COMETA

Background

COMETA (Comité d'Études Approfondies - Committee for In-Depth Studies) was a twelve-member French civilian association formed in 1996 within the IHEDN (French Institute of Higher National Defence Studies). The committee was chaired by retired Air Force General Denis Letty, with founding members including General Bernard Norlain (former FATAC commander) and André Lebeau (former head of CNES).

• Conducted a three-year investigation from 1996 to 1999
• Examined well-documented UFO/UAP sightings spanning approximately 60 years
• Focused on implications for French national security and defense

Key Findings

The committee's analysis of documented cases revealed significant anomalies that could not be easily explained.

• Found that at least 5 percent of well-documented sightings cannot be attributed to man-made or natural sources
• Analyzed incidents using radar data and performance characteristics
• Concluded the extraterrestrial hypothesis is the most rational explanation for unexplained cases

Major Contributions

In July 1999, COMETA submitted a comprehensive 90-page report titled "UFOs and Defense: What Should We Prepare For?" to the French Prime Minister and President's military cabinet.

• Recommended establishment of formal UAP investigation protocols
• Advocated for international cooperation, particularly with the United States
• Proposed public communication strategies regarding UAP phenomena

Legacy

The COMETA report had lasting impact on French UFO research infrastructure and policy.

• France's UFO agency was resurrected and renamed GEIPAN following the report
• An archive of the report was published by GEIPAN in 2007
• The report remains a significant reference document in international UAP research