and repeated with obvious
irony is also a deterrent to openly mentioning UFO questions. This posture is at the core
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of the disinformation and confusion in which public opinion is steeped with regard to what
is true and what is false. It can only be dreaded by decision-makers.
- Fear ofridicule: although ridicule has no longer killed for some time, it is nonetheless
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often difficult to overcome.
- Manipulation: the media can be manipulated by lobbies or pressure groups for
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sectorial purposes (for example, push politicians to create an anti-UFO SDI [Strategic
Defense Initiative]) and could thus become the unwitting spokesmen ofa disinformation
campaign or a destabilization attempt.
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14.2 What Attitudes do the Media Adopt?
- For the tabloids, anything is good ifit sells. The public's curiosity is great and its
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demand generates enticing and often phony articles. AJthough they become the relayer of
incredible theories, it is, on the other hand, thanks to the tabloids that the latest revelations
concerning Roswell made by old witnesses have begun to become known.
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- For the major newspapers, irony or aggressiveness are most often a manner of
broaching a taboo subject that no one has a handle on. But the press can also spread the
news about an extraordinary phenomenon when, as in the case ofSan Carlos de Bariloche,
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dozens ofpeople were witnesses to it. It sometimes also makes a good presentation ofthe
UFO case.
- For television and movies, the subject is in vogue because it can be dealt with as
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fiction, and there nothing checks the imagination ofthe producers. The bizarre fashion
adopted by Channel +",a French television station] for its "Nuit des Extraterrestres
[Extraterrestrials Night]" does not prompt one to take this subject seriously. However,
I
tribute should be paid to several serious and well-documented broadcasts, like that of
"Arte" in March 1996.
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14.3 What Should Be Done?
I
The future ofour planet lies in space. Whether it be overpopulation, a spirit of
adventure, the search for other raw materials, a liking for conquest and colonization, or
other, more or less altruistic, motivations, everything is pushing toward humankind's
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expansion. Will we one day be the extraterrestrials for other planets? When our probes
orbit around more and more distant worlds and film them, what might hypothetical
inhabitants think ofthem?
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We must prepare ourselves for this prospect, and the media can help educate the
masses.
A strengthened SEPRA could usefully dedicate its efforts to the training ofjournalists
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and could create a documentary site on the Internet.
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Conclusions and Recommendations
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The UFO problem cannot be eliminated by mere caustic and offhand witticisms. Since
the publication ofthe first report by the Association des Auditeurs ofIHEDN 20 years
I
ago, CNES has conducted serious studies in close collaboration with the Gendarmerie
Nationale and the Air Force primarily, as well as with other State agencies (Civil Aviation,
I
Weather Service, etc.). These studies tally with other research conducted more or less
discretely abroad, mainly in the United States.
They demonstrate the almost certain physical reality ofcompletely unknown flying
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objects with remarkable flight performances and noiselessness, apparently operated by
intelligent [beings]. With their maneuvers, these flying objects considerably impress
civilian and military pilots, who hesitate to speak [ about them]. The fear ofappearing
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ridiculous, alienated, or simply gullible is the principal reason for this reserve. Secret craft
definitely ofearthly origin ( drones, stealth aircraft, etc.) can only explain a minority of
cases. Ifwe step back and take an objective look over the years, we clearly perceive the
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limits ofthis explanation.
Thus we are forced to resort to other hypotheses. Some can neither be confirmed nor
invalidated. They are therefore not scientific, and, certainly, it is very difficult to
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scientifically study rare, elusive, and random phenomena, when science is based above all
on experiments and their reproducibility. However, the example of meteorites shows that
this type of phenomenon can nevertheless end up being accepted by the scientific
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community after centuries ofdoubt and rejection.
A single hypothesis sufficiently takes into account the facts and, for the most part, only
calls for present-day science. It is the hypothesis ofextraterrestrial visitors. Advanced as
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of 1947 by certain U.S. military personnel, today it is popular worldwide. It is discredited
by a certain elite, but is plausible. Scientists.( astronomers, physicists, engineers,
futurologists, etc.) have elaborated on it enough for it to be receivable - as a hypothesis ­
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by their peers. Different plausible variants concerning the voyage ofone or more
civilizations from a remote solar system to ours have been developed. A model of
magnetohydrodynamic technology, which could be employed to propel the UFOs in the
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atmosphere, has _.reached a significant stage of development. Other manifestations ofthese
objects have begun to receive a physical explanation (automobile breakdowns, truncated
beams [of light], etc.).
The purposes ofthese possible visitors remain unknown, but they must be the subject
ofindispensable speculations and the development ofprospective scenarios.
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The extraterrestrial hypothesis isby far, the best scientific hypothesis. It certainly has
not been categorically proven, but strong presumptions exist in its favor and if it is correct,
it is loaded with significant consequences.
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Based on this prudent but solid assessment, we can make several recommendations:
1) Inform the political, military, and administrative decision-makers, as well as the
aircraft and helicopter pilots. A gradual information campaign could target:
I
- ENA (National Public Management College] and IHEDN, •
- [Ministry ofJ Defense schools: Air, Navale, Saint-Cyr, Gendarmerie, ( officers
and NCO gendarmes), Sante des Armees [Military Health College],
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Polytechnique [Polytechnical College], ENSTA [National College of Advanced
Technologies], ENSAE [National College ofAeronautics and Space), CID,
CHEAR [Center for Advanced~ Armaments Studies], CHEM [Center for
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•
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Advanced Mili,ary Studies], etc.,
- civilian schools and their alumni: Ecole Nationale Superieure de Police
[National Police College], Ecole des Officiers de Police [Police Officers
I
Academy], journalism schools, Ecole Nationale de l' Aviation Civile. At the
latter school, numerous conferences have allowed air [traffic] controllers to be
taught the proper reactions in the event an aircraft encounters a UFO,
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- agencies that support or conduct research for military purposes: DGA,
ONERA, CEA/DAM [Directorate ofMilitary Applications], etc.,
- special civilian and military departments, as well as the Direction de la
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Communication de la Defense [Defense Communications Directorate], DICOD
fonner central SIRPA [Anned Forces Information and Public Relations
Department]), calling their attention to disinfonnation processes.
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2) Boost SEPRA's human and material resources so that it can:
- develop its investigation and analysis possibilities,
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- collect infonnation relating to all UFO manifestations, both in Europe and
throughout the world,
- maintain and develop databases on different aspects ofthese manifestations,
- reinforce its representation and foreign relations status.
3) Make the detection of UFOs an objective for civilian and military space surveillance
systems, which it is necessary to develop for other reasons (prevention of collisions
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between satellites and space debris, etc.).
4) Create a unit at the highest State level to collaborate with SEPRA, that would be
tasked with:
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- fonnulating all prospective hypotheses,
- promoting scientific and technical efforts and, as such, have an annual budget
ofa few million francs,
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- participating in the establishment of sectorial cooperation agreements with
other countries.
5) Initiate diplomatic demarches to the United States, with the support ofother States
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and even the European Union, to urge the superpower to collaborate and, if necessary,
exert useful pressure to clarify this crucial issue that necessarily comes within the
framework ofpolitical and strategic alliances.
•
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6) As speculative as these possibilities are, reflect, at the level ofpublic authorities and
with the aid ofthe unit mentioned in item 4), on the measures to take in the event ofa
spectacular and indisputable manifestation ofa UFO:
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- overt attempt to make contact,
- landing before numerous witnesses,
- other substantial actions.
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These reflections would be carried out methodically, while maintaining, obviously, a
minimum distance.
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Appendices
Appendix l - Radar Detection in France
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Radar detection in France is carried out by two radar station networks, the military
network equipped with both primary and secondary radars and the civilian network
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equipped almost entirely with secondary radars. Primary radar permits one to detect and
visualize on a screen (or scope) the geographic position and the altitude (three-
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dimensional radar) ofall moving objects via the reflection ofradar waves offof the body
ofthe moving object.
Conversely, secondary radar permits the detection and display on the screen only of
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moving objects equipped with a "transponder" that is able to respond to the coded signals
that it emits. Thus any moving object not equipped with a "transponder~' will not be
detected by secondary radar.
I
This detail is extremely important in the case in question, because on]y the primary
radars installed at military Control and Detection Centers (CDC) and radar detection
aircraft, the Air Force AW ACS and soon the Navy Hawkeyes, may detect a UFO,
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provided that the latter is not a "stealth" craft.
Finally, it is necessary to know that all radar information detected by the totality of
radar stations in the territory, airborne warning aircraft, and the radar stations of
neighboring countries are being collected and processed in the STRIDA (Systeme de
Traitement des Informations de Defense Aerienne [ Air Defense Information Processing
Center]) network, thus permitting detection coverage over a square more than 4500 km
per side.
I.
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Appendix 2 - Astronomers' Sightings
by Jean-Claude Ribes
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astronomical object. But we can expect them to be extremely reticent to relate such a
sighting out offear of ridicule, because amateurs are generally desirous of"professional"
recognition. At any rate, no specific investigation has been conducted, to my knowledge,
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in this particular population.
The results oftwo independent studies conducted by professional astronomers with
their colleagues are quite different: in the 50s, Hynek informally questioned some forty
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astronomers, a little more than I0% of whom had actually sighted unexplained
phenomena. Among the latter, Josef Allen Hynek cites Professor Lincoln La Paz,
Director ofthe Institute ofMeteoritics at the University ofNew Mexico, and Clyde
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Tombaugh, the discoverer ofthe planet Pluto, who died in 1997. In the 70s , Peter A.
Sturrock sent a detailed questionnaire to 2611 members ofthe American Astronomical
I
Association, guaranteeing them anonymity. Halfresponded, and sixty sightings were
encountered.
No systematic study of this type has been conducted in France, but a sighting by
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Marseilles astronomers Georges Courtes and Maurice Viton is frequently cited. One of
my colleagues also related to me a sighting that he had made in his youth ofan object with
an apparent diameter ofthe moon (which, moreover, was visible), moving slowly from
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north to south. He was not yet a professional at the time but rather a well-informed
amateur, and he does not see any explanation for his sighting, which he has never
mentioned publicly.
Thus it appears that the percentage ofsightings by astronomers is comparable to that
noted in the overall population, although there is a definite reticence among a vast
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- -
- - - - - --- - - - - -
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majority to mention them without being assured ofanonymity. In addition, the general
opinion ofastronomers on the subject is much less negative than one says sometimes, and
the least that you could say is that there is no consensus, with many wanting an objective
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study ofthe phenomenon without any preconceived ideas. The private conversations that
I have had with French colleagues confirm Sturrock's conclusion: many would refuse to
broach the question with a journalist, but when I speak with them about a serious scientific
I
study, they state that they are in agreement.
Appendix 3 - Life in the Universe
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The question ofextraterrestriaJ life left the domain ofbelief barely a few decades ago
and entered the domain ofscientific research, and the advances in this domain have been
I
very rapid for several years. Beyond earth, the solar system proves to be currently
unsuited to life, but the "Viking" probes have shown that some three-and-a-half billion
years ago, the planet Mars must have offered much more favorable conditions than at
I
present, namely with the existence ofliquid water. Thus it is not ruled out that an
elementary life form (bacteria) could have existed there, as was then the case on earth.
The study offossils is, besides, one ofthe reasons for future Martian expeditions,
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automated first, then with humans aboard. The discovery offossils in a meteorite
originally from Mars, as announced by NASA, is still the subject ofa debate in the
scientific community. But the very existence ofthis debate increases the interest in going
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to take a look on site .
. Outside the solar system, astronomers have long thought that, very generally, the stars
should be surrounded by planetary systems, but it has onJy been in very recent years that
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experience has con.finned this theory: we now know ofa half dozen stars each
accompanied by at least one planet. Biologists, for their part, are making rapid advances
in understanding the chemical mechanisms that give rise to life, and this appears more and
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mqre to be a necessity rather than a coincidence.
Twenty years' experience has shown, from Siberia to the ocean depths, that life adapts
itselfto sharp variations in temperature or to extreme temperatures where it was
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previously considered to be impossible.
For 35 years, radioastronomers have carried out different programs searching for an
intelligent radio signal corning from space (SETI: Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence).
I
No signals have been detected yet, which is not surprising given the immensity ofthe
spatial and frequency domain to be explored. A major NASA program, which was
canceled by the U.S. Congress, was revived using private funds and should improve the
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sensitivity ofthe search by severaJ orders ofmagnitude. The French radiotelescope at
Nan9ay, where several SETI studies have already taken place, will perhaps be included in
this program.
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Appendix 4 - Colonization of Space
I
The second half of the 20th century will have been the half century of the exploration of
the solar system: man on the moon, probes placed on Mars and Venus, others in the
immediate vicinity of the other planets ( except Pluto), comets, and asteroids. The 21st
I
century might be the century of the colonization ofour system, with pennanent human
settlements and preparation for voyages to other planetary systems.
The corning years will see the positioning of the permanent orbital station Alpha, the
I
international follow-up to the Russian Mir program. Next, the Americans plan, in
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principle, to establish a permanent base on the moon, a minimal station like the Antarctic
base. Beyond that, it would be necessary to recreate an ecosystem where the essential raw
material needs (including air, water, and food) could be extracted on site or recycled.
