Reports from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have highlighted a series of intriguing incidents that have occurred in and around various military air combat training ranges in Arizona since January 2020.

These encounters involve small, unidentified “objects” seen in swarms of up to eight, as well as other objects, some resembling drones, flying at altitudes as high as 36,000 feet and speeds reaching Mach 0.75.

Among the recorded incidents is one where an apparent small drone collided with the canopy of an F-16 Viper, causing damage, the Drive reported.

These reports span over a three-year period and indicate a recurring pattern of both genuinely unidentified objects and drones, or uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), intruding into restricted warning areas.

Though often categorized as drones, many of these objects remain unidentified, adding to the mystery surrounding these airborne encounters.

The FAA data highlights the persistence of these occurrences, raising questions and concerns within the military and aviation communities about the origin and intentions of these aerial phenomena.

Written by staff