Report of the Scientific Panel on Unidentified Flying Objects

This document consists of a memorandum dated March 12, 1953, from the Secretary of the Intelligence Advisory Committee to an unnamed recipient, transmitting the 'Report of the Scientific Panel on Unidentified Flying Objects' dated January 17, 1953. The report was the result of a panel convened in January 1953 at the direction of the former Director of Central Intelligence, General Walter B. Smith. The panel, chaired by Dr. H. P. Robertson, included experts in physics, geophysics, and astronomy. The panel evaluated evidence provided by the Air Technical Intelligence Center, including 75 case histories from 1951-1952, status reports on Projects GRUDGE and BLUE BOOK, and various charts and films. The panel concluded that the phenomena reported as Unidentified Flying Objects did not constitute a direct physical threat to national security. However, they expressed concern that the continued public and military focus on these reports could lead to the 'clogging of channels of communication' and create a 'national psychology' that could be exploited by hostile propaganda. To mitigate these risks, the panel recommended that national security agencies take immediate steps to strip UFOs of their 'special status' and the 'aura of mystery' surrounding them. They further advised the implementation of intelligence, training, and public education policies designed to help the country recognize and react to true indications of hostile intent, rather than being distracted by false alarms. The document includes detailed lists of the evidence reviewed, ranging from motion picture films of sightings in Tremonton, Utah, and Great Falls, Montana, to charts showing balloon flight paths and radar coverage variations.