I
Actually, we cannot consider applying the current method on a large scale, where almost
everything must be brought from earth via costly launches.
I
Ecosystems ofthis type were studied by the Russians first (the first experiment was in
1961) and by the Americans, namely with Biosphere 2, a greenhouse 1.3 ha in surface
area, planned to maintain in closed circuit (with an outside power supply) a set of plants
and animals, including the presence of eight people. This experiment, which was carried
I
out initially using private funds, was unjustly criticized by the press and a portion ofthe
scientific community. In fact, despite certain "amateur,, sides, it has already contributed a
great deal: during an initial two-year experiment from 1991 to 1993, four men and four
women lived almost entirely self-sufficiently, demonstrating the validity ofthe principle.
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The recycling ofwater was total, while the recycling ofair was imperfect (it was necessary
I
to add oxygen after fifteen months of total isolation), and the production offood slightly
inadequate (the inhabitants ofthe biosphere left thinner, having started in on the reserves).
After another six-month experiment, the structure was taken over by the University of
I
Columbia, which seems interested especially in the ecological aspect, to the detriment of
the space application. However, it is a descendent ofBiosphere 2 who could represent the
future autonomous moon base ofthe middle ofthe next century. A human settlement on
the moon is first of all a scientific necessity, namely for astronomers. It is also a
springboard into space. Almost all the materials necessary for the construction ofstations
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and spaceships can be found on the moon, the exploitation ofthese resources will be
much more economical than on earth because the reduced gravity and the absence of
atmosphere on our satellite enable an easy and sure launch into orbit.
I
Human expeditions will necessarily follow automated missions to Mars, iffor no other
reason than to verify the past existence oftraces oflife. As for the development of
permanent Martian colonies, this can be envisioned, but one can also imagine skipping this
I
step, by creating artificial planets. The idea was conceived by American physicist O'Neill,
who studied in detail cylindrical structures 30 km in length by 6 km in diameter, in rotation
to create an artificial gravity and able to shelter millions of people in an earth-type
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biosphere.
.
These artificial planets could be constructed in the asteroid belt, between the orbits of
Mars and Jupiter, where we find an abundance ofmaterials that are easy to exploit, which
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will be able to provide numerous chemical bodies, including oxygen and water.
In longer term, and when the industrial-scale manufacture, storage, and use of
antimatter is mastered, smaller models ofthese same craft will be able to leave the solar
I
system. They will be able to reach the vicinity of another star, after a voyage of several
centuries, during which generations will succeed one another in these "ship-worlds"
(unless we have mastered human hibernation by then).
I­
These migrations probably will not take place until after reconnaissance [missions]
conducted by automatic probes [have been completed]. The preferred destinations would
obviously be systems where a planet supposedly shelters evolved life.
I
Imagine that a human expedition settles in the asteroid belt ofa system where a
civilization exists that is quite probably at a lower stage oftechnical development than
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ours (ifthe reverse is true, it is likely that the contact was already made via
telecommunications, or else that the most advanced civilizations made the voyage before
us): for ethical reasons, but also in the interest of a serious scientific study, it could not
afford to intervene openly, at the risk of inducing a fatal culture shock. The study should
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therefore be discrete, using high-speed and silent craft to move through the planet's
atmosphere (MHD propulsion offers interesting prospects in this respect), and non lethal
weapons to avoid the consequences ofan untimely encounter (the paralyzing effect of
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pulsed microwaves is under study in several countries).
When the civilization visited has reached the stage ofspace voyages, it will become
I
necessary to make it aware ofthe existence ofvisitors. One way to do this, without
causing trauma, would be to commit "calculated indiscretions" that would accustom the
population, little by little, to the idea that there could indeed be extraplanetary visits.
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Appendix 5 - The Roswell Affair - Disinformation
I) Roswell: indisputable facts
I
Note: the parenthetical annotation (video) indicates that video testimonies are
available
•
Summer 1947 - The Roswell (New Mexico) base houses the only nuclear-armed
I
bombers in the world. The bombers still have propellers.
June 24 - Sighting of nine UFOs by American Kenneth Arnold. The news is broadcast
throughout the world.
I,
July 8 (morning), Roswell - The base provides the local radio stations with information
that would circle the globe: a flying disk had crashed on a ranch and the military personnel
from the base recovered the debris (video).
I
July 8 (afternoon), Fort Worth (Texas) - General Ramey, Commander ofthe 8th Air
Force, who commands the base, announces to journalists that after examination ofthe
debris, [it was determined that] they were from a weather balloon. He shows them some
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ofthe debris, which the journalists photograph. The affair was buried for over thirty year.
1978 - Lieutenant Colonel Marcel (ER), an intelligence officer on the base in 194 7 who
I
recovered the debris, declares on television that the debris was definitely of
extraterrestrial origin (video). The debris that General Ramey had shown the journalists
was not the debris that Marcel had brought him from Roswell.
I
American ufologists conduct numerous investigations and collect affidavits (sworn and
notarized written statements) and filmed testimonies. Many witnesses state that in July
1947, military personnel had threatened them with death if they talked (video). According
I
to some testimonies, at some distance from the field ofdebris, the Army had found the
frame ofa sort ofspace glider and cadavers ofsmall humanoids (video).
1991 -General du Bose [sic] (CR), who was General Ramey's chiefofstaffin 1947,
I
confirms by affidavit that the latter had substituted the debris from a weather balloon,
which he had shown the journalists, for the debris sent by the Roswell base.
Beginning of 1994 - U.S. Representative Schiff (New Mexico) asks the Department of
I
Defense (DoD) for explanations regarding the affair. Not obtaining any, he requests that
the General Accounting Office (GAO) conduct an inquiry into the manner in which the Air
Force, primarily, had handled the documents relating to the Roswell crash.
I
September 1994 - The Office ofthe Secretary of the Air Force publishes a report on
Roswell: the debris found on the ranch cannot be from an aircraft or a missile. They are
probably debris from a series of balloons from the secret Mogul project. To protect the
I
secret, General Ramey leads everyone to believe it is a weather balloon, the materials of
which ( essentially the shell and radar reflector) are the same. The report shortens the
affidavits ofcertain witnesses so that the strange debris that they describe appears to be
I
debris from a Mogul balloon. It does not mention the frame and attributes the ''bona.fide
testimonies" regarding humanoids to "foggy memory~"
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July 1995 - The GAO report mentions the new Air Force version, and states:
- page 1, "The debate on what actually happened at Roswell continues."
I
- page 2, "All ofthe base's administrative documents for the March 1945-December
J949 period were destroyed, andall radio messages sent by the base from October 1946
to February 1949 were destroyed. The destruction report does not mention when, by
I
whom, and 0 11 whose orders this destruction was carried out. "
The GAO inquiry provided him with practically no documents of interest concerning
the Roswell incident, despite his requests to numerous organizations (CI~ FBI, DoD,
I
DoE, NSC, etc.).
Summer and fall of 1995 - A film ofthe autopsy of an alleged "humanoid cadaver _ in
1947 is aired by about thirty television stations around the world. Its authenticity is
I
questionable, but, above all, nothing in the film proves that the cadaver has even the
slightest connection with the Roswell incident. The hodgepodge is, however, made up in
large part from written and televised press, thus making the Roswell affair look ridiculous.
I
The conclusions ofthe GAO and the videos ofthe principal witnesses presented by TFl [a
French television channel] go unnoticed, lost in the middle ofthe film ofthe autopsy.
1996 - The film Independence Day and the [television] series X-Files make significant
references to Roswell.
I
2) Opinions on Roswell
I
- Very consistent interviews, affidavits, and video testimonies describe the discovery of
material that no one knows how to make in our time: a thin sheet that looks like metal
with very great resistance and that is so elastic that after it has been crumpled up into a
I
ball, it spontaneously returns to its initial shape without the least sign ofa residual fold.
- It does seem that the crash occurred on July 4, Independence Day, at around 2330
hours. The date and time symbolize American power, whence the following
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question [arises]: ifthe crash was in fact that of an extraterrestrial vessel, was it
truly an accident or a was it a deliberate crash constituting a message and/or the
authenticator?
3) Roswell and disinformation
I
The disappearances offiles and the Air Force's clumsy attempts at explaining [the
I
incident] show that U.S. military personnel are hiding something important that occurred
at Roswell in July 1947, just as they concealed their experiments on the effects of
plutonium .on human beings The hypothesis of an extraterrestrial vessel that is supported
by quality testimonies cannot be dismissed.
To protect the secret, the two main types ofdisinformation, reducing and amplifying,
I
were used in the Roswell affair. One should note, however, that the dissemination of
information and contradictory analyses - by ufologists, for example - may be a spill-over
effect ofthis reducing disinformation is apparent in the Air Force report: testimonies on
I
the debris have been cut down so as to give credence to the Mogul balloon hypothesis. It
is also found, more subtly, in Roswell in Perspective, a book by '\Jfologist" Karl Pfloc~ a
former CIA and DoD employee: affidavits mentioning the tear-proof and crease-resistant
I
material are given in full in an appendix, but they are ignored or cited only in shortened
form in the text.
In France, sociologist Pierre Lagrange appears to be a victim ofthis simplified
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disinformation. After having endeavored to put the Air Force report and the publications
of Karl Pflock into perspective, he concluded:
''fl will] close with a bit ofpsychology. Why do manypeople not believe in the
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Roswell saucer like they believe in Mogul balloons or the V2s? Because it reminds them
too much ofpopular science fiction. AsBertrand Meheust emphasizes, the topic ofthe
Martian craft that had the exquisite courtesy to crash in the vicinity ofa military base
I
comes under the heading ofthe technological imagination ofthe beginning ofthe
ce111ury, just like the detail regarding the ultralight and 11/traresistant materials that were
used in its construction. "(the journal Ovnipreserice, February 1995).
I
This is, on the whole, the simplistic theory concerning UFOs stated by French
"socio psychologists." It can be refuted as follows: at the beginning ofthe century,
popular science fiction described light rays capable of killing or healing. Nonetheless,
I
military or medical lasers exist today.
Amplifying disinformation was manifested when the film on the autopsy of the "Roswell
creature" was aired. In expanding the Roswell affair with this spectacular, but
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. .,
questionable, autopsy, some have succeeded in discrediting it and, especially, in covering
up the publi~ation ofthe GAO report and the dissemination ofvideo testimonies. It is
tempting to believe in a well-orchestrated manipulation.
I
4) Reducing disinformation on UFOs
The Air Force has practiced this from the onset, as has been revealed by the astronomer
Hynek, who was an Air Force consultant from 1948 to 1966 and who described how he
aided in trivializing numerous cases by giving them unjustified astronomical
interpretations.
The disinformation policy was intensified as a result ofthe recommendations ofa
'I
"scientific" committee assembled by the CIA in December 1952, the Robertson
Committee, which suggested "stripping the UFO phenomenon ofits aura ofmystery. "
I
The same committee recommended "monitoring" the ufological movements, which were
infiltrated1 by the CIA mainly.
Several key figures have tried to nullify numerous important cases. Philip Klass, then
I
editor ofAviation Week qnd Space Technology, took on, among others, three major
aeronautical cases: Lakenheath in 1956, RB-47 in 1957, Tehran in 1976, which are
described in Chapter 2. He is hardly convincing. In the Tehran case, for example, he
I
correctly cites the testimonies at the beginning ofhis account, but doesn't take certain
aspects into account when he discusses them.
Reducing disinformation is effective on those who do not want to accept the possibility
I
ofthe extraterrestrial hypothesis. Amplifying disinformation is aimed at others.
5) Amplifying disinformation on UFOs
I
This policy was probably implemented very early on~ Adamslci's alleged contacts with a
Venusian in 1952 no doubt fall into this category.
It has become considerably extensive since the resurgence ofthe Roswell affair at the
I
end ofthe 70s. The point ofdepanure is the Bennewicz case. This ufologist physicist
recorded pulsed microwaves from a testing ground at J(jrtland (New Mexico) Air Force
base. He attributed them to UFOs exerting control over "abductees" (lcidnapped humans)
I
furnished with implants! Fearing, it seems, the publication of his recordings, the Air Force
Office ofSpecial Investigation (AFOSI) and, namely, its special agent Doty from the
aforementioned air base, as well as, perhaps, other agencies, induced him to make fantastic
I
"revelations": there were numerous kidnappings, with the placement ofimplants to control
the "abductees." Furthermore, technology transfers were supposedly carried out on bases
in New Mexico and Nevada jointly owned by the U.S. Army and extraterrestrials baptized
I
EBEs, Extraterrestrial Biological Entities.
Bennewicz disclosed this information to American saucerists, many ofthem thus being
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increasingly cut off from the common opinion. John Lear, son ofthe aircraft builder,
contributed on his part details that he had obtained from friends in the Air Force: the
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Nevada base is Groom Lake base, in "area 51 '' (Groom Lake does in fact exist; it is so
secret that the Air Force does not recognize its existence; nevertheless, it is mentioned in
the June 1996 issue ofJane's Defence Weekly). Later, a former Navy petty officer from
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the 2nd Marine Division, Bill Cooper, "revealed" that the Council for Foreign Relations
I
(CFR), which, according to him, governs the world through the Bilderberg [Group] and
the Trilateral [Commission], supposedly does so in close union with the EBEs...
