DOW-UAP-D094, Analysis of Flying Object Incidents in the United States, 1949

Study No. 203 said the frequency, recurring characteristics, and observer quality supported the contention that some type of flying object had been observed, while stopping short of identifying its origin.

support the contention that some type of flying object has been observed

The study presented two broad origin possibilities—domestic devices or foreign developments—and noted that flying-wing aircraft could account for some disk or cigar descriptions.

There are two reasonable possibilities: (1) The objects are domestic devices

The report named the Chance Vought XF5U-1, Northrop B-35, and Northrop YB-49 as domestic aircraft whose appearance could contribute to reports.

Among those which have been operational in recent years are the XF5U-1

The analysis found concentrations of reports along the Eastern Seaboard and Western Coast and treated similar configuration distributions as possible evidence that one object type was being viewed from different aspects.

There is a large concentration of sightings along the Eastern Seaboard

The study discussed the 1946 Scandinavian ghost-rocket reports and considered whether later U.S. sightings might involve foreign developments or psychological effects.

strange objects first appeared over the Scandinavian countries in 1946

Its conclusion stated that the available material could not reliably explain the sightings or infer tactics if foreign aeronautical developments were among the reported objects.

impossible to make any reliable explanation for their appearance over the U.S.

A selected case described Pan American Airways mechanic Woodruff reporting a circular object near Harmon Field, Newfoundland, with a trail that appeared to burn through cloud.

a Pan-American Airways mechanic reported a circular object flying at high velocity

A July 1948 Kirtland report described seven objects near San Acacia, New Mexico, changing formation from a J to an L and then a circle; the figures are historical witness estimates.

The formation varied from "J" to "L" to circle after passing the zenith

The report reproduced radar cases from Hokkaido and Fukuoka, including estimated speeds above 500 mph and 840–900 mph; the document does not independently validate those estimates.

a GCA radar at Hokkaido, Japan picked up an unidentified target at 16 miles

A case attributed to pilot Combs described a lighted, wingless object near Andrews Field that reportedly made a tight turn toward the East Coast at an estimated 500–600 mph.

an oblong ball with one light, no wings and no exhaust flame