AARO UAP Reporting Trends Dashboard (1996–2026)
Dr. Voss's Analysis
AARO publishes aggregate statistics on UAP cases on its official website. As of January 2026, closed case resolution outcomes show that balloons account for 52.1% (510 cases), satellites for 32.1% (314 cases), and UAS (drones) for 7.8% (76 cases) of resolved reports. Reported morphology data shows orb/round/sphere shapes at 39.7% and lights at 32.3% of reports that include morphology data. The most commonly reported altitudes are in the 20,000–25,000 foot range, consistent with military aviation operations.
Overview
AARO's publicly available UAP reporting trends dashboard, covering cases from January 1, 1996 through January 15, 2026. Provides breakdowns of closed case resolution outcomes, reported object morphology, and reported altitudes.
Key Facts
- ◆Data covers January 1, 1996 through January 15, 2026
- ◆Balloons: 52.1% of closed cases; Satellites: 32.1%; UAS: 7.8%
- ◆Most reported morphology: Orb/Sphere 39.7%, Lights 32.3%
- ◆Most reported altitudes cluster between 15,000 and 25,000 feet
What Remains Unresolved
- ?What proportion of submitted reports remain unresolved as of January 2026?
- ?How are reports from the 1996–2006 period being retroactively reviewed with modern methods?
- ?Does the morphology data reflect observer perception or sensor-confirmed shape?