Amplifying disinformation has probably permitted the protection ofresearch on
microwave weapons at Kirtland and on new types ofaircraft at Groom Lake. It has
I
certainJy allowed the weapon of ridicule to be used against certain gullible ufologists.
Appendix 6 - The Long History ofthe UFO Phenomenon - Elements ofa
I
Chronology
The UFO phenomenon truly experienced worldwide dissemination as of pilot Kenneth
Arnold's sighting on June 24, 1947, in the area ofMount Rainier in the northwest United
I
States. In reality, air phenomena that are still unexplained today are much older.
Before going further, it is interesting to note that between May and July ofthis same
year, 850 different sightings were recorded across the United States and that in January
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an RAF Mosquito night fighter tried in vain to intercept a very rapid object detected by
radars over the North Sea.
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In 1946, phantom rockets overfly Sweden
From February to December 1946, many witnesses sighted generally fusiform objects
( occasionally resembling spheres or disks) flying most often horizontally in Swedish skies,
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in some cases leaving a luminous trail, but also capable ofvery suddenJy ascending or
descending.
CaJled "ghost rockets," these apparitions ( close to a thousand were detected)
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considerably worried Scandinavian, British, and U.S. military authorities, who conducted
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investigations.
Although no debris was ever found (officially), it was long thought that it could have
been a case of Soviet tests conducted with craft recovered in German factories. This
hypothesis has since been completely ruled out.
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During World War Il, the "foo fighters"
From 1940 to 1945, numerous aviators sighted either swarms ofred or green luminous
balls several dozen centimeters in diameter or groups ofsmall metal-looking disks that
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followed the aircraft or flew around them, giving the impression ofintelligent behavior.
Most often not detected by the radars ofthe time, they did not seem "material" in nature.
In fact, some observers saw them touch the wings or the tail assemblies ofthe aircraft
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without causing any visible damage to them.
I
First called "Kraut fireballs," then "foo fighters" (probably in reference to a comic
strip), they were reported in all theaters ofoperation as of the start ofthe war. They
began to appear in number during the first major day bombings over Germany. They were
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also observed from the ground and were the subject of numerous reports as ofJune 1944.
These sightings were the cause ofmuch concern to the Allied authorities, who believed
them to be a secret German process in the beginning. It became clearly apparent at the
end ofthe war that it was nothing ofthe sort.
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It seems that, for their part, the Gennan pilots had been persuaded that it was a case of
a secret U.S. weapon. A board ofinquiry reportedly was even created in Berlin to study
the matter.
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The current explanation ofelectrical phenomena such as the Saint Elmo's fires is not
convincing because it does not take into account the diverse characteristics observed. The
files relating to the "foo fighters" seem to have been subject to military secrecy at least
I
until 1949.
Many other sightings concerning much larger, cigar-shaped, disk-shaped, or sphere­
shaped objects were recorded in both camps.
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From 1880 to 1900, "airships" over the United States and Great Britain
During these years, tens ofthousands ofwitnesses sighted flying machines resembling
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modern dirigibles, which were not produced by factories until twenty years later. In most
cases, it was a matter offairly voluminous, fusiform, vessels equipped with powerful
searchlights, often emitting engine sounds, and, in some cases, even seeming to have
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propellers.
In the United States, the majority ofthe sightings occurred between 1896 and 1897.
Other cases were reported, particularly in Spain, Germany, Sweden, and Russia. A
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second wave [ofsightings] occurred at the turn ofthe century in Great Britain.
. ::
The explanation that comes irruT1ediately to mind is that oftrue dirigibles (and right
away we think ofcraft ofGerman origin). However, it has a hard time holding up to a
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thorough examination.
In actuality, in 1880, the technology ofthese craft was still in its infancy. It is true that
Colonel Giffard did conduct an initial test in 1852 with an elongated balloon equipped
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with a very low-power steam engine. Then in 1885, Renard traveled several kilometers
for the first time, overflying Paris with a dirigible equipped with an internal combustion
engine, but it was still extremely slow and not very easy to fly.
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In fact, the first truly efficient aircraft were subsequent to 191 O; however, even the
zeppelins built during World War I far from possessed the characteristics observed by the
witnesses to these phenomena.
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From Greco-Latin antiquity to the beginning of the in~ustrial age
Human beings in all ages have sighted phenomena in the sky that they considered,
I
rightly or wrongly, to be abnormal. It is true that our epoch naturally has a tendency to
doubt the accuracy ofancient testimonies, and especially so the further back into the past
wego.
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During the first three quarters ofthe 19th century, chroniclers related several dozen
sightings ofspheres and luminous wheels resembling present-day UFOs. The 18th century
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was marked by one strange case. Goethe recounts, in fact, that in his youth, in I 768,
during a trip between Frankfort and Leipzig, he and two other witnesses saw a type of
large luminous tube positioned on the ground, surrounded by a multitude of small, very
bright, moving flames.
I
In the 16th and 17th centuries, authors mentioned numerous sightings, not only in
Europe but also in America and Japan. Among these, a few hold our attention due to their
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spectacular appearance and the multitude ofwitnesses. In the skies ofNuremberg, in
April 1561 , a large number ofbrightly colored spheres, disks, and "cigars" seemed to
wage a sort of battle that left a profound mark on the population and caused the
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authorities great concern. A spectacle ofthe same kind took place in August 1566 in
Basel.
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From the year one thousand to the year 1500, chroniclers mentioned various sightings
ofluminous spheres, wheels, lances, or bars moving more-or-less rapidly in the sky. The
monastery at Detchani, built in Yugoslavia between 1327 and 1335, is decorated with
I
frescoes that represent angels enclosed in sorts ofvessels flying in the sky.
(Even further back in time), during the reign ofCharlemagne, it is reported that
Agobard, Bishop ofLyons, succeeded in saving from the stake three men and one woman
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who had descended from an airship, claiming to be returning to earth after having been
kidnapped by celestial beings who allegedly showed them wonders.
Elsewhere, luminous celestial phenomena similar to modern UFOs seem to have been
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relatively frequent in China and Japan, particularly in the Middle Ages.
Several other Latins, Dion Cassius, Pliny the Elder, Titus Livy, Julius Obsequens, and
I
even Cicero relate the appearance oflights in the sky, glowing shields, multiple moons and
suns, [and] golden flying spheres.
As for the _testimonies reported by the Greek chroniclers, these are fewer in number. •
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Daimachos recounts that a globe offire crossed the sky several times during the 78th
Olympiad. Anaxagoras asserts that he saw celestial lights the size ofa large beam.
Appearances ofbeams and shields offire are described several times, by Homer among
others.
I
Appendix 7 - Reflections on Various Psychological, Sociological, and Political
Aspects ofthe UFO Phenomenon
I
Note: these reflections apply primarily to the United States; many ofthem, however,
can be transposed to other countries
A large number ofAmericans are convinced ofthe physical reality ofUFOs, of their
I
extraterrestrial origin, and ofthe fact that the U.S. government is systematically covering
I
up the truth with lies and disinformation.
Most ofthe recent American works that have been published on the subject end with
this conclusion, and almost all ofthem close with a demand for a partial or full lifting of
I
the alleged secrecy. The media frenzy surrounding the Roswell affair (cf Appendix 5),
which experienced a resurgence at the end ofthe 70s after a more than thirty-year
blackout, and which has not ceased to go from new development to new development for
I
15 years, is a typical illustration ofthis line ofthought. By admitting that the
extraterrestrial hypothesis is the good one, the secret, say some, would be kept out of
fear of panic reactions, which, they assure, would not fail to occur, as demonstrated by the
I
unfortunate experience ofthe radio program "The War ofthe Worlds" broadcast by
Orson Welles in the United States in 1938 (only nine years prior to Roswell). This
explanation should not necessarily be rejected; however, it does seem a bit narrow. In
I
fact, the roots of the matter probably go deeper, and the sociopsychological motivations
seem to be more complex.
7.1 The UFO Paradox
I
While a majority ofAmericans seem to support the idea ofthe existence ofintelligent
I
extraterrestrial [beings], a very strong resistance remains in scientific circles, among
leaders, and in most of the media to the idea that these entities, whatever they may be,
have been able to or continue to visit our planet and travel our solar system.
The idea is ridiculed by much ofthe media. At the same time, in this spirit, most
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politicians and the vast majority of members ofthe intelligentsia state that humanity has
better things to do than to chase such rainbows.
I
7.2 Why this Resistance?
7.2.l On the Part of Scientists (from Scientists)
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Given an official attitude ofcontempt, and in view of the fear ofbeing likened to the
activists from "saucerist" sects and the "lunatic fringe," the vast majority ofscientists,
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even though they may be interested, quite obviously hesitate to tackle such a heretical
problem and naturally do not wish to call their reputation, career, and the funding oftheir
research into question (cf. Appendix 2, "Astronomers' Sightings"). This being the case,
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there appear, upon analysis, to be other, deeper reasons.
A general school ofthought has existed for close to two centuries that tends to dismiss
the idea that terrestrial phenomena could be influenced from the outside.
I
At the start, this was a positive, rational, and creative reaction to ancient beliefs.
Compared with ancient times, modem science has, in fact, advanced by eliminating the
gods. It would seem counterproductive and incongruous to bring them back in other
forms.
The idea prevails in almost all minds that man is master of the earth and, by extension,
ofthe immediate cosmic vicinity, that _he is the best nature can produce in this small comer
of the galaxy, and that he alone remains the controller of his destiny. Various American
philosophers have termed this concept "anthropocentric humanism. "
To admit that intelligent [beings], which are not only outside [our planet] but are also
superior due to their scientific and technological knowledge, could have interfered or
might continue to interfere in our affairs, in our domain, or in proximity to it, is considered
by many to be frightening and unacceptable, because admitting it would cause the collapse
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ofthe framework ofcomfortable thoughts ofanthropocentric humanism.
Moreover, in some disciplines such as physics, the risk run is to find oneself confronted
with a science that is more advanced by several centuries, milleniums, or even more.
I
Our own concepts could literally appear infantile, which would completely demobilize
the researchers who employ them.
It is clear that under the hypothesis that the existence of UFOs ofextraterrestrial origin
I
is proven, there is a risk that not only the position ofthe intellectual authorities but, quite
simply, the social position of the scientific elite would be considerably compromised. This
is, furthermore, what happened each time that groups or nations found themselves in
I
contact with a more developed human civilization, with the notable exception ofJapan in
the Meiji period, which it would be advisable to look into.
One can understand that advancing knowledge ofthe UFO phenomenon, at the risk of
I
succeeding, would not necessarily be a thrilling prospect for a number· ofscientists, who
thus might not really want to lend a hand in this effort.
I
7.2.2 On the Part ofPoliticians
7.2.2.1 With a few rare exceptions (President Jimmy Carter, Senator Barry M.
I
Goldwater), the majority of politicians have almost always displayed a very skeptical and
most often ironjc attitude regarding the question. However, some have had a more
positive attitude.
I·
The best known allusions to the possible existence ofextraterrestrials and to the
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dangers that they might represent come from General MacArthur and President Ronald
Reagan.
While he had already touched on the problem in 1955, in a conversation with the mayor
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ofNaples, Achille Lauro, General MacArthur said in an address at West Point Military
Academy in 1962:
"You nowface a new world, a world ofchange. The throst into outer space ... marks a
I
beginning ofanother epoch in the long story ofmankind... We deal now, not with things
ofthis world alone, but with the illimitable distances and asyet unfathomed mysteries of
the universe ... ofultimate conflict between a united human race and the sinister force of
I
some other planetary galaxy. "
[French translation ofthe quote from General MacArthur's address]
General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev, for his part, revealed during a private discussion
at the 1985 summit conference that President Reagan had told him that if earth had to
confront an invasion by extraterrestrials, the United State~ and the Soviet Union would
join forces to repel that invasion.
I
In addition, at the end ofa speech before the 42nd General Assembly ofthe United
Nations on September 21, I 987, President Reagan affirmed:
I
"In our obsession with the antagonisms ofthe moment, we often forget how much
unites all the members ofhumanity. Perhaps we need some outside, universal threat to
make us recognize this common bond. I occasionally think how quickly our differences
worldwide would vanish ifwe were facing an alien threat from outside this world. "
[French translation ofthe quote from President Reagan' s speech]
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7.2.2.2 However, for political leaders, just as for scientists, to be officially interested in
UFOs and extraterrestrials is firstly to risk ridicule before commentators and the media,
who regularly use omission, destructive irony, and even lies.
I
7.2.2.3 But other elements should be taken into consideration. Although a significant
number ofU.S. citizens seem to accept the existence ofUFOs ofextraterrestrial origin,
I
some political leaders might hesitate to call for resources to research this subject, because
they might fear they would then be accused ofincurring expenses for one ofthe most
hazardous ofsubjects.
