UAP Study Terms of Reference and Reporting Procedures

This document serves as a comprehensive overview of the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence procedures for the collection, analysis, and database management of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) sighting reports. The document is structured into several annexes. Annex A establishes the 'Study Terms of Reference,' which aims to determine the potential value of UAP reports to defence intelligence. It mandates the creation of an electronic relational database to record specific event details, including location, witness information, physical characteristics of the object, and categorization (e.g., probable military/civilian aircraft, space-associated events, or hoaxes). Annex B provides standardized reporting forms for UAP sightings, including examples of completed reports from 1993, 1996, and 1997. These reports detail observations ranging from light formations to objects described as 'kite shaped' or 'cigar-shaped.' Annex C presents a historical compilation of UAP-related reports from Czechoslovakia spanning from 1607 to 1985, intended to demonstrate the consistency of descriptions over time. Annex D details the 'UAP Access Database' architecture, explaining that the system uses 13 input tables to categorize data. The methodology emphasizes manual data entry from paper reports, the use of unique event numbers, and the importance of cross-referencing sightings with known military or economic targets to eliminate spurious reports. The document highlights that the database is designed to facilitate future analysis and that the classification of the task is 'RESTRICTED UK EYES ONLY.' It notes that while statistical analysis is performed, the lack of 'computer-friendly' formats in original reports remains a limitation. The document concludes by outlining the specific tables used for data entry, such as physical description, object motion, technical effects, and meteorological conditions, to ensure a rigorous approach to UAP investigation.