Tic Tac UFO
A 2004 U.S. Navy encounter off the coast of San Diego involving multiple military aircraft tracking an unidentified object with impossible flight characteristics.
Documented record
Known Facts
In November 2004, USS Nimitz carrier group encountered unknown objects off Southern California.
F/A-18F fighters from VFA-41 were scrambled to investigate radar contacts.
Cmdr. David Fravor and Lt. Cmdr. Alex Dietrich observed a white, tic-tac-shaped object.
The object demonstrated instantaneous acceleration and hypersonic velocity without visible means of propulsion.
The encounter was captured on FLIR video later released by the Department of Defense.
The incident was part of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP).
Supporting claims & documentation
Evidence For
FLIR Video (GIMBAL and FLIR1)
MEDIAOfficial Navy FLIR videos showing the object's movements and characteristics.
SOURCE:U.S. Navy / Department of Defense
Radar Data
PRIMARY SOURCEMultiple radar systems tracked the object's impossible maneuvers.
SOURCE:USS Princeton / USS Nimitz
Pilot Testimony
TESTIMONYMultiple Navy pilots provided consistent accounts of the encounter.
SOURCE:U.S. Navy / New York Times
Counterpoints & criticisms
Evidence Against
Sensor Artifacts
ANALYSISSome experts suggest the videos could show sensor artifacts or known objects.
SOURCE:Aviation analysis
Classified Technology Explanation
ANALYSISThe object could be classified U.S. technology being tested against Navy forces.
SOURCE:Defense analysis
Unresolved inquiries
Open Questions
What was the nature and origin of the object?
Why did it demonstrate impossible flight characteristics?
Was this part of a classified U.S. program or something else?
What other similar encounters have occurred?
Chronological record
Timeline
USS Nimitz encounters unknown objects off San Diego.
F/A-18F fighters investigate; FLIR videos recorded.
New York Times reveals AATIP and releases videos.
Department of Defense officially releases FLIR videos.
Connected dossiers
Related Investigations
References & further reading
Sources
Automatically discovered links
Related Connections
Both involve activities during the 2000s through 2020s periods.
Both reference California.
Both involve activities during the 2010s period.