I
7.2.2.3.1 Under these circumstances, ifwe advance the hypothesis that political
leaders at the highest level in the United States possess unambiguous information
I
attesting to that existence, their situation would be particularly uncomfortable. The armed
forces have officially reiterated for fifty years that this phenomenon does not threaten the
security ofthe country, which does not mean that the phenomenon does not exist.
I
However, there have been disturbing sightings such as visits above secret installations
and missile bases, intense electromagnetic effects, military aircraft shadowed (as in the
RB-47 case) or the object of mock interceptions. In reality, faced with the impossibility of
I
countering this type ofthreat, the authorities may have thus far been tempted to affirm
that it does not exist.
In the absence ofa direct threat, and even though there never truly was any attack in
I
the past, the potential threat itself can appear overwhelming in the eyes of the authorities
(and especially the military).
"They" come from the stars, "their" craft watch us and seem to taunt us, ''they" have
perhaps been on earth for thousands ofyears, and we don' t know ''their" intentions.
"Their" science and "their" technology, thus "their" power, are incomparably superior to
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ours.
Without being completely disarmed, and even taking into account the enormous
resources that we have on the earth and our obvious ability to learn quickly, we can only
feel anxious in the face of"their" presence.
Bringing this out into the open by calling for the manpower and funds to conduct the
I
necessary research is hard to visualize officially for the onJy superpower in the world.
7.2.2.3.2 This is all the more true since, under the additional hypothesis that the
I
U.S. armed forces actually already possess formal proof ofthis threat, for example, in the
form ofextraterrestrial ships that have crashed on the ground, intensive research on
foreign technologies should have already commenced a long time ago under the cover of
the highest level ofsecrecy.
I
As will be seen in 7.3.3, it would then be completely out of the question to divulge this
type ofinformation.
•
I
Indeed, revealing a situation as novel as it is upsetting too quickly would perhaps be
running the risk ofsocial upheavals, accompanied by panic, a demobilization ofenergies, a
multiplication ofmillenialist sects, and a massive move ofpeople to take refuge in
religious fundamentalisms.
The loss oftrust in the leaders in power could even lead rapidly to their ousting.
Given such a problem, their normal reactions would obviously be to gain as much time
as possible by continuing their denials, all the while continuing work in secret and
fervently hoping that their successors will take on the responsibility when the reality
becomes manifest.
7.3 U.S. Leaders and the Politics of Secrecy
I
7.3.l The U.S. Army and UFOs
.
.
.
The U.S. Anny has been directly confronted with the phenomenon since World War II.
It seems to have been the onJy army to have officially broached the problem with
I
considerable resources.
7.3.2 The Spill-Over Effect of the Study of UFOs
I
The U.S. Anny has, in actual fact, designed aircraft that exhibit the characteristics
described by the most reliable witnesses. The spill-overs are potentially considerable in
I
the areas ofpropulsion, materials and structures, stealth technology, and weapons.
7.3.3 Finally, Why the Secrecy?
I
We are currently not aware of the extent ofthe knowledge that U.S. military personnel
have gleaned from all ofthe studies that they have conducted on this subject either based
I
on sightings or, as has sometimes been written, based on materials that have allegedly been
recovered.
Whatever the case, it is clear that the Pentagon has had, and probably still has, the
I
greatest interest in concealing, as best as it can, all ofthis research, which may, over time,
lead the United States to hold a position ofgreat supremacy over terrestrial adversaries,
while giving it a considerable response capacity against a possible threat corning from
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space.
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Within this context, it is impossible for them to divulge the sources ofth.is research and
the goals pursued, because that could immediately point any possible rivals down the most
beneficial avenues. Cover-ups and disinformation (both active as well as passive) would
I
still remain, under this hypothesis, an absolute necessity.
Thus it would appear natural that in the minds ofU.S. military leaders, secrecy must be
I
maintained as long as possible.
Only increasing pressure from public opinion, possibly supported by the results of
independent researchers, by more or less calculated disclosures, or by a sudden rise in
I
UFO manifestations, might perhaps induce U.S. leaders and persons ofauthority to
change their stance.
It does not seem that we have arrived at that point yet.
Glossary
I
AFB Air Force Base
I
EMAA (French] Air Force Chief ofStaff
AFOSI Air Force Office of Special Investigation
I
ENAC [French] National Civil Aviation School
AIAA American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
ESO European Southern Observatory
I
Airmiss Name of the investigation procedure covering the risks ofair collisions
ETCA [French) Central Technical Armaments Institution
ALAT [French) Anny Air Corps
I
FOIA Freedom ofInformation Act
Blue Book Name of the U.S. Air Force study ofUFOs
FUFOR Fund for UFO Research
I
CCD Charge-coupled device cameras
GAO General Accounting Office
CCOA [French] Air Operations Center
GEPA [French) Aerospace Phenomena Study Group
CDC [French] Control and Detection Center
I
GEPAN [French] Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena Study Group
CEA [French] Atomic Energy Commission
ffiEDN [French] Institute for Advanced National Defense Studies
I
CEAT Toulouse Aeronautic Test Center
INRA [French] National Institute for Agronomic Research
CFR Council for Foreign Relations
I
JANAP Joint Anny Navy Air Force Publication
CHEAR [French] Center for Advanced Armament Studies
MEGASETI see SETI, whjch MEGASETI is an expansion of
I
CHEM (French] Center for Advanced Military Studies
MHD MagnetoHydroDynamics
CIA Central Intelligence Agency
I
MOD [British] Ministry ofDefence
I
CID [French] lnterarmy Defense College
MUFON Mutual UFO Network
CIRVJS Communications Instructions for Reporting Vital Intelligence Sightings
NASA National Aeronautic and Space Administration
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CNES [French] National Center for Space Studies
NORAD North American Air Defense
CNRS [French) Natio nal Center for Scientific Research (National Space Agency)
NSC National Security Council
CODA [French) Air Defense Operations Center
ONERA [French] National Aerospace Study and Research Office
CONDON Physicist at the University ofColorado who signed the UFO report ordered by
the U.S. Air Force
I
RAF [British] Royal Air Force
CRNA [French] Regional Air Navigation Center
SEPRA [French] Atmospheric Reentry Phenomena Assessment Department
I
CUFOS Center for UFO Research [sic]
SET Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence
DGA [French] General Delegation for Annaments •
I
SIRPA [French] Anned Forces Information and Public Relations Department
DGAC [French] Civil Aviation Directorate
SPOC [French] Sky Observation Probe System
I
..·
DIA Defense Intelligence Agency
STRIDA [French] Air Defense Information Processing Center
DICOD (French] Defense Communications Directorate
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UAP Unidentified Aerospace Phenomenon
DoD Department of Defense
UAP D Category D Unidentified Aerospace Phenomenon
I
DoE Department ofEnergy
UFO Unidentified Flying Object
EBE Extraterrestrial Biological Entity
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VLT Very Large Telescope
UFO, Unidentified Flying Object ...
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Since 194 7, the subject has disturbed, fascinated, called out.
Oh how debated, the question has been studied with extreme meticulousness and from
I
many points ofview (scientific, technical, aeronautical, strategic, political, religious,
media) by a French committee composed offormer auditors of the very serious-minded
Institut des Hautes Etudes de Defense Nationale [French Institute for Advanced National
I
Defense Studies] and qualified experts from every background, COMETA [Committee for
In-Depth Studies].
I
For the first time, men, some of whom occupy very high positions, have agreed to write
a report devoted entirely to the UFO problem in the belief that based on the knowledge
that has been acquired to date, sufficient questions ofnational interest are raised for the
I
Chief of State and the Prime Minister to be provided with this information.
In this report, COMETA studies several unexplained French and foreign UFO cases.
I
Very well documented, these sightings are often supported by traces on the ground or
tracks confirmed by radar. Are these secret terrestrial craft? In some cases, perhaps. Are
I
we in the presence ofcraft of nonterrestrial origin? This hypothesis cannot be ruled out.
Ifit were to prove correct, it would be loaded with consequences for Defense.
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: Bibliographie
I
Parmi les nombmu livrcs c1 art ides sur noire sujct, de V2lcur no1oi­
rcmcnt incgalc, nowavons juge paniculiercmcnt in1ercssam de ci1cr
les suivants :
CHA.PITRE 2
I
Le cu ra.dar/visuel de Lakc.nhcath (GB)
• Edward U. Condon cl Daniel S. Gilmor
(Rapport Condon)-Scimrifir StuayofUniJmrifiedFlying ObjutJ­
Bantam Books, New York, janvicr 1969.
I
• James E. Mac Donald
(UFOs au-dcssus de Lakcnhcath en 1956) - Revue du Gtpa
(Groupcmcm d'etudc de phenomcnes acricns), mars 1974. (Traduction
d'un anidc de la Flying Saurer &view, ma.rs-avril 1970).
I
• Gordon D. Tbaylcr
I
("UFO cncoun1cr II - Sample case selected by the UFO subcom•
mince of the AIAA : The Lakcnhca1h England radar/visual
UFO Case, August 13-14, 1956") -Aitroruzurirs and Aeronaurirs,
scptembrc 1971.
• PhilipJ. IOus
I
("UFOs over England (Bcntwatcrs and Lakcnhc:11h)") - UFOs
rxplaintd- Random Howe, New York, dcccmbrc 1974 ; Vintage
Books, New York, scptcmbrc 1976.
•J. Allen Hynek
Nt,uveau rapport sur ks ormis- Bclfond, J'ai lu, 1979- p. 154 sq.
I
(Traduction de Tht Hynelt UFO rrport - Dell Publishing Co Inc.,
New York, 1979).
I
I.:avion RB-47 aux" Etau-Unis
• Rapport Condon, op. cit.
I
• James E. Mac Donald
("UFO encounter I - Sample case selected by the UFO sub­
comminec ofthe AlAA : Air Force obscrv21ions ofan Unidentified
Object in the South-Central U.S.,July 17, 1957") -Astronauria and
Am,nauria, juillct 1971.
• Philip J. Kws
I
("The funow RB-47 c::uc") - UFOs cq,lainrd - op. cit.
I
• Brad Sparks
RJJ-47elmronir inulligmre rast ralibrrzudscientificproofofUFO~ ­
confidential copyrigh1cd ma1crial, 1997.
Tt!hcran
• Philip J. IOa.ss
I
("UFOs over Iran") - UFOs, The public tkuived - Promcthcous
Books, New York, 19n.
I
• Lawrence Fawcett Cl BuryJ. Greenwood
Ckar Intent, tht gowrnmmt roverup oftht UFO txptrimu- Prentice
Hall Inc., N.J., 1984 - p. 81 sq.
Russic
• "UFOs on Air Defence radars" - RAborhaya Tribuna, 19 avril 1990.
I
(Traduction anglaisc par le U.S. Foreign Broadcast Information Service
(FBIS), cite par Don Berliner, Marie Galbraith C( Antonio HWlDCtll
dans UniJmrifad Flying Objrrts Briefing D«ummt- publica1ion pri­
CHAPITRE3
Un cas de tcmoins multiples dans une base de missiles russe
• Dossierovni du KGB publiecn 1991 -revue AuraZ. n° I, Moscou,
mars 1993.
(Ci1c dans Unulmrified Flying Objtrts Briefing Docummt - op. cit. ;
cl, de fa~n plus complete, dans O1111is m Rwne-op. cit. - p. 3 I 9 sq.).
CHAPITRE6
Gcpan, notes d'information ct notes techniques :
• Notes d'informaiion :
N° 1, "Observations de phcnomcnes a1mospheriqucs
anormaux en URSS - Analyses statistiqucs"
N° 2, "Les crudes de phenomencs aerospa1iaux
non identifies awe USA", 1• panic
N° 3, "Les crudes de phcnomcncs acrospatiawe
non identifies aux USK, 2• panic
N° 4, "Les crudes de phcnomcnes aerospuiaux
non identifies awe USA", 3• panic
• No1cs 1cchniques :
N° 1, "Analyse du problcmc de pre-traitcmcm des donnecs"
N° 2, "Erudc comparative des rcsultats suristiques c.lemcnuircs
rclatifs aux observations de phenomencs aerospatiaux non
identifies"
N° 3, "Mcthodologic d'un probl~mc : principc ct applications
(methodologic, isoctlic, information)"
N° 4, "Rcchcrchc statisiiquc d'unc typ0logic des dcscriplions de
phenomencs aerospatiaux non idcnlifics" ·
N° 5, comp1c rcndu de l'cnquctc du Gcpan 7_9/03
N° 6, cnquc1c Gcpan 79/07: "Apropos d'une disparition"
N° 7, cnquc1c Gcpan 79/05 : "Apropos d'unc rcncontrc"
N° 8, cnquctc Gcpan 79/06
N° 9, "La magne1ohydrodynamiquc, l'ctat de l'art ct la premiere
experience probatoirc"
N° 10, "Les phcnomcncs aerospatiaux non identifies c1 la
psychologic de la pcrccp1ion"
N° 1I, cnquctc Gcpan 81/02
N° 12, cnquctcs Gcpan 8I/07 ct 8 I/09
N° 13, "Rcchcrchc statiniquc d'unc typ0logic idcnlifiec, non
idcmifiec"
N° 14, mini-cnquetcs en 1981 ct 1982
N° 15, "Rcchcrchc de stereotype: dcssinc•moi un ovni"
N° 16, "Analyse d'unc trace (cas de Trans-en-Provence)"
N° 17, "L:Amaramc"
N° 18, "Systemc d'acquisition ct d'analysc : le point sur !'utili­
sation des rescaux de diffraction".
