On September 1, 2015, the Pantex Plant's Ground Surveillance Radar detected an unknown object flying west of the facility in a northerly direction at 10-15 mph. Protective Force personnel responded, observed the object directly, and followed it for several miles before losing sight of it. The object was described as diamond-shaped, approximately 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide, silent, and with no visible propulsion system. Video footage was sent to Sandia National Labs for analysis, and all evidence was turned over to the FBI.
What was the object?
Personnel who observed the object directly described it as diamond-shaped, roughly 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide at the bottom, and thinner at the top. Descriptions of its color varied: some said it was black, while others reported it appeared silver, red, and blue. Security Police Officers tracking it via camera estimated it was 100-200 feet above the ground.
How did Pantex respond?
When the Ground Surveillance Radar detected the object at approximately 0708 hours on September 1, 2015, all plant gates leading into and out of security areas were immediately secured. Protective Force personnel were dispatched to follow the object and obtain information about it. A lieutenant and Security Police Officer attempted to intercept the object and observed it for 1-2 minutes, noting it made no sound and had no visible propulsion system. The Carson County Sheriff's office was notified and assisted in the search.
What did observers say about the object's behavior?
The object traveled in a non-threatening manner and remained over open, unpopulated areas of the plant. It did not come close to any sensitive assets. As personnel followed it, the object appeared to increase in speed and change direction. It was last seen heading in an east-northeast direction near County Road G and F.M. 1342, where it proceeded offsite and was lost from view due to lack of roadway access.
What happened to the evidence?
Video footage was obtained from the Ground Surveillance Radar tower closest to the object and sent to Sandia National Labs for further study. The video provided limited detail due to the distance between the object and the tower. All evidence from the incident, including statements and video, was turned over to an FBI agent.
Full Document Text
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Office 806.477.3918
Fax 806.477.5690
~SEP ,0 92015
·-
Deputy Assistant Manager
for Safeguards & Security
NNSA Production Office
Post Office Box 2050
Oak Ridge . Tennessee 37831-8009
Dear- :
Pantex Unidentified Object Report
Enclosed for your review is the complete report for the Pantex Unidentified Object that occurred on
September 2, 2015. If you have any questions a concerns, please contact me at or
at - .
Sincerely yours,
. , tex
Pantex SS&ES Operations
GDW:~v
Endosure: As stated
c/enc:
Document transmitted herewith lNCI.ASSUU:I) (:O!\'TROI .U:ll ~l CLF.AR
contains UCNI. INFOR~l\TIO~ SOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Unaithonad disscmu,a1KIi subj«t to civil and cnm■ tal sancuons
When separated from under :.a:li11n 148 of the: A10m1c Energy Act of 19S4. a.s amended
attachments. handle this (42 USC 2163)
doct.ment as Unclassified. Hev1ewiniOfficiat -
oatc: September 8, 201 s
liuidancc Used· Cu-SS-4, Sept 2000. Chg, 7 HO 0C
SS&ES-1 5-15095144230-SS&ES
Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information
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ParrrEX/ UCNI
Pantex Unidentified Object
Incident Report
Septembe.- 2, 2015
Pantex Plant
Amarillo, TX 79120-0020
UNCLASSIFIED CONTROLLED NUCLEAR INFORNMATION
NOT FO'R PUSLIC RELEASE
Unauthorized dlssemlncttlon subject t<> clvll and criminal ~nctions under
Section 148 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (42 US.C 2168}
Reviewing Official: PT>! VA
oate: 9.L212Q1s
Guidance Used: CG-SS-4. 9/2000 Chg. 7. 0OE OC
UCNI
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UCNT
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Pantex Unidentified Object Incident Report
On September 1, 2015 at approximately 0710 hours, the Pantex Ground Surveillance Radar
(GSR) detection system identified an unknown object flying in a non-threatening manner west
of Pantex facilities in a northerly trajectory. The Protective Force (PF) responded in accordance
with the NPO approved ~curity Incident Response to Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS} plan. The
object was initially identified just north of Highway 60 and was traveling in a northerly
trajectory approximately 10-lSmph. PF personnel were alerted to the object and subsequently
dispatched t o follow it in an effort to obtain as much information about the object as possible.
PF personnel on the ground confirmed the presence of the object and maintained observation
via PF vehicle. PF personnel followed the object for several miles north of the plant until it was
no longer visible. All plant pedestrian and vehicle gates leading into and out of security areas
were immediately secured upon identification of an unknown object by the GSR. Furthermore,
PF patrols moved to a position to ensure the protection of assets.
A subsequent comprehensive review of the incident was immediately initiated. The following
text describes actlons taken by Central Alarm Station (CAS) and Secondary Alarm Station (SAS)
GSR operators, PF officers and Security Police Officers (SPOs) during the event.
