{"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","description":"Secret Pentagon initiative led by the Defense Intelligence Agency to study military UFO encounters","date":"2007-09-01T00:00:00.000Z","tags":["UAP Task Force"],"updated":"2025-06-13T13:26:43.000Z","connectionCount":12,"content":{"markdown":"## Origins and Funding\n\nSenator [Harry Reid](/people/harry-reid) secured funding in 2007 for this classified program, managed by the DIA.[^3] It contracted Bigelow Aerospace to analyze sightings by military personnel and collect related materials.[^5]\n\n## Public Exposure\n\nThe New York Times revealed AATIP in 2017, citing videos of Navy encounters.[^1][^2] Officials said the program ended in 2012, but its work influenced later Pentagon efforts.[^3][^4]\n\n[^1]: [New York Times: Glowing Auras and Black Money](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/16/us/politics/pentagon-program-ufo-harry-reid.html)\n\n[^2]: [Politico: The Pentagon's Secret UFO Program](https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/16/pentagon-program-ufos-299952)\n\n[^3]: [AARO Historical Record Report Volume 1: AAWSAP/AATIP Background and Termination](https://media.defense.gov/2024/Mar/08/2003409233/-1/-1/0/DOPSR-CLEARED-508-COMPLIANT-HRRV1-08-MAR-2024-FINAL.PDF)\n\n[^4]: [DoD Release: Establishment of the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force](https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/2314065/establishment-of-unidentified-aerial-phenomena-task-force/)\n\n[^5]: [DHS KONA BLUE Memo: DIA Contract Awarded to Bigelow Aerospace](https://www.aaro.mil/Portals/136/PDFs/UAP_RECORDS_RESEARCH/AARO_DHS_Kona_Blue.pdf)","readingTime":"1 min read"},"relatedRecords":[{"ref":{"type":"links","slug":"nyt-2017-pentagon-ufo-program","title":"NYT – Secret Pentagon UFO Program Revealed","url":"https://disclosdex.com/links/nyt-2017-pentagon-ufo-program"},"direction":"inbound","weight":2},{"ref":{"type":"people","slug":"harry-reid","title":"Harry Reid","url":"https://disclosdex.com/people/harry-reid"},"direction":"mutual","weight":2},{"ref":{"type":"documents","slug":"2022-congressional-hearings-documentation","title":"2022 Congressional Hearings Documentation","url":"https://disclosdex.com/documents/2022-congressional-hearings-documentation"},"direction":"inbound","weight":1},{"ref":{"type":"events","slug":"2017-nyt-aatip-article","title":"NYT AATIP Article","url":"https://disclosdex.com/events/2017-nyt-aatip-article"},"direction":"inbound","weight":1},{"ref":{"type":"people","slug":"ralph-blumenthal","title":"Ralph Blumenthal","url":"https://disclosdex.com/people/ralph-blumenthal"},"direction":"inbound","weight":1},{"ref":{"type":"people","slug":"james-lacatski","title":"James T. Lacatski","url":"https://disclosdex.com/people/james-lacatski"},"direction":"inbound","weight":1},{"ref":{"type":"people","slug":"john-greenewald-jr","title":"John Greenewald Jr.","url":"https://disclosdex.com/people/john-greenewald-jr"},"direction":"inbound","weight":1},{"ref":{"type":"people","slug":"matthew-brown","title":"Matthew Brown","url":"https://disclosdex.com/people/matthew-brown"},"direction":"inbound","weight":1},{"ref":{"type":"people","slug":"colm-kelleher","title":"Colm A. Kelleher","url":"https://disclosdex.com/people/colm-kelleher"},"direction":"inbound","weight":1},{"ref":{"type":"people","slug":"daniel-inouye","title":"Daniel Inouye","url":"https://disclosdex.com/people/daniel-inouye"},"direction":"inbound","weight":1},{"ref":{"type":"people","slug":"ted-stevens","title":"Ted Stevens","url":"https://disclosdex.com/people/ted-stevens"},"direction":"inbound","weight":1}],"citation":{"canonicalUrl":"https://disclosdex.com/programs/advanced-aerospace-threat-identification-program","title":"Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP)","publisher":"Disclosdex","retrievedFrom":"https://disclosdex.com/api/v1/programs/advanced-aerospace-threat-identification-program","license":"CC-BY-4.0"}}