•Jean-Oaudc Bou.rttt ct Jean•Jaaiues Vela.sco
Ovnis, la scimu auance - Robert Laffont, 1993.
• Dominique Weinstein
Rencontrts Jans~ ciel - rapport pour le MUFON (Mutual UFO
Network), 1996.
• Rapport Condon - op. cit.
I
vec, deccmbrc 1995).
Appendix R: "Lrrurftom gmmzl Twining to Ccmmanding Gmmzi
• Comptc rcndu plus dc1aillc de l'articlc de RAbochaya Tribuna
Anny Air Forr:es", 23 scp1 1947.
par Boris Chourinov dans Ounis m Rwsie - Guy Trcdanicl, 1995
p. 230 sq.
I
-87­

CHAPITRE 7
Propulsion MHD
•Jean-Pierre Petit
Lemur du silmu - Belin, 1983,
• "Recherches pour un avion du futur" - Trchniq~s avandr1 (pla­
qucttc de !'Ecole nation.ale supcrieure des techniques avancecs), 1988.
• Jeao-lliudc rubes Ct Guy Monnet
I.A vie extratnrmrr- Larousse (coU. f..=ntiels), 1990 (epuisc).
• J.-C. BoWTCt Cl J.-J. Vela.sco
(His1orique des recherches sur la propulsion MHD des navires e1 des
aeronefs) - Ovnis, la sdma avan«- op. cir. - p. 171 sq.
• Mike Ross
"Rider on the shock wave" - New Sdmtiu. 17 fcvrier 1996.
Propulsion par ancigravite
• Nick Cook
"Turning science fiction into F.act" - Jane's Defm« ~ek(y, IO juin
1996.
Propulsion dans l'espacc
• Eugene Mallowe et Gregory Matloff
Starjlighr Handbook-John Wiley & sons, 1989.
• Robcn L Forward e1 Joel Davis
Mirror Matter-John Wiley & sons, 1988.
• W. B. Scon (Edwards Air Force Base)
"USAF Predicts Amimancr Propellants could be in use by early
2 I• century" - Aviation ~ek and Spa« Technology, 21 mars 1988.
Pannes de voinuc
• James Mc Campbell
"Self starting engines" - MUFON proceedings, 1983.
(Anide resume dans Ovnis, la scim« avan«- op. cit - p. 181 sq.).
Paralysie de temoins
• Keith Aorig
"The future banlefidd, a blast ofgigawans" - IEEspectrum, mars I988.
• J.-C. Bowrct ct J.-J. Velasco
Ovnis, la sdmce avancr - op. cit. - p. 185 sq.
CHAPITRE 8
• Rapporr Condon - op. cit.
• Lawrence Fawccn et Barry Greenwood
Clearlnrmt - op. cit.
• Don Bcrlioer, Marie Galbraith, Antonio Hunncus
Unidmtified Flying Objects Briefing Docummr - publication privce,
dc:ccmbrc 1995.
• Col. Philip J. Cono (rct)
Thr day after RoswrU- Pocket Books, 1997.
• Headquarters United States Air Force
The RonwUrrpon, casr cloud- 1997.
• Nick Pope
Opm Skirs, CloudMinds - Pocket Books, 1997.
• Tunothy Good
Abovt top U<rrt- Harper Collins, londres, 1993.
(Public initialemcnt chei Sidgwick et Jackson Ltd, 1987).
• V. Migoulinc
"Les phfoomcnes acrospatiaux non identifies a!'crude en URSS" ­
I.A Rrchm:hr, juillet 1979.
I
CHAPITRE 13
I
(I) I.A Bible, livre d'Ez.echiel, 14-14 et 15-28.
(2) Abed Azric, L'lpoplrde GilgamtJh- Ed. Ber lnccrnational (Paris),
1979 - p. 143 : •
I
"{...) Lonq~ /rs grands dinJX cri(T(71t /rs hommr1, cat la mon qu i"/s lrur
destinmnr rt ils ont gardl pour tuX la vie itrrnrlk (.. .) "(Commentaircs
in Jeao Boncro, Babylanr rt la Bible- Ed. Les BcUes Lerues (Paris),
1994).
I
(3) I.A Bible, livre de la Gcncse, VI 1-4:
"Lonqur ks hommrs n,rrnr commend ast multiplirr sur la fau dr la
tn-rr, et que drs fil/rs lrurfarmt nlrs (.. .), ks fils de Din, virmt qur
ks fi/ks drs hommrs ltaimr bellrs, rt ils m prirmt pour femmes parmi I
toum er/ks qu 'ils choisirrnr. (. ..)Alan l'Eumrldit: • Mon Esprit nr
restrra pas toujoun dans l'hommr, car l'hommr n~sr que chair, rt us
Joun srront dr cent 11ingt an.s. » (...) Les giants lraimt sur /a trrre m
m trmp1-la. II m fat dr mhnr aprh qur ks fils dr Dirufarmt 11mus I
avrc ks filks drs hommes rt qu'rlks kur rurmr dannl drs rnfanu ; «
sont w hlros qui farrnt fomrux dans l'antiquirl. •
(Cf. cgalement : livre de la Gcncse, XIV 5, Nombres, .XIII 32-33,
Dcutcronomc, II I 0-11).
(4) I.A Bibk: Ecritr intmrstammtaim-Gallimard, la Plciadc (Paris),
1987:
Livrc des secrets d'Hcnoch :
I
VI 1-2 : "//arriva que larsque ks humains stfarrnr mu/rip/its, ii lrur
naquit drsfi/ks fraichrs rt Jolin Lrs angrs, fils du cirl /rs rrgarderrnr et
ks disirnrnt.
/ls sr dirrnt l'un al'autrr : • Allom nous choisir drsfemmes parmi lr1 I
humaim rt mgmdrom-now drs mfontr. (...). •
VI 6 : "/ls ltaimt m rout drux cmtr. (.. .) •
Vll 1-2: "(...)ils lrur msri,;nnrnt ks drogues, ks charma, la botaniq~ I
et ifs lrur montrnrnr ks hrrbes. Lrsfemmes con(1Jrrnt rt mgmdrnrnt
drs glantr (. ..)"
VIII 1-3 : "Azail apprit aux hommrs afobriqurr da tptes, drs armrs,
drs boudim, des cuirassts, chosrs ensti,;nla par /rs angrs. JI kur montra
Irr mltauxetla manimdr Irr travai/kr. aimi qur Irr bracrlm, Irrparum,
l'anrimoine, Irford drs paupims, toutrs soms dr pierrrs pricieum tt ks
ttintum. fl m rlsulta unegrandr impilrl. Lrs hommes sr dibauchnrnt,
s'lgarn-rnt etItpmiirrntdans U>uW /rs voies.•
X IO: "(... ) /run pms n'obrimdronr rim dr a qu'ils ont dnnandl pour
rux-mmm rt pour rux, a/an qu'ils espmzimr pour twe-mhnrs unr vie
lrrrnr/k rr pour chacun de /run fils dnq cmtr annlrs dr vie. •
(Cf.. cgalcment le livre des Jubilcs: V 1-5: mcme rccit).
(5) G. Pauthicr, Les Ulm!I sacris dr l'Orimt (p.c. Le Chou-King ou
le Livrc Sacre, Part. III, Ch. X-2) - Ed. Au Bureau du Pantheon
Lincraire (Paris), 1852.
(6) Arnold Toynbee, I.A civilisation al'lprruw, GaUimard (Paris) 1951
-p. 89.
(7) cf. les lmmortcls, Dicux, fils cc fillcs des Dicux, Hcros, litans ct
Gcants chez H csiode, Homere, Virgile, Pline, H crodote, Plutarque,
etc., cgalement lcs representations divines ct colossalcs de Memnon,
de Karnak, d'Hc:rmonchis, d'Abou-Simbd ct le Sphinx de Ghiuh,
lcs colosscs de l'ilc de Paques, !cs geants de Barnyan en Afghanistan,
ccux de Ninive et de Khorsabad ; !cs H rimchursars des Eddas scan­
dinaves, le gcam Skrymcr combanu par Thor, etc.
(8) Pc1cr Lawrence, Leculudu cargo- Fayard (Paris), 1974. (Le pre­
mier dcbarqucmcnt de marchandises d'un avion-cargo frappa force­
mcnt !'esprit des Papous, au point qu'ils instaurcrent le "cultc du
cargo", dispensateur de richcsses, bicn qu'ils se soicnt, par la suite,
accoutumcs aux produits occidcnraux ct aux vols des avions).
(9) Arnold Toynbee - op. cit - p. 88 : AI-Gabraii.
-88­

(10) G. Paudiier-op. dL •Manzva..Dtwma-Sasm ou Lois de Manou,
a>mprawit 1cs institutions rdigieuscs ct civiles des lndicn.s", p. 331
ct L : ·u"'""M MDJtN l'llpprod,/(... ) ,kma,kMina d ,kMiMS,
qptmiml.a ch.aindes~tJNnmr""Xo dillins ~
nulld1flla idlades
lndims. 6111 SWttSriwmmtpuwrnik ""111/U.•
(11) •Mais qui a d&ouvcrt l'Antu'Ctiquc ?" - Lil &chnrht, n° 161,
d6:anbrc 1984.
(c£ awsi Ow-les Hapgood-usalrta des llncims rois des mn1 - Ed.
du Rocher (Monaro), 1981 - p. 85 ct s.
(12) Lil Bibk: Etrits intmatmnmlllim- op. dt.
I
Lim: des sccrca d'Hmoch :
X 2: •Or,Jqn-/Mim Mon nom tk N airhn- <t1111,u,na-/Mi qur'4fin
atproche: A1Ule "1 tmr s.-i pmr. 1111 diUltt i.-i IITrivtr111r A1Ule "1 tmr
d dttnurt Inttt1/"t/kJHl1'U·"
1-
X 7 : ·u tmT qur In llntt' ont St1UiJJ« -
IWIUflll. Annoncr'4:u/­
rison tk I. tmT: Dn f;llffll'II III plizk, <t1'1111 la lnnnttins nLpmrontpllS
i UM# ,kl#UI k "'}1tbr mn1rtrirrqur la Vtillnln onl msnflll4 /.run
fils...
. .,
XII 6 : •(...) iJ.,plnnrront '4~tk/.runfi/s, iJ.s 111pplimm1ltnne/J.t­
mmt. ,,,...;, iJn}IIM1rl/'D"' nDC nipitilnip,ux. •
I
Lim: desJubila:
I
V 6-11 : •Lt,p,mintnr des ""tr' <t dest/llllts (. . .)"
Vll 20-25 : •(... ) it,1'11fW In Vtillnln sttATtbml tkl'ordDnn11na l[UiIn
rlfi.slllit/'D"'j"r,mi,[wrn«lafilla des hom,,,n, N prizmtdnfmrmn
I"',.,,,;llnllO «Ua lfU'ils 111JtUn11 choisia, p~k dllna tkl'im•
ptnrtl. ~tdesfils, laNrphilim '!"ilt4imt1'1111 differrnts rt~
d!wn,imt /a llnJ fn ltUlm (...r
I-
(13) Graham Gftate- Un Amiriain bim ll'llnquilk- Ed. Robert
l.aJfont (Paris) 1956.
ANNm2
I
• BndSuigcr
I
•un rappon du projct Grudge : c.ntrctiens du Pr Hynek avec: des
amonomcs" - Ormi.s: k projrtBIIIL Boolt-Bclfund, 1979. p. 178 sq.
• AlleaJ. Hynek
N""""" "'I'/>""1"TIn ovni.s-op. di. p. 27 sq.
• Peter A. Scum,ck
I
•Rq,onon a Sw-Yeyofchc Membershiporthe Amcrian Asaonornial
Society Concaning the UFO problem" -Rlzpport n•681 - Institute
for Plasma R.cscarch, Sandford Universiiy, c.A. janvier 1977.
I
• J..C. Riba ct G. MollDd
I.
Lt, w ~-op. dt.
ANNExE4
I
• O'Neill
us ,,;Jin1k lt1JN1«- Laffont. 1978.
• Ancln!Lc:beaa
L'tsptz« m hmuf.r- Odilc Jacob, 1986.
I
• Paine et al. (National Commision on Space)
l'um«ri"fthe SJM« Frontirr- Bantam Books, 1986.
I
• J..C. Riba ct G. Moanet
Lt, vktxl1'tlln'J'tSI- op. dt.
• Thicny Guadifl et aL
2/00, rmliUI p'°"'4in sik/.r-Payot, 1990.
I
• Jeu-Oaade Boarm ct.Jan•Jacqua V&.co
Ormi.s, 14 Kim« ,n,m,a- op. dt.
I
ANNExES
Roswd.l
• William Moore
Tht RDswrU inddmr - G.P. Putman & sons, USA, 1980.
(En Inn~ : u mynmtk RDswrU-France Empire. 1981).
