FLIR1 UFO Video 2004

Date of sighting: 2004
Location of sighting: Taken aboard a US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet from the nuclear aircraft carrier (supercarrier) USS Nimitz, off the coast of San Diego
Source: U.S. Navy
Details: It is the only official footage captured by a US navy F/A-18 Super Hornet present at the 2004 Nimitz incident off the coast of San Diego.
FLIR1 is the second of three US military videos of unidentified aerial phenomenon (UAP) that has been through the official declassification review process of the United States government and approved for public release. It is the only official footage captured by a US navy F/A-18 Super Hornet present at the 2004 Nimitz incident off the coast of San Diego. Like Gimbal, this footage comes with crucial chain-of-custody (CoC) documentation because it is a product of US military sensors, which confirms it is original, unaltered, and not computer generated or artificially fabricated.

The sensor, a Raytheon AN/ASQ-228 Advanced Targeting Forward-Looking Infrared (ATFLIR) pod, has two imaging modes: mid-wave infrared and visual. It has high resolution and can locate and designate targets at distances exceeding 40 nautical miles. The FLIR1 footage shows what was on display to the fighter pilots in the cockpit of their Super Hornet.
From : US Navy FOIA Documents
Source Post: Source Post
History Channel link : here and here
NY Times link : here

FLIR1: The Second Official UAP Footage from the USG for Public Release

From : To The Stars Academy
Source Post: Source Post

Overview

On November 14, 2004, while the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group conducted training exercises off the coast of Southern California, radar operators and fighter pilots encountered an object displaying performance characteristics far beyond known aircraft technology. The incident, often called the "Tic Tac" due to its shape, is one of the best-documented UAP cases in modern history. Multiple sensors, eyewitnesses from the Navy, and declassified video support the reports. The U.S. Navy has officially confirmed the videos depict "unidentified aerial phenomena."

Timeline of Events

• November 10–13, 2004: Radar operators aboard the USS Princeton (part of the Nimitz group) detect anomalous objects dropping from high altitude (around 80,000 feet) to sea level in seconds. The objects show no visible propulsion and exhibit speeds and maneuvers inconsistent with conventional aircraft or missiles.

• November 14, 2004 (Morning): Commander David Fravor and Lieutenant Commander Alex Dietrich, flying F/A-18F Super Hornets, are vectored to investigate a radar contact. Fravor visually acquires a white, oblong object approximately 40 feet long with no wings, rotors, or exhaust—resembling a giant Tic Tac. The object hovers above a disturbance in the ocean, then mirrors the pilots' movements before accelerating rapidly out of sight.

• Same Day (Follow-up Flight): A second flight led by Lieutenant Chad Underwood captures the object on the aircraft's Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) targeting pod. The video shows the object moving with unusual agility and no visible propulsion.

• Post-Incident: Radar data and other sensor recordings from the Princeton and other ships reportedly captured the events. Some witnesses later stated that unknown personnel requested or removed certain data recordings shortly afterward.

Key Verified Evidence

• Eyewitness Testimony: Highly trained Navy pilots (including Commander Fravor) and radar operators provided consistent accounts. These are military professionals with decades of experience identifying aircraft.
• Radar Data: The USS Princeton's advanced SPY-1 radar tracked the objects over multiple days.
• FLIR Video: Officially declassified by the Pentagon in 2020. The Navy confirmed the video is authentic and shows UAP. (The "FLIR" or "Tic Tac" video is publicly available via DoD sources.)
• Official Statements: The Department of Defense has acknowledged the videos as genuine Navy footage of unidentified aerial phenomena. No sensitive capabilities were compromised in their release.
• Related Videos: The incident is often discussed alongside the 2015 "Gimbal" and "GoFast" videos (also officially released), though the Tic Tac case has the strongest multi-sensor corroboration.

Analysis and Official Position

The object's reported abilities—rapid altitude changes, instantaneous acceleration, and lack of visible propulsion—remain unexplained by conventional technology at the time (or publicly known today). The Pentagon's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) and prior investigations have not identified the object as a balloon, drone, or known aircraft in this specific case. It continues to be listed as unresolved in official UAP discussions.

This case is notable for its military context, multiple independent observers, and sensor data—qualities that elevate it above anecdotal reports.

Why This Case Matters for UAP Research

Incidents like the Tic Tac highlight potential flight safety and national security concerns in restricted military airspace. They demonstrate why systematic, data-driven investigation (as pursued by AARO) is essential. While no evidence points to extraterrestrial origins, the performance characteristics warrant continued scientific scrutiny.

Sources and Further Reading

• U.S. Department of Defense official video releases: Naval Air Systems Command FOIA documents
• Navy statements confirming the videos as UAP (2019–2020)
• Pilot interviews and detailed reports (e.g., via The War Zone and official briefings)
• AARO public imagery and reporting pages: aaro.mil

At the Internet UFO Database, we focus exclusively on cases with verifiable documentation and official acknowledgment. Speculation is left to others—this is the documented record.

Tags: Verified UAP, Military Encounters, Tic Tac UFO, Navy FLIR Video