Memorandum for the Director of Central Intelligence: Flying Saucers

This memorandum, dated September 11, 1952, from the Assistant Director of Scientific Intelligence to the Director of Central Intelligence, addresses the national security implications of 'flying saucers.' The author notes that the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) has been the primary body investigating these sightings, having collected approximately 1,500 reports since 1947. The document highlights that the current research is conducted on a case-by-case basis, which is deemed insufficient for addressing the broader implications of the phenomenon. The assessment identifies two primary dangers: the potential for psychological warfare, where the public's susceptibility to mass hysteria could be exploited, and the risk to air defense, where unidentified sightings could lead to false alerts or the failure to identify actual enemy attacks. The author expresses concern that the current situation could be used by the Soviet Union to the detriment of U.S. interests. Consequently, the memorandum recommends that the Director of Central Intelligence seek National Security Council support to initiate a more comprehensive research program, improve identification procedures for visual and electronic phenomena, and establish a public information policy to minimize the risk of panic.