• Kmn D. Randle
1) UFO muh 111 Ros-II- Avon Books, USA. 1991 (en a>U. avcc
Donald R. Sdunin).
2) 77,r Tl'Mlh 11bDU1 d,r UFO mzsh111 &swrll- Evans. USA. 1994.
3) &murU UFO mz.sh "pdak- Global Comm., USA. 1995.
•Ka.nP8ock
Rmwrllinpmp«tivr-Fund for UFO Rcscarch Inc, Washington DC.
1994.
(Peu objcaif, mais intacssant par Jes affidavits en annexe).
• Ridwd L Wea,,u, Col. de l'USAF
Rrpon on Air Forcr Rm11rch rtlll~int tht •Roswt/J lncitknt•­
juillct 1994.
• United Sates General Accounting Office.
•Rcpon to the Honorable SteYl:ll H. Schiff. HouseofRqmscntariYcs.
Govcmmcnt Records : • Results ofaSearch for R.ccords Conc:cming
the 1947 Cnsh Near R.oswdl, New Mexico._-- juillct 1995.
• Owne de t~bision anglaisc Channd Four
Eruegisucmcna vidro de t~oignages sur lecrash de R.oswdl, la plu­
pan provcnant du Fund for UFO Rcscarch rR.oswdl Rccollcaions,
pan n·. 1992)
Dcsinformation mluctti~
• Kan P8ock
RMwtUin Pmprrtivr-op. dt.
• R.appon Condon
Appendix U : R.cpon ofmeetings ofScientific Advisory Pand on
Unidentified Aying Objec:a {Robenson Panel) - 14-18january 1953
- op. di. - p. -905 sq.
• AlleaJ. Hynek
us objtts 1J01"nts non idmtifiis- Bdfund, 197 4.
(Traduit de 71,r UFO &ptrimct, 11 Kitntifot'N{JU1'J- 1972) .
Dcsinformation ampli6antc
• Milton William Coopu
The Secret GoYCtnmcnt ;The Origin. ldentiiy,andPurpose ofM.J.12
- Fullc:rton, CA• The Author, 23 mai 1989, 25 p.
•Jaome Ouk
C-UFO in the 80'si - Tht UFO mgr/4prdi;,- Omnigraphics Inc.,
Detroit, 1990.
ANNExE6
• Don Berliner; Marie Gtlbraitb, Aatoo.io Haoecm
Unidmtifad Flyint Objtcts briefinl ,/«,,mn,1 - Tht Mt 1111t1il..bk
t11idnu-r-CUFOS, FUFOR. MUFON, 1995.
• Michd Bongard ct alter
Dn so1«011prs vo'4ntn IIMX ovnis - Editions SOBEPS, 1976.

I
I
UFO, Unidentified Flying Object. ..
I
Since 194 7, the subject has disturbed, fascinated, called out.
I
Oh how debated, the question has been s~died with extreme meticulousness and
from many points ofview (scientific, technical, aeronautical, strategic, political,
I
religious, media) by a French committee composed offormer auditors ofthe very
serious-minded Institut des Hautes Etudes de Defense Nationale [French Institute
I
for Advanced National Defense Studies] and qualified experts from every
background, CO:META [Committee for In-Depth Studies].
I
For the first time, men, some ofwhom occupy very high positions, have agreed to I
write a report devoted entirely to the UFO problem in the belief that based on the
knowledge that has been acquired to date, sufficient questions ofnational interest
I
are raised for the Chief ofState and the Prime Minister to be provided with this
information.
I
In this report, COMET A studies several unexplained French and foreign UFO
I
~ases.
I
Very well documented, these sightings are often supported by traces on the
~ound or tracks confirmed by radar. Are these secret terrestrial craft? In some
I
;ases, perhaps. Are we in the presence ofcraft ofnonterrestrial origin? This
1ypothesis cannot be ruled out. Ifit were to prove correct, it would be loaded with
I
~onsequences for Defense.
I
I
I
I
I

S ATURDAY 17 J UNE 2000
---------------------~1=tilid•1@iii=lit¥__,..___________________
UFO's once the
preserve ofthe purely
paranoid are now
being taken seriously.
Astronauts, Generals
and a number of
influential scientists
are hammering away
at the crust of
international
scepticism. LESLIE
KEAN explains why a
study by the French
military may finally
make governments sit
up and take notice.
T
HE release in April of 1he first
detailed satellite images of Area
51 . the 1op-secre1 Air Force test
site in Nevada, prompted a web­
site meltdown as people from
around the world searched for
clues about unidentified flying objects.
"The interest has been really phenomenal,•·
said David Mountain, marketing director for
Aerial Images. Inc which posted the high
resolution aerial photos of A rea 51 on the
Internet. But those hoping 10 see signs of
something extraordinary were destined to be
disappointed. Most of Area 51 s operations
occur
underground,
making
photos
extra-terrestrial origin" and that, in fact, the
and Defense: What Should We Prepare For?,"
unexplained objects have been reported since
meaningless. Anyone looking for the fresh
best
explanation is " the extraterrestrial
published in France by the magazine VSD.
1944. The rest " seem to be completely
information on UFOs would have beller luck
hypothesis." Although not categorically
unknown flying machines with exceptional
tr ying a new, but less publicized source: by the
proven, "strong presumptions exist in its favor
THE MECHAN ICS O F A
performances that arc guided by a natural or
French military. just translated into English.
and if it is correct, it is loaded with significant
MYSTERY
artificial intelligence," they say. Science has
High level officials --
including retired
consequences.•·
developed plausible models for travel from
generals from the French Institute of Higher
The French group reached that conclusion
"The number of sightings, which arc
another solar system and for technology which
Studies for National Defense, a government­
after
examining
nearly
500
detailed
completely unexplained despite the abundance
could be used to propel the vehicles, the report
funded strategic planning agency -- recently
international
aeronautical
sightings and
and quality of data from them, is growing
says.
took a giant step in openly challenging
radar/visual cases, and previously undisclosed
throughout the world," the team declared. _The
It
assures
readers
that
UFOs
have
skepticism about UFOs. In a report based on a
pilots' reports. They drew on data from official
authors note that about 5 percent of sJghtings
demonstrated no hostile acts, " although
three year study, they concluded that,
sources, government authorities, and the Air
on which there is solid documentation cannot
intimidation
maneuvers
have
been
" numerous
mani festations
observed
by
Forces of di fferent countries. The findings are
be easily allributed to earthly sources, such as
confirmed.'"
reliable witnesses could be the work of craft of
contained in a 90-1>age report titled. " UFOs
secret military exercises -
especially since
Given the widespread scepticism about
£.J Irish Independent
SATU R D AY 17 J UN E 2 000
12

NEW FRONTIERS
UFOs. many will quickly dismiss the generals'
ET hypothesis. But it is less easy 10 do so once
the authors' credentials are considered. The
study·s originators are four-star General
Bernard Norlain. former commander of the
French Tactical Air Force and military
counselor 10 the prime minister: General Denis
Leuy. an air force fighter pilot: and Andre
Lebeau. former head of the National Center
for Space Studies (the French equivalent of
NASA in the United States.)
They formed a 12-member "Commi11ee for
In-depth Studies," abbreviated as COMETA,
which authored the report. Three-star Admiral
Marc Merlo. national chief of police Denis
Blancher and Jean-Jacques Velasco. head of a
government agency studying UFOs, as well as
scientists and weapons engineers. were also
contributors. Not only does the group stand by
its findings. it is urging international action.
The
writers
recommend
that
France
establish "sectorial cooperation agreements
with
interested
European
and
foreign
countries" on the mailer of UFOs. They
suggest that the European Union undertake
diplomatic action with the United States
"exerting useful pressure to clarify this crucial
issue which must fall within the scope of

SATURDAY 17 JUN E 2 000
­
-------------------.J
~•:i\tlid•>l••i=id=-1-------------------­
pol ittcal and strategic alliances ... Why
might other nations be inclined to take
this ~ubject seriously?
For one thing,
declassified US government documents
show that unexplained objec:ts with
extraordinary technical capabilities pose
challenges to military activity around the
globe.
For example, US fighter jets have been
scrambled to pursue UFOs. according 10
North American Aerospace Defense
Command logs and US Air Force
documents. Iranian and Peruvian Air
Force planes attempted to shoot down
unexplained
objects
during
air
encounters in 1976 and 1980. and
Belgian
F-16's
equipped
with
automatically guided missiles pursued
UFO's in 1990.
Further, the French
report says that there have been "visits
above secret installations and missile
bases•· and "military aircraft shadowed"
in the US. Dr. Edgar Mitchell, the Apollo
14 astronaut who was the sixth man to
walk on the moon. is one of many
supporters of international cooperation
on UFOs. Of the French report, he says,
"It's significaot that individuals of
some
standing in the government,
military and intelligence communiry in
France came forth with this." Mitchell,
who holds a doctor of science degree
from the prestigious
Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, is convinced "at
a confidence level above 90pc, that there
is reality to all of this." He adds, "People
have been digging through the files and
investigating for years now. The files are
quite convincing. The only thing that's
lacking is the official stamp." He joins
five-star Admiral Lord Hill-Norton, the
former head of the British Ministry of
Defense, in calling for US congressional
fact-finding hearings into the UFO
question.
Hearings
would
include
testimony by government witnesses from
the Air Force, Army, Navy, NASA,
private
industry
and
intelligence
operations
with personal, first-hand
knowledge of UFO phenomena and
related projects.
THE ASTRONAUT AMO
THE INVESTIGATION
Despite the fact that Mitchell is a
national hero and bas been honoured with the
Presidential Medal of Freedom, the USN
Distinguished Service Medal and the NASA
Distinguished Service Medal, his request for an
investigation has been ignored by U.S.
officials.
Nonetheless, the public's interest in UFOs is
undiminished. A ballot initiative underway in
the US state of Missouri, and certified by the
secretary of state in March, urges Congress to
convene hearings. The initiative states that "the
Federal Government's handling of the UFO
issue has contributed to the public cynicism
toward, and general mistrust of, government.·•
US Naval Reserve Commander Willard H.
Miller has been communicating this same
concern to high level officials for a number of
years. With over 30 years in Navy and Joint
lnteragency operations with the US Defense
Department, Miller has participated in a series
of
previously
undisclosed briefings for
Pentagon brass about military policy regarding
UFOs.
Like many. he says he worries that the
military's lack of preparation for encounters
with unexplained craft could provoke a
dangerous confrontation when, and if, such an
encounter
occurs:
"precipitous
military
decisions...
he
warns.
"may
lead
to
unnecessary confusion, misapplication of
forces.
or
possible
catastrophic
consequences.
And he says he is not alone in his concerns.
"There are those in high places in the
government who share a growing interest in
this subject," Miller reports.
Miller retired in 1994 from active duty on
the Current Operations Staff (13) of U.S.
Atlantic Command, Norfolk, Virginia where he
worked operations, intelligence, and special
contingency issues. In a February, 2000
confidential memo prepared for this reporter,
he spelled out the details of meetings with
named officials - including the Director of the
Defense Intelligence Agency, an Admiral on
the Joint Staff. and the U.S. Atlantic
Command's Director for Intelligence - between
1989 and 2000.
Miller concurs
with
the
COMETA's
observation that there is no evidence of
hostility from UFOs ''The only threat to the
national security of the United States is the
continued denial of undeniable physical UFO
occurrences and sightings to a public growing
increasingly frustrated with its government's
weak explanations," Miller says.
Air Force Regulation 200-2, "Unidentified
Fly ing O bjects Reporting,·• prohibits the
release to the public and the media any data
about
"those
objects
which
arc
not
explainable" while allowing disclosure only of
the UFOs that have been identified as " familiar
objects."
An even more restricti ve procedure is
outlined in the Joint Army Navy Air Force
Publication
146,
which
provides
communications instructions for rcponing
sightings relevant to US security. Anyone
"If we persist in
refusing to recognize
the existence ofthe
UFOs, we will end
up, one fine day, by
1nistaking them for
the guided missiles
of_an enemy - and
the worst will be
under its jurisdiction disclosing reports
without authorization is subject to prosecution
under the Espionage Act.
Even the President of the United States
recently had trouble accessing information on
the subject. In 1995, philanthropist Laurence
Rockefeller provided UFO briefing materials
to President Clinton, Hillary Clinton, and
Presidential science advisor Jack Gibbons
while they spent a weekend at Rockcfcllcrs'
Wyoming ranch. Clinton then instructed
Associate Attorney General at the Justice
Department, Webster Hubbell. to investigate
the existence of UFOs. as disclosed by Hubbell
in his book, Friends i11 High Places. Despite
this request from the Commander in Chief,
Hubbell was unable to obtain information on
BREAKING SILENCE: US Naval
Reserve Comma11der Willard H. Milfer
worries that the military 's lack of
preparatio11 for e11co1111ters with
1111expfai11ed craft co11/d provoke
co11fro11talio11. Leslie Ge11era/ Norlai11
f orci11g the establishme11t to think
agai11 about those fights i11 the sky.
Picl11res courtesy ofBernard Tho11a11el
VSD photo archives.
the subject.
T HE D ECADES OF
D ISTRU S T
......................................
