In the era when the sky is full of drones, satellites and advanced aviation technologies, phenomena known as UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects – Unidentified Flying Objects) – now more often referred to as UAPs (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena – Unknown anomalies) still arouse fascination and controversy. The declassification of documents related to these phenomena by the United States government is a process that has evolved from top-secret investigations in the mid-20th century to increasing openness in recent years.
History of Declassification: From Project Blue Book to Federal Archives
Początki zainteresowania rządu USA zjawiskami UFO sięgają lat 40. XX wieku. W 1947 roku, po głośnym incydencie z pilotem Kennethem Arnoldem, który zgłosił obserwację “latających talerzy” nad Górami Kaskadowymi, Siły Powietrzne USA (US Air Force) rozpoczęły systematyczne badania. To doprowadziło do powstania Project Blue Book – programu, który w latach 1947–1969 zebrał ponad 12 tysięcy raportów o UFO. Większość z nich wyjaśniono jako zjawiska naturalne lub konwencjonalne obiekty, ale około 700 pozostało niewyjaśnionych. Dokumenty z tego projektu zostały w dużej mierze odtajnione w latach 70. i są dostępne w archiwach Sił Powietrznych.
Other federal agencies also collected data. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) examined UFO reports in 1947–1954, and their documents, available at the FBI Vault, reveal the agency's role in verifying reports, often in the context of fears of national security threats during the Cold War. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has declassified hundreds of documents as part of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), including those concerning foreign reports about UFOs, highlighting the lack of evidence of extraterrestrial origin. The National Security Agency (NSA) has released historical, declassified reports, often in the form of copies that document early observations.
U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) store these materials in different groups In 2024, under the National Defense Authority Act (NDAA), a special collection of Unidentified Anonymous Phenomena Records Collection (Record Group 615) was created to which federal agencies transmit declassified UAP documents. This process is continuous and records are added on an ongoing basis and made available online via the NARA directory.
Modern Development: From AATIP to AARO
W XXI wieku zainteresowanie UAP wzrosło dzięki programom takim jak Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), prowadzonym przez Pentagon w latach 2007–2012. W 2017 roku “New York Times” ujawnił istnienie programu, co doprowadziło do publikacji filmów z obserwacjami UAP przez pilotów marynarki wojennej. W 2021 roku Biuro Dyrektora Wywiadu Narodowego (ODNI) opublikowało wstępny raport o UAP, stwierdzając, że większość zjawisk pozostaje niewyjaśniona, ale nie ma dowodów na technologie pozaziemskie.
The key role played by the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), formed in 2022, which coordinates the U.S. government efforts in the UAP study. AARO conducts investigations, analyses reports and promotes transparency, although some reports indicate insufficient data.
Congressional Hearings in 2025: New Testimonies and Calls to Transparency
The year 2025 brought significant events in the process of declassification. In September, the U.S. Congress organised a third UAP hearing since 2023, led by Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets within the House of Representatives Supervisory Committee. Witnesses, including military veterans and UAP eyewitnesses, shared new evidence, including a never-released video showing the interaction of the Hellfire missile with an unknown object. The hearing focused on the need for greater government transparency, stressing that citizens have the right to the truth about the UAP.
Additionally, in the context of Donald Trump's return to the White House, there was speculation about possible declassification of UFO files by the end of 2025. Bets on platforms such as Polymarket show growing interest, although so far no formal order has been issued on this issue. W listopadzie 2025 roku premiera dokumentu “The Age of Disclosure” podkreśliła wysiłki Kongresu w dążeniu do ujawnienia informacji.
Meaning of Declassification: Between Science and Security
Declassification of UFO/UAP documents is crucial for science, national security and public trust. It allows you to analyze potential threats, such as advanced technologies of hostile states, and dispels myths of extraterrestrial visits. However, critics point to a slow process and potential concealment of information. As reported in the AARO reports, most UAPs are probably balloons, drones or atmospheric phenomena, but the lack of full transparency gives rise to speculation.
In the future, with the increasing pressure of Congress and federal agencies, we can expect further disclosures. Declassification not only satisfies public curiosity, but also supports global efforts to understand the unknown sky.
