entity

U.S. Department of Defense

Also known as: DoD, Department of Defense, U.S. Defense Department, United States Department of Defense, Defense Department

Facts (19)

Sources

How the Pentagon Started Taking U.F.O.s Seriously | The New Yorker newyorker.com The New Yorker Apr 30, 2021 3 facts

claimIn November 2009, the Defense Department denied the request to grant the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program 'restricted special access program' (SAP) status.

claimThe U.S. Department of Defense confirmed the existence of the U.F.O. program but stated it was closed in 2012 due to funding priorities.

claimIn November 2009, the Defense Department denied the request for the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program to be granted 'restricted special access program' (SAP) status.

Consequences of the Russia-Ukraine War and the Changing Face ... rand.org RAND Corporation May 22, 2025 3 facts

claimThe U.S. Department of Defense should assess how increasing reliance on uncrewed aerial systems (UASs) affects adversary perceptions, as these systems could either enhance deterrence by signaling improved capability or increase the risk of miscalculation if perceived as a sign of U.S. unwillingness to take casualties.

perspectiveThe U.S. Department of Defense should focus Defense Industrial Base (DIB) investments on long-term requirements for U.S. and allied forces, rather than prioritizing only Ukraine's immediate warfighting needs and the backfilling of donor countries.

perspectiveThe U.S. Department of Defense should update U.S. and NATO plans for deterrence against Russia to incorporate lessons learned from the fighting in Ukraine, such as the increased role and capabilities of uncrewed aerial systems (UASs).

Rethinking Espionage in the Modern Era cjil.uchicago.edu Chicago Journal of International Law 2 facts

quoteThe U.S. Department of Defense’s dictionary of military terms defines “cyberspace operations” as “[t]he employment of cyber space capabilities where the primary purpose is to achieve objectives in or through cyber space.”

claimThe U.S. Department of Defense does not explicitly define cyber espionage or cyber attack in its dictionary of military terms, instead categorizing cyber espionage as espionage conducted as a cyberspace operation.

How the Pentagon learned to start worrying and investigate UFOs nationalgeographic.com National Geographic Jun 25, 2021 2 facts

claimThe Defense Department’s UAP Task Force was established in 2017 to investigate unidentified aerial phenomena.

claimThe Defense Department denied the existence