concept

Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program

Also known as: AATIP, Advanced Aviation Threat Identification Program

Entities (4)

Luis Elizondo

Luis Elizondo

Luis Elizondo is directly linked to the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) as its former director and head, as established in [1], [2], and [3]. He is widely recognized for his leadership role in the program, his efforts to brief officials on its research findings, and his subsequent public advocacy regarding the UAP data studied during his tenure, as detailed in [4], [5], and [6]. — 23 supporting facts

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Pentagon

Pentagon

The Pentagon is the government entity that managed and confirmed the existence of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), as evidenced by official statements and reports [1], [2], and [3]. — 11 supporting facts

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DoD

DoD

The Department of Defense (DoD) is directly linked to the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) as the entity that funded the program between 2007 and 2012 [1] and managed its research efforts [2]. Furthermore, the DoD has been the central authority responsible for handling, denying, or acknowledging records related to the program [3] and was the target of briefing attempts by program members like Luis Elizondo {fact:1, fact:4}. — 5 supporting facts

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The New York Times

The New York Times

The New York Times is directly linked to the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program because it published investigative reports in December 2017 that publicly exposed the program's existence and funding history, as detailed in [1], [2], and [3]. — 3 supporting facts

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Facts (43)

Sources

How the Pentagon Started Taking U.F.O.s Seriously | The New Yorker newyorker.com The New Yorker Apr 30, 2021 25 facts

perspectiveA former Pentagon official suggested that the story of the AATIP program was complicated because the program Leslie Kean disclosed was of less consequence than the government interest she set in motion by publicizing the topic.

claimThe Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) originated as a contractor's investigation into paranormal phenomena like goblins and werewolves and was later associated with Tom DeLonge, a musician known for the album 'Enema of the State.'

claimThe Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) began as a contractor’s investigation into paranormal phenomena such as goblins and werewolves.

claimLuis Elizondo stated that the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) conducted in-depth studies of several incidents, including the 'Nimitz encounter.'

claimThe successor to the AATIP program argued that the government needed a process similar to post-9/11 fusion centers to handle uncategorizable observations, allowing different agencies like the D.O.D., F.B.I., and N.R.O. to share information.

accountThe United States government conducted an inquiry into U.F.O.s known as the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), which was the first such government inquiry since the conclusion of Project Blue Book in 1970.

claimLuis Elizondo asserts that the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) made progress in understanding the “five observables” of UAP behavior, which include gravity-defying capabilities, low observability, and transmedium travel.

claimThe Pentagon confirmed that the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) had existed but stated it was closed in 2012 due to other funding priorities.

claimHarry Reid requested Special Access Program (SAP) status for the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) because he wanted the program to investigate potential retrieved UFO materials, but the Pentagon denied him the necessary clearance.

claimLuis Elizondo attempted to brief Secretary of Defense James Mattis on the research findings of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), but was blocked by subordinates, though Mattis's personal assistant at the time does not recall being approached by Elizondo.

accountLuis Elizondo, Christopher Mellon, Hal Puthoff, and Steve Semivan joined To the Stars Academy of Arts & Science after Elizondo resigned from the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP).

claimThe Pentagon confirmed that the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) had existed, but stated that it was closed in 2012 due to other funding priorities.

claimLuis Elizondo attempted to brief Secretary of Defense General James Mattis regarding AATIP's research but was blocked by subordinates.

claimLuis Elizondo claims the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) made progress in understanding the 'five observables' of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) behavior.

accountIn 2010, Luis Elizondo transformed an outsourced study of Utah cryptids into the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), an in-house Pentagon initiative focused on the national-security implications of military U.A.P. encounters.

accountLuis Elizondo attempted to brief Secretary of Defense James Mattis regarding AATIP's research but was blocked by underlings.

claimThe personal assistant to Secretary of Defense James Mattis at the time of Luis Elizondo's tenure does not recall being approached by Elizondo regarding AATIP research.

claimSenator Harry Reid requested Special Access Program (SAP) status for the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) in an attempt to gain clearance to investigate UAP/UFO materials, but the Pentagon denied the request.

claimLuis Elizondo established the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) in 2010, transforming an outsourced study of Utah cryptids into an in-house effort focused on the national-security implications of military U.A.P. encounters.

