DoD IG UAP Evaluation: Third Interim FOIA Release with NRO Records
The Black Vault obtained the third interim release of 94 pages from the DoD Inspector General UAP evaluation through FOIA case DODOIG-2021-000806. A separate NRO release revealed the intelligence agency acknowledged multiple DoD programs related to UAP, raising questions about coordination failures.
Source context
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Background
The Department of Defense Office of Inspector General released a third set of interim records on July 15, 2025, as part of an ongoing FOIA process initiated by The Black Vault in May 2021. This release contains 94 pages of internal communications related to Project D2021-DEV0SN-0116.000, the formal evaluation of how the Pentagon handled unidentified aerial phenomena reports.
Background
The Black Vault filed its original FOIA request on May 4, 2021, just one day after the DoD IG officially announced its UAP evaluation project. The evaluation examined whether the Department of Defense adequately responded to UAP sightings and established proper reporting procedures across military branches. Previous interim releases in February 2025 (86 pages) and October 2024 (via NRO) had already revealed significant internal deliberations.
Key Details
The third interim release adds to a growing body of evidence showing extensive internal coordination around UAP oversight. Earlier releases disclosed that a classified UAP briefing video of approximately 25 minutes was created, and that officials like Matthew C. Cummings, Deputy Director for Technical Collection at OUSD(I&S), were involved in arranging secure briefings at the Pentagon. A separate NRO FOIA release of 104 pages notably referenced awareness of multiple DoD programs connected to UAP, though specifics remain redacted. The evaluation ultimately produced the classified report issued in August 2023 and the unclassified summary published in January 2024.
Significance
This release is significant because the NRO documents acknowledge awareness of multiple DoD UAP programs, supporting claims that various classified efforts existed beyond publicly known initiatives like AATIP and AARO.
Connections
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