In earlier decades, issues that remain
pertinent today were openly discussed. In
1960. for example, US Representative
Leonard G. Wolf of Iowa entered an "urgent
warning" from R.E.
Hillenkoeller, a fonncr CIA Director and
Navy vice admiral, into the Congressional
Record that 'ccnain dangers are linked with
unidentified 0ying objccis." Wolf cited Gen.
LM. Chassin, NATO coordinator of Allied
Air Service, warning that "If we persist in
refusing to recognize the existence of the
UFOs, we will end up, one fine day, by
mistaking them for tl1e guided missiles of an
enemy - and the worst will be upon us."
TI1ese concerns were taken seriously
enough to be incoll)Or.ited into the I971
• "Agreement on Measures to Reduce the
Outbreak of Nuclear War" between the US
and the Soviet Union. The treaty states tl1at
the two countries will "notify each other
immediately in the event of detection by
missile warning systems of unidentified
objects...if such occurrences could create a
risk of outbreak of nuclear war between tlie
two countries."
The French report may open the door for
nations to ~ more forthcoming once again.
Chile, for example, is openly addressing it's
own concerns about air safety and UFOs. TI1e
now retired Chief of the Chilean Air Force
has formed a commiuec witl1 civil aviation
experts to study recent near collisions
between UFOs and civilian airliners.
As tlie international conversation about
UFOs
unfolds,
sightings continue,
as they have for
decades. Perhaps
the most notable
recent US sighting
took
place
in
March
1997.
Hundreds
of
people ·across tl1e
state of Arizona
reported
seeing
huge
triangular
objeclS, hovering
silently in the night
sky - a sighting
that, as the state's
Senator
John
McCain
noted
recently,
has
"never been fully
explained."
As recently as
Jan. 5, 2000, four policemen at different locations in
St. Claire County. Illinois. witnessed a huge,
brightly lighted, triangular craft flying and hovering
at I000 feet. One officer reported witnessing
extreme rapid motion by the craft that cannot be
explained in conventional terms. Nearby Scott Air
Force base and the FAA pull)Ort to know nothing.
The French Institute of Higher Studies for
National Defense and the National Center for
Space Studies remain several steps ahead of the
United States military and_NASA. Perhaps the
report by the bold French generals -- with its goal
of "stripping the phenomenon of UFOs of its
irrational layer" -- will be a catalyst for authorities
around the world to publicly examine the issue of
UFOs in a new light. ■
14

Pilot encounters with UFOs
Study challenges secrecy (and denial)
LESLIE KEAN
SAN FHANCISCO
B
ACK IN JANUARY, Agence
France Presse reported thnt a
Siberian airport was shut for I¼
hours while a luminescent unidenti­
fied flying object hovered above its
runway. Although it's hard to imagine
such an event taking place in the in­
dustrialized United States, a compel­
ling October 2000 study by a retired
aerospace scientist from NASA-Ames
Research Centershows that similar in­
cidents have occurred in America 1
skies over the last 50 years. "Aviation
Safety in America -
A Previously Ne­
glected Factor" presents more than
I 00 pilot and crew reports of encoun­
ters with unidentified aerial phenome­
na (UAP) that appear to have compro­
mised aviation safety.
Author Richard F. Haines, formerly
NASA's chief of the Spnce Human
Factors Office and a Raytheon con­
tract scientist, is chief scientist for the
National Aviation Reporting Center
on Anomalous Phenomena (NAR·
CAP), a research organization found­
ed last year. In stunning detail, pilots
and crew describe a range of geomet­
ric forms and lights inconsistent with
known aircraft or naturaJ phenomena.
Bizarre objects paced aircraft at rela­
tively near distances, sometimes dis­
abling cockpit instruments, intern1pt­
ing ground communications, or dis­
tracting the crew.
The data include 56 near-misses.
Impulsive responses by pilots to an ap­
proaching high-speed object can be
hazardous; in a few cases, such vio­
lent evasive reactions injured passen­
gers and flight attendants. However,
Haines states that there is no threat of
a collision caused directly by UAP
"because of the re-ported high degree
of maneuverability shown by the
UAP." While flying over Lake Michi­
gan in 1981, TWA Capt. Phil Schultz
saw a "large, round, silver metal ob­
ject" with dark portholes equally
spaced around the circumference that
"descended into the atmosphere from
above," according to his hand-written
report. Schultz and his first officer
braced themselves for a mid-air colli­
sion; the object suddenly made a high­
speed tum and departed.
Veteran Japan Airlines 747 Capt.
Kenju Terauchi reported a spectacular
prolonged encounter over Alaska in
1986. "Most unexpectedly, two space
ships stopped in front of our face,
shooting off lights," he said. "The
inside cockpit shined brightly and I felt
wann in the face." Despite the Federal
Aviation Administration's determina­
tion that he and his crew were stable,
competent and professional, he was
grounded for speaking out.
In 1997, a Swissair Boeing 747 over
Long Island just missed a glowing,
white, cylindrical object speeding to­
ward the plane. According to an f'M
Civil Aviation Security Office memo­
randum, pilot Philip Bobet said that "if
the object was any lower, it may have
hit the right wing."
Ground-systems operators
have
also been affected by UAP. "The ele­
ment of sulJ}rise means a decrease in
safety because it diverts the attention
ofair-traffic controllers that should be
focused on landing planes. That is o
danger," says Jim McClenahen, a
recently retired FMair-traffic-control
specialist and NARCAP technical
adviser. "Aviation Safety in America"
does not attempt to explain the origin
of these mysterious objects. But
Haines writes that hundreds of
reports, some dating back to the
1940s, "suggest that they IUAPsj are
associated with a very high degree of
intelligence, deliberate flight control,
and advanced energy management."
In the 1950s, pilots and crews reported
seeing flying discs, cigar-shared craft
with portholes, and gyrating lights, all
with extraordinary technical capabili­
ties. Documents show the unexplained
objects were considered a national ~e­
curity concern. By order of th~ Joint
Chiefs ofStaff, commercial pilot., were
required to report sightings and the un•
authorized release of a Uf'O report
could cost them 10 years in prison or a
$1 0,000 fine.
To keep this information from the
public, officials ridiculed and de•
bunked legitimate sightings, angering
some pilots. According to the Newark
Stnr Ledger in 1958, more than fl()
commercial pilots who hnd reported
sightings, each with nt least 15 years of
major airline experience, blasted the
censorship policy and deninls as "bor­
dering on the absolutely ridiculous."
1l1ese pilots said they were intenu­
gated by the Air f'orce, sometimes all
night long, and then "treated like in•
competents and told to keep quiet," ac­
cording to one pilot. "11,e Air force tells
you that the thing that paced your plane
for 15 minutes was a mirage ora bolt of
lightening," he told the Stor-Led~er.
"Nuts to that. Who needsit?" /\s a result,
manypilots "forget" to repor1 their sight•
ings at all, one pilot said.
According to a 1952 Air f'orce Sta­
tus Report on UFOs for the AirTechni­
cal Intelligence Center, pilots were so
humiliated that one told investigators,
"If a space ship flew wing-tip to wing­
tip formation with me, I would not
report it." The vast majority of sight­
ings by American pilots are still not
reported. The media perpetuate the
censorship and ridicule, handicapping
the collection of valuable data.
In contrast, other countries arc
openly investigating the impact of
UAP on aviation safety. A Im.m f'rench
study by retired generals from the
r-rench Institute of Higher Studies for
National Defense and a government
agency with the National Center for
Space Studies examined hundreds of
well-documented pilot reports from
nround the world. The study could not
explain a I 9!l4 Air f'rance viewing of a
UAP that instantaneously disappeared
as confirmed by radar and a 1!195
Aerolineas Argentinas Boeing 727
encounter with a luminous object that
extinguished airport lights as the
plane attempted to land.
"Aeronautic personnel must be
sensitized and prepared to deal with
the situation," the repor1 stntes. They
must first "accept the possibility of the
presence of extraterrestrial craft in
our sky." Then, "it is necessary to over•
come the rear of ridicule."
In 19!l7, the Chilean government
formed the Committee for the Study of
Anomalous Aerial Phenomena (CE­
FM) following publicly acknowl­
edged observations ofunidentified fly.
ing objects at a remote Chilean air­
port. Both the f'rench group and Gen.
Ricardo Bermudez Sanhuesn, presi•
dent of the CEFM, have made over­
tures to the U.S. government for coop•
eration on this issue, with no response.
General Bermudez, and Air force
Gen. Denis Letty, chairman of the
French group. said in recent inter­
views that the Haines study has inter­
national significance and should be
taken seriously.
13rian E. Smith. current head of the
Aviation Safety Program ot NASA·
,/\mes, agrees. "There is objective evi­
dence in pilot repor1s of unexplained
events that may affect the safety of the
aircraft, " he says. "Yet getting people
to tal<e an objective look ut this subject
is sometimes lil<e pulling teeth."
Indeed, the Airline Pilots Association,
our largest pilots union, and the Flight
Safety Foundation, describing itselfas
"offering an objective view of aviation
safety developments," ignored NAR­
CAP requests for a response to the
study. In phone interviews with this
reporter, representatives dismissed
the report out ofhand.after glancing at
the executive summary.
However, such dismissals may soon
lose ground. Next Wednesday, John
Callahan, former division chief of the
Accidents and Investigations Branch
of the f'M, will disclose f'M docu­
mentation and subsequent CIA sup•
pression of the Terauchi encounter
over Alaska. Callahan will be joined by
more than 20 other government and
military witnesses, and dozens more
on videotape, at a National Press Club
briefing to challenge official secrecy
about this subject.
Retired United Airlines Capt. Neil
Daniels, whose DC-10 was forced into
a left turn because of magnetic in­
terierence of cockpit compasses by a
brilliant UAP, is among the many who
want change. "The energies out there
are absolutely profound," he says. "l
think we need to know what they are."
Leslie Kean is a journalist and au­
thor in the San Francisco Bay area.
'[hr:l)ruuidrnrrJ}1111rmtl
TllllllSl>AY. MAY:I. Wll

L
THEDOST<>NSUNDAYGLOBE • MAY21,2000
E3
SCIENCE &SOCIETY
UFO theorists gain support abroad, but repression at home
Studyby French officials, routine unexplained sightings, US military safety aspects combine to boost believers
BY L~:SLIF. KEAN
ast month's release of the first
detailed satellite images of Area
51, the top-secret US Air Force
test site in Nevada, prompted a
Web site meltdown as people
from across the nation logged on in search
of clues about unidentified flying objects.
"The interest has been really phenom­
enal," said David Mountain, marketing di­
rector for Aerial Images Inc., which post,.
ed the high-resolution photographs of
Area 61 on the Internet.
But those hopingto see signs thatcap­
turecl UFOsare st.oredatthesite (assome
aficionados have suggested) were des­
tined to be disappointed. Mostof Area 61's
operations occur underground, making
photos meaningless.
Anyone looking for fresh information
on UFOs would have better luck trying a
new, but less publicized, source: a study
by the French military, just translated
into an approved Engl.ish edition.
High-level officials - including retired
generals from the French Institute of
Higher Studies for National Defense, a
government-financed strategic planning
agency - recently took a giant step in
openly challenging skepticism about
UFOs.
In a report based on a three-year
study, they concluded that "numerous
manifestations observed by reliable wit,.
nesses could be the workof craft of extra­
terrestrial origin" and that, in fact, the
best explanation is "the extraterrestrial
hypothesis." Although not categorically
proven, "slrong presumptions exist in its
favor and if it is correct, it is loaded with
significant consequences."
The French group reached that eon­
clusion after eJtamining nearly 600 inter­
national aeronautical sightings and radar/
visual cases, and previously undisclosed
pUots'reports. Theydrew on data from of­
ficial sources, government authorities,
and the air forces of other countries. The
findings are contained in a 90-page report
titled "UFOs and Defense: What Should
We Prepare For?"
"The number of sightings, which are
completely unexplained despite the abun•
dance and quality of data from them, is
growing throughout the world," the team
declared.
The authors note that about 6 percent
of sightings on which there is solid docu­
mentation cannot be easily attributed to
earthly sources, such as secret military
exercises.This 6 percent seem"to be com­
pletely unknown flying machines with ex­
ceptional performances that are guided
by a natural or artificial intelligence," they
say. Science hasdeveloped plausible mod­
els for travel from another solar system
ancl for technology that could be used to
propel the vehicles, the report points out.
It assures readers that UFOs have
demonstrated no hostile acts, "although
intimidation maneuvers have been con­
firmed."
Given the widespread skepticism
about UFOs, many will quickly dismiss
the generals' "extraterrestrial hypoth­
esis." But it is less easy t.o do so once the
·authors' credentials are considered. The
study's originators are four-star General
Bernard Norlain, former commander of
the French Tactical Air Force and mili­
tary counselor t.o the prime minister; Gen­
eral Denis Letty, an air force fighter pilot;
and Andre Lebeau, former head of the
National Center for Space Studies, the
French equivalent of NASA
They formed a 12-member "Commit,.
tee for In-depth Studies," abbreviated as
COMET.A, which authored the report.
Other contribut.ors included a three-star
admiral, the national chief of police; and
the head of a government agency studying
the subject, as well as scientists and weap­
i11g this same concern to high level f<'dC'ral
the French report chastises the United
ons engineers.
officials. WiU1 over 30 yeai"!I in Navy and
Stales for what it calls an "imprei;.qivc re­
Not only does the group stand by its
joint interagency operationR with the De­
pressive arsenal"on thesubject., including
findings, it is urging international action.
fense Department., Miller ha.<i partkipat,.
11 policy of disinformation nnd military
The writers recommend that France es­
ed in a 11eries of previously undisclosed
regulations prohibiting public disclosure
tablish "sectorial cooperation agreements
briefings for Pentagon brass about mili­
of UFO sightings.
with interested European and foreign
tary policy regarding UFOs.
Air Force Regulation 200-2, "Uniden­
countries" on the matter of UFOs. They
Like many, Miller says hewonies U1at
tified Flying Objects Reporting," for ex-
suggest that the European
Union undertake diplomatic
I f 1~~1:7"'"'
, .,:I f ', "i , ,
action with the United
\ , •
"'r
States "exerting useful
pressure to clarify this cru­
. ·.··'·"/­
cial issue which must fall
within the scope of political '.'}:
• .'
and stJ'ategic alliances."
I 1r•
•
Why might the United
States be interested-albeit,
'/
. .
privately-in a subject often
met with ridicule, or consid­
t.,;"f.ii.
!'¥.t
ered the domain of the irra­
~.
tional?
'
For one thing, declassi­
fied US government docu­
ments show that unex­
plained objects with ex­
' i.
traordinary technical capa­
bilities pose challenges to
military activity around the
~·)
globe. For example, US
fighter jets have attempted
"' '·~
to pursue UFOs, according
.:i~
r,
to North American Aero­
space Defense Command
logs and Air Force docu­
ii
ments. Iranian and Peruvi­
an air force planes attempt,.
ed to shoot down unidenti­
fied craft in 1976 and 1980.
Belgium F-168 armed with
•missiles pursued a UFO in
1990.
Further, the French re­
port says that there have
been "visits above secret in­
COSTA tl1CAN PIIOIO !AOOVO: UPI PMOIO. 1enow urn: AP PIIOIO (BOTTOM RIGHT)
s tallation s and missile
Images of purported UFOs, taken by, above, a Costa Ric.an mapping aircraft In 1971 and reproduced on
bases" and "military air­
the cover of a report by the French mllltarr, below left, a ZanesYIRe, Ohio, barf>er In 1966; below right, a
craftshadowed" in the Unit,.
edStates.
high school student In Beaver, Pa.; bottom right, teenage brothen In Detroit In 1967.
Edgar Mitchell, the
Apollo 14 astronautwho was
the sixth man to walk on the
moon, is one of many sup­
porters of international c~
operation on UFOs. Of the
French report, he imys, "It's
significant that individuals
ofsome standing in the gov­
ernment, military, and intel­
ligence community in
France came forth with
this."
Mitchell, who holds a
doctorate from MITin aero­
nautics and astronautics, is
r ".'
convinced "at a confidence
level above 90 percent, that
' •
I •
there is reality to all ofthis."
He says, "People have been
lttJ
digging through the files
and investigating for years
now. The files are quite con­
vincing. The only thing
that's lacldng is the official
I
;
et.amp."
I
.
I
I
Mitchell joins five-star
Admiral Lord Hill-Norton,
the former head of the British Ministry of
the military's lack of preparation for en­
ample, prohibits the release to the public
Defense, in calling for congressional fact,.
counters with unexplained craft could
and the mediaof any data about "those ob­
finding hearings into the UFO question.
provoke dangerous confrontation when,
ject.'! which are not explainable." An even
Although Congress seems disinclined
and if, such an encounter occurs; "precipi­
more reiitrictive procedure is outlined in
to pursue the matter, the public's interest
tous military decisions," he warm,, "may
the Joint Army Navy Air Force Publica­
in UFOs is undiminished. A ballot initia­
lead to unnecessary confm,ion, misappli~
tion 146, which threatens to prosecute
tive underwayin Missouri, certified by the
cation of forces, or possible cata.<tlrophic
anyone under its jurisdiction - including
secretary of state in March, urges Con­
consequences."
pilol.<t, civilian agencies, merchant marine
gress to convene hearings. The initiative
And he says he is not alone in his con­
captains, and even some fishing vessels ­
states that "the Federal Government's
cerns. "There are U1ose in high places in
for disclo~ing reports of sightings rel­
handling of the UFO issue haa contribut­
the government who share a growing in­
evant to US secmity.
ed t.o the public cynicism t.ownrd, ancl gen­
terest in thiR fmbject," Miller rcporl.<i.
Although re11earchers have been able
eral mistrust of, government."
to obtain some info11nation through the
US Naval Reserve Commander Wil­
If the US military is concerned about
Freedom of Information Act, many UFO
lard H. Miller has long been commun.icat,.
UFOs, it is not saying so publicly. Indeed,
documents remain classified.
In earlier decades, issues that remain
pertinent today were openly discussed. In
1960, for example, US Representative
Leonard G. Wolf of Iowa entered an "ur­
gent warning" from R. E. Hillenkoetter, a
former CIA director and Navyvice admi­
ral, into the Congressional Record that
"certain dangers are linked with unidenti­
fied flying objects." Wolf cited General
L. M. Chassin, NATO coordinat.or of Al­
lied Air Service, warning that "Ifwe per­
sist in refusing to recognize the existence
of the UFOs, we will end up, one tine day,
by mistaking them for the guided missiles
of an enemy - and the worst will be upon
us."
These concerns were taken seriously
enough to be incorporated int.o the 1971
US-Soviet "Agreement on Measures to
Reduce the Outbreak of NuclearWar."
The French report may open the door
for nations to be more forthcoming once
again. Chile, for example, is ope.nly ad­
dressing its own concerns aboutair safety
and UFOs. The now retired chief of the
Chilean Air Force has fonned a commit­
tee with civil aviation specialists to study
recent near-collisions of UFOs and civil­
ian airliners.
As the international conversation
about UFOs unfolds, sightings continue,
as they have for decades. Perhaps the
most notable recent US sighting took
place in March 1997. Hundreds of people
across Arizona reported seeing huge bi­
angular objects, hovering silently in the
night sky - a sighting that, as the state's
US Senator John McCain noted recently,
has "never been fully explained."
AB recently as Jan. 6, four policemen
nt different locations in St. Claire County,
Illinois, witnessed a huge, brightly light­
ed, triangular craft flying and hovering at
1,000 feet. One officer reported witness­
ingextJ'eme rapid motion by the craft that
cannot be explained in conventional
terms. Nearby Scott Air Force base and
the Federal Aviation Administration pur­
port to know nothing.
The Defense Department maintains it
can find no information acknowledging
the existence of the triangular objects. In
response to a suit by curious Arizonans, it
provided details of its search to US Dis­
trict Court Judge Stephen M. McNamee
of Phoenix. On March 30, McNamee con­
cluded that "a reasonable search was con­
ducted" even though no information was
obtained, and he dismissed the case.
There is one government agencyin U1e
country that has taken steps to prepare
for a UFO encounter. The Fire Officer's
Guide to Disaster Control, second edition
- used by the Federal Emergency Man­
agement Agency and taught at the seven
universities offering degrees in fire sci­
ence - warns of "UFO hazards," such as
electrical fields that cause blackouts, force
fields, and physiological effects.
"Do not stand under a UFO that is
hovering at low altitudes," the book
warns. "Donottouchor attempt to toucha
UFO that has landed."
The text leaves little room for skepti­
cism. John E. Mack, professor ofpsychia­
try at Harvard Uruversity and a Pulitzer
Prize-winning author, stopped being
skeptical a long ti.me ago.
"No culture from the beginning of
time, no culture from anywhere on the
planet, has ever voided the ideaofallother
intelligent life other than ourselves," he
told a UFO conference at the New York
Hall ofScience two weeks ago. ''That's ar­
rogance."
Leslie Kron is afreelance journalistin Ui.e
San Frmu:iaco Bay area.

National Aviation Reporting Center for Anomalous Phenomena
(NARCAP)
The National Aviation Reporting Center for Anomalous Phenomena (NARCAP) is a
national organization, established in November of2000, and is dedicated to the
advancement ofaviation safety issues as they apply to Unidentified Aerial Phenomena
(UAP).
NARCAP investigates aviation related reports ofaerial encounters with lights or objects
that seem inconsistent with known categories ofaircraft and common natural phenomena.
These lights or objects are repo1ted to appear in a variety ofcolors and shapes. Pilots, air
traffic controllers and radar operators repo11 that these lights or objects closely approach
aircraft. Encounters with these lights or objects, UAP, have a demonstrated a variety of
safety related effects on pilots, crew, cockpit discipline and on-board instrumentation.
NARCAP Chief Scientist Dr. Richard F. Haines has compiled a catalogue ofover 3400
aviation related UAP cases. He has conducted a comprehensive review ofUAP reports by
U.S. air traffic controllers and pilots from the past 50 years. A result ofthis effo11 is
Richard's paper" Aviation Safety in America- A Previously Neglected Factor". It
contains analyses ofover one hw1dred reports ofUAP involved in near misses, close
pacing, disrupted avionics, and collisions. These events were repo1ted by US military
aviators, civil aviation professionals, private pilots, and by foreign aircrews operating in
US airspace.
NARCAP has no basis for conjecture regarding the true nature or source ofthese lights
and objects. It is the NARCAP position that certain w1identified aerial phenomena have
an effect on aviation safety that can be quantified. It is the intention ofthis organization
to develop a body ofdata that will stand up to scientific scrutiny and serve as a basis for
understanding this phenomenon.
It is our hope that aviation professionals will recognize the impottance ofthis work and
contact NARCAP with their repo11s ofencounters with UAP. Often, though not always,
repo11ers are concerned about their confidentiality. We are not associated with the FAA
or other government agencies, or the airlines. With regards to employers, the FAA, and
the media, we have a process in place to ensure that confidentiality is protected.
For more information contact:
Ted Roe, Executive Director
(83 l) 338-4783
Or email
admin@narcap.org
Or go to Our Website
www.narcap.org
To repo11 UAP encounters call
(800) 732-3666

UFO Shuts Down Russian Airport
MOSCOW, Jan 27, 2001 -- (Agence France Presse) An airport in
southern Siberia was shut down for an hour and a half on Friday
when an unidentified flying object (UFO) was detected hovering
above its runway, the lnterfax newsagency reported.
The crew of an 11-76 cargo aircraft refused to take off, claiming they
saw a luminescent object hovering above the runway of the Siberia's
Barnaul airport, local aviation company director Ivan Komarov was
quoted as saying.
The crew of another cargo plane, refusing to use the runway for the
same reason, landed their jet at another airport, Komarov said.
The UFO took off and vanished from the airport 90 minutes later,
according to the report. ((c) 2001 Agence France Presse)

LESLIE KEAN
Radio Host/Producer 1998 - 2001
Associate/Senior Producer and co-host of daily, drive-time investigative news magazine "Flashpoints" on
public radio KPF A in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Feature stories, domestic
the Boston Globe, the Baltimore Sun, the Sacramento Bee, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, The Nation, the
Progressive, the San Francisco Bay Guardian, The Providence Journal, The Commercial Appeal, Burma
Debate, and the Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
Feature stories, international
the International Herald Tribune, the Globe and Mail (Canada), the Vancouver Sun, the Sydney Morning
Herald (Australia), the Kyoto Journal (Japan), the Nation (Thailand), Internazionale (Italy), VSD
(France), the Irish Independent.
Op-cd pieces
the Boston Globe, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Journal ofCommerce, the Bangkok Post, the St. Louis
Post Dispatch, the Providence Journal Bulletin, the San Francisco Examiner and The Nation.
Syndication
Knight-Ridder, Scripps-Howard, New York Times Wire Service, Pacific News Service and the National
Publishers Association (NNPA).
Books/ Anthologies/Coll ections
Perspectives: Drugs and Society (Comsewise Publishing, Inc. 2000)
Stone Soup for the World (Conari Press, 1998)
Drugs, Society and Behavior 98/99 (Dushkin/McGraw -Hill, 1998)
Burma 's Revolution ofthe Spirit: The Struggle/or Democratic Freedom and Dignity (Aperture, 1994),
co-authored with Alan Clements
Director, The Burma Project USA, 1991 - present
Hwnan rights and media advocacy
Radio interviews
The Michael Jackson Show (KRLA, Los Angeles); Hightower Radio (over 100 stations); Mike Malloy
Show (WLS Chicago, the ABC station); Coast to Coast AM (audience of 10 to 20 million); Dreamland
with Whitley Strieber (audience I million); Democracy Now with Amy Goodman (Pacifica national); The
Gerry Ryan Show (Channel 2, National radio Ireland) and many others.
Honors
The fund for Investigative Journalism: grants, 1996, 1997 and 1998
Project Censored Honorable Mention: 1998
The Nation Institute: grant, 1997
Cover stoiy selected by The Nation as their submission for the George Polk Award, 1996