claimLuis Elizondo claimed that the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) continued to operate after 2012 despite the lack of dedicated funding.

accountAATIP began as a contractor's investigation into 'goblins and werewolves' before being reassigned.

claimGeneral James Mattis's personal assistant at the time does not recall being approached by Luis Elizondo for a briefing on AATIP.

accountLuis Elizondo, Christopher Mellon, Hal Puthoff, and Steve Semivan joined To the Stars Academy of Arts & Science, an organization dedicated to U.F.O.-related education, entertainment, and research, following Luis Elizondo's resignation from the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP).

claimThe Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) was associated with Tom DeLonge, a musician known for the album “Enema of the State.”

claimLuis Elizondo asserted that the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) made significant progress in understanding the 'five observables' of UAP behavior, which include 'gravity-defying capabilities,' 'low observability,' and 'transmedium travel.'

Ufology: From Fringe to Mainstream to Fringe? - Skeptic Magazine skeptic.com Skeptic Feb 20, 2026 8 facts

perspectiveSome skeptics characterize the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) as an unofficial effort undertaken by a group of believers within the Intelligence Community rather than an official government program.

claimHarperCollins is scheduled to publish a memoir by Jay Stratton in 2026, which is expected to address the history of UAP-related programs including NIDS, BAASS, AAWSAP, and AATIP.

accountOn December 16, 2017, The New York Times published two stories regarding UAP (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomenon), including the existence of authentic forward-looking infrared videos taken from U.S. Navy jets and the existence of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP).

accountLuis Elizondo, a retired counter-intelligence operative who ran the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), testified at public Congressional hearings regarding UAP.

claimThe Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) was a spin-off of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) program known as the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP).

claimAside from Senator Harry Reid and two other Senators, there was a lack of Congressional knowledge or oversight regarding the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP) and the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP).

quotePentagon public affairs spokesperson Susan Gough stated on January 13, 2020: "DIA managed the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program. All of the work performed under AATIP was done via a single contract vehicle called AAWSAP. The total work effort for AATIP consisted of the 38 technical reports produced under the contract vehicle. DIA was the sole lead for management of AATIP via AAWSAP. Congress was briefed on the total work conducted for AATIP—the aforementioned 38 technical reports."

quotePentagon public affairs spokesperson Susan Gough stated in January 2020: "The Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) was the name of the overall program. The Advanced Aerospace Weapons Systems Application Program (AAWSAP) was the name of the contract that DIA awarded for the production of all technical reports under AATIP."

Disclosure movement - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org Wikipedia 6 facts

quoteLuis Elizondo, a former Department of Defense official and member of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, stated regarding UAP/UFOs: 'You have information being locked away that can change the trajectory of [our] species.'

claimThe New York Times published a story on December 16, 2017, titled "Glowing Auras and ‘Black Money’: The Pentagon’s Mysterious U.F.O. Program," which reported on the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program and popularized speculation that the US government might soon reveal information about UFOs.

claimLuis Elizondo, the former head of the U.S. Defense Department's Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, stated that a superior ordered him to stop investigating UFOs on the grounds that the phenomena are 'demonic.'

claimLuis Elizondo, former director of the Pentagon's AATIP program, stated that he is actively working behind the scenes as a disclosure advocate.

claimHarry Reid published a letter in April confirming that Luis Elizondo held a leadership role in the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP).

perspectiveLuis Elizondo, the former director of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), described a Pentagon report denying that UFOs are extraterrestrial as "intentionally dishonest, inaccurate and dangerously misleading."

Unidentified flying object - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org Wikipedia 3 facts

measurementThe United States Department of Defense funded the Advanced Aviation Threat Identification Program from 2007 to 2012 with a budget of $22 million.

claimThe New York Times reported in December 2017 on the secret Advanced Aviation Threat Identification Program, which was funded from 2007 to 2012 with $22 million.

claimThe Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program was a U.S. government program funded from 2007 to 2012.

Steven Greer | Exo News exonews.org Rich Scheck · ExoNews 1 fact

claimLuis Elizondo is a former intelligence operative who was linked to John Brennan, Jim Clapper, and the Department of Defense's AATIP project, which was tasked with tracking UFOs.