At approximately 0708 hours, the an object
approximately 1.75 miles SW of Z-12 South traveling at 10-15 mph (see map below titled,
Ground Surveillance Radar Tracks). Several other radar hits were received as the object
traversed to the NNW. to attempt to locate the object and
report its position and direction of travel. A PF lieutenant (Lt.) and SPO in the area spotted the
object and followed it as it traveled north. The Lt. and SPO attempted to intercept the object as
it traveled over Pantex Drive in an attempt to view the object directly from below. Although
they were unable to catch up to the object, they stopped their vehicle and got out. Once
outside, they noted that the object did not make any sound. Furthermore, the Lt. and SPO
stated that they were unable to identify any type of propulsion system on the object while
using binocuJars to assess the object. After viewing it for 1-2 minutes, the object then
continued north offsite. The Lt. and SPO then followed the object for several miles north of
Pantex before they lost the object due to lack of roadway access. The location where the object
was last seen was near County Road G and F.M. 1342. The Carson County Sherriff's office was
notified when the object began to tr.averse off-site and requested to respond to the area and
assist in locating the object. A Sherriff's Deputy met the Lt. and SPO at the point where the
object was last 'Seen. The Deputy stated that he did not see the object but would perform a
search in the area for anything unusual. It was noted that the object seemed to increase in
speed and changed direction as it was being followed. The last known direct of the object was
that it was heading in an ENE direction. The Lt. and SPO were debriefed upon their return to the
UCNI Page 2 of 6
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UCNI
Pantex Unidentified Object Incident Report
plant. Their perspective of the object was that it was a "diamond" type shape with it being
more round at the top.
Security Police Officers in a Bearcat with a Common Remotely Operated Weapon System
(CROWS) unit were also able to locate and track the object via CROWS camera as it traversed
the plant. The SPOs stated that it was 100-200 ft. above the ground and they were able to track
the object for 3-5 minutes. The SPOs location was approximately 75-100 meters from the
object.
Other PF personnel that observed the object, including a SPO that was viewing the object
through binoculars described it as being approximately 4 ft. tall and 2 ft. wide at the bottom.
The object was also described as being thinner at the top. However, there were some
discrepancies in the color of the object. Some personnel stated that it was black in color while
others noted that it appeared to be silver, red and blue.
Video was obtained from the GSR tower that was closest to the object and subsequently sent to
Sandia National labs for further study (see image below titled, Image from Ground Surveillance
Radar Tower). The video does not provide much detail of the object due to the distance of the
object to the GSR tower. It should be noted that at no time did the object appear to be
threatening in nature nor did it come to close proximity to any sensitive assets. The object
remained over open unpopulated areas ofthe plant prior to it proceeding offsite. All evidence
of the incident {i.e. statements, video, etc.) were turned over to FBI agent
UCNl Page 3 of6
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Ground Surveillance Radar Tracks
UCNI Page 4 of 6
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Image from Ground Surveillance Radar Tower
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Pantex Unidentified Object Incident Report
Sandia National Labs Enhanced Images of the Object
UCNI Page6 of 6 View the official fileFrequently Asked Questions
When and where was the object detected?
The object was detected on September 1, 2015, at approximately 0708 hours by the Pantex Ground Surveillance Radar system. It was initially identified just north of Highway 60, approximately 1.75 miles southwest of Z-12 South, flying in a northerly trajectory.
On September 1, 2015 at approximately 0710 hours, the Pantex Ground Surveillance Radar (GSR) detection system identified an unknown object flying in a non-threatening manner west of Pantex facilities in a northerly trajectory.
What did the object look like according to witnesses?
Witnesses described the object as diamond-shaped, approximately 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide at the bottom, and thinner at the top. Descriptions of its color varied: some personnel stated it was black, while others noted it appeared to be silver, red, and blue. Security Police Officers tracking it via camera estimated it was 100-200 feet above the ground.
Other PF personnel that observed the object, including a SPO that was viewing the object through binoculars described it as being approximately 4 ft. tall and 2 ft. wide at the bottom. The object was also described as being thinner at the top. However, there were some discrepancies in the color of the object. Some personnel stated that it was black in color while others noted that it appeared to be silver, red and blue.
Did the object make any sound or show signs of propulsion?
No. The lieutenant and Security Police Officer who observed the object directly stated that it did not make any sound. Furthermore, they were unable to identify any type of propulsion system on the object while using binoculars to assess it.
How fast was the object traveling?
The object was initially traveling at approximately 10-15 mph. However, it was noted that the object seemed to increase in speed and changed direction as it was being followed.
Congressional Context
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