The U.S. Department of Defense released 162 declassified files regarding unidentified aerial phenomena on Friday, May 8, 2026 [1].
This release represents a shift toward transparency regarding government knowledge of unidentified anomalous phenomena. By providing public access to internal reports, the Pentagon aims to allow citizens to scrutinize evidence that has previously been shielded by national security classifications.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the documents are available through a new government website, www.war.gov/ufo [2]. The release includes a collection of photos, videos, and written reports [3]. Hegseth said the documents have long fueled justified speculation, and it's time the American people see them [4].
The move follows a commitment by President Donald Trump to release hundreds of additional files linked to these phenomena [5]. The Department of Defense said the goal is to increase transparency and fulfill promises of releasing more UAP information for public scrutiny [6].
While some reports suggest the release is part of a broader effort to demystify government sightings, the specific nature of the 162 files remains under review by independent analysts [1]. The Pentagon has not yet provided a timeline for when the remaining promised documents will be uploaded to the portal [5].
Officials said the portal is intended to serve as a permanent archive for declassified UAP data [2]. This initiative marks one of the most significant disclosures of military sightings data in recent years, a move intended to let the public decide what is real [7].
“it's time the American people see them”
The establishment of a dedicated government domain for UAP files signals a transition from sporadic disclosures to a systematized transparency effort. By moving these records into the public domain, the U.S. government is shifting the burden of analysis from intelligence agencies to the public and scientific community, potentially reducing the influence of conspiracy theories through direct evidence.
