{"type":"events","slug":"2017-nyt-aatip-article","title":"NYT AATIP Article","url":"https://disclosdex.com/events/2017-nyt-aatip-article","description":"The New York Times revealed a secret Pentagon UFO program and released videos of Navy encounters","date":"2017-12-16T00:00:00.000Z","tags":["Article"],"updated":"2025-06-13T13:26:43.000Z","disclosureRating":5,"lat":40.7128,"lng":-74.006,"connectionCount":8,"content":{"markdown":"## Breaking news\n\nJournalists Helene Cooper, [Ralph Blumenthal](/people/ralph-blumenthal), and [Leslie Kean](/people/leslie-kean) reported on the [Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program](/programs/advanced-aerospace-threat-identification-program). The story unveiled funding details and included videos from Navy jets chasing unknown craft. [^1][^2]\n\n## Aftermath\n\nThe article sparked global headlines and prompted official confirmations that the footage was genuine. It renewed congressional interest in government UFO research. [^3][^4][^5]\n\nFor many, this is the demarkation line for modern programs, with everything prior labeled as legacy programs.\n\n[^1]: [New York Times original article](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/16/us/politics/pentagon-program-ufo-harry-reid.html)\n\n[^2]: [NYT follow-up](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/18/us/politics/pentagon-ufo.html)\n\n[^3]: Politico – [The Pentagon's Secret Search for UFOs](https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/12/16/pentagon-ufo-search-harry-reid-216111/)\n\n[^4]: CNN – [The Pentagon's secret UFO program](https://www.cnn.com/2017/12/16/politics/pentagon-ufo-project/index.html)\n\n[^5]: Department of Defense – [Statement on the release of historical Navy videos](https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/2165713/statement-by-the-department-of-defense-on-the-r/statement-by-the-department-of-defense-on-the-release-of-historical-navy-videos/); Senate Select Committee on Intelligence – [S. Rept. 116-233](https://www.congress.gov/congressional-report/116th-congress/senate-report/233/1)","readingTime":"1 min read"},"relatedRecords":[{"ref":{"type":"people","slug":"ralph-blumenthal","title":"Ralph Blumenthal","url":"https://disclosdex.com/people/ralph-blumenthal"},"direction":"mutual","weight":2},{"ref":{"type":"people","slug":"jay-stratton","title":"Jay Stratton","url":"https://disclosdex.com/people/jay-stratton"},"direction":"inbound","weight":1},{"ref":{"type":"people","slug":"kirk-mcconnell","title":"Kirk McConnell","url":"https://disclosdex.com/people/kirk-mcconnell"},"direction":"inbound","weight":1},{"ref":{"type":"programs","slug":"advanced-aerospace-threat-identification-program","title":"Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP)","url":"https://disclosdex.com/programs/advanced-aerospace-threat-identification-program"},"direction":"outbound","weight":1},{"ref":{"type":"people","slug":"mick-west","title":"Mick West","url":"https://disclosdex.com/people/mick-west"},"direction":"inbound","weight":1},{"ref":{"type":"people","slug":"leslie-kean","title":"Leslie Kean","url":"https://disclosdex.com/people/leslie-kean"},"direction":"outbound","weight":1},{"ref":{"type":"people","slug":"harry-reid","title":"Harry Reid","url":"https://disclosdex.com/people/harry-reid"},"direction":"inbound","weight":1}],"citation":{"canonicalUrl":"https://disclosdex.com/events/2017-nyt-aatip-article","title":"NYT AATIP Article","publisher":"Disclosdex","retrievedFrom":"https://disclosdex.com/api/v1/events/2017-nyt-aatip-article","license":"CC-BY-4.0"},"witnesses":["The New York Times revealed a secret Pentagon UFO program and released videos of Navy encounters"],"evidence":["video"]}