HAZARD REPORT OF, UNIDENTIFIED AIRCRAFT OPERATING IN W-72 WITHOUT COORDINATING WITH CONTROLLING AGENCIES

This hazard report, dated May 29, 2019, details an incident that occurred on March 26, 2014, involving a near mid-air encounter between a U.S. Navy F/A-18E aircraft and an unidentified aerial object. During a scheduled air-to-air training exercise in the W-72 warning area, which was under 'exclusive use' for the Navy, a pilot detected a radar track at 19,000 feet traveling at Mach 0.1. The pilot initially suspected a false track due to high winds, but upon closing in, observed a small, silver, metallic object approximately the size of a suitcase. The aircraft passed within 1,000 feet of the object. The pilot's wingman did not detect the object on his radar, and the controlling agency, FACSFAC, reported no radar returns or squawks corresponding to the object. The investigation concluded that the object was an unauthorized Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) operating without coordination. The report highlights the significant safety concern posed by such small, non-cooperative targets in restricted airspace, noting that FACSFAC had received multiple similar reports in the preceding months. Recommendations included briefing aircrews on the hazard and continuing investigations into UAS operations in warning areas.