HAZARD REPORT OF, Unidentified aircraft operating in W-72 without coordinating with controlling agencies, Class HAZARD FLIGHT, NEAR MID-AIR HAZARD - GENERAL

On December 18, 2013, a pilot from Strike Fighter Squadron 143 (VFA-143) reported a near mid-air hazard while conducting a currency flight in the W-72 1A operating area. During the flight, the pilot was informed by the controlling agency that there was no traffic in the area. However, while maneuvering, the pilot detected a radar track at 12,000 feet traveling at Mach 0.1. The pilot maintained a 10,000-foot altitude for deconfliction and passed within 0.7 nautical miles of the radar return, where he visually identified a small white object. The controlling agency reported no corresponding radar returns or squawks. The unidentified aircraft exhibited visual and flight characteristics similar to a previous incident involving a HUAS (Unidentified Aerial System) reported on November 18, 2013. Post-flight analysis failed to determine the origin of the aircraft. The Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility (FACSFAC) at VACAPES Oceana noted that this was the second such encounter in the W-72 co-use airspace. They emphasized that no UAS operations were scheduled for that day and that Giant Killer (the controlling agency) had no radar awareness of the traffic. The report concludes that the incident was a result of a failure to notify the controlling agency of UAS operations and highlights the critical need for heightened aircrew awareness and strict adherence to published guidance for Special Use Airspace.