Offutt AFB, Neb, October 1953October 1953

Insufficient Data

Summary

On October 13, 1953, about 0305Z, military radar operators tracked an unidentified target near Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. The witnesses were two airmen running ground radar at a weather station, both described as competent and reliable.

The object suddenly appeared on the radar scope. It was equal in size and intensity to the radar return from a weather balloon that was being tracked at the same time. It was first seen at an elevation angle of 54 degrees and an azimuth of 250 degrees. It entered the scope from the northeast and held a heading of 250 degrees for about ten minutes, then gradually changed direction and left the scope on a heading of about 70 degrees. Its height varied from about 25,000 to 37,000 feet. It was in sight for about 35 minutes before fading from the scope.

There was no visual sighting, only radar. Weather was clear. The investigating officer noted similar radar sightings had been seen many times in recent years at that site, and radar experts could not find a definite cause. They concluded it was likely a microwave transmission phenomenon, possibly aided by weather and astronomical activity. The Air Force listed the case as radar analysis, a balloon, noting the object moved with the wind at levels where wind was reported.

Reported location

Offutt AFB, Neb, October 1953

Date of incident

October 1953

State / country

? / XX

Page count

5 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unknown

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 19

. he cane ss WS mio wo. es 5 ——— = a ‘ [ . ; \. DATE - TIME GROUP 2. LOCATION E 12 Oct 53 13/0300 Offutt AFB, Neb | 3. SOURCE 10. CONCLUSION RADAR ANALYSIS (BALLOON Military Radar Pers | 4. NUMBER OF OBJECTS | one ; S. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION |11. BRIEF SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS Ten unidentified targets similar in intesnity and size to the 36 min weather balloon which was being tracked appeared on radar scopp. 6. TYPE OF OBSERVATION Obj first observed at elev of 250 deg. Obj disappeared at a slant range of 20,000 yards, az of O70 deg. Obj entered scope fom ground radar NE and continued on course of 250 deg for approx 10 min, grad 7. COURSE ually changed direction and left the scope on a heading of approx TO deg. Alt of obj varied from 225,000 to 37,000 ft. | = -- Obj moving with wind at levels where wind was reported. 8. PHOTOS Ei ; O Yes 0 Ne g BKK 9. PHYSICAL EVIDENCE : O Yes O Ne FORM day FTD sep 63 0329 (TDE) previews editions of this form may be weed. | 8 : - Tt De SRR a Bt HRS a ie EL ssi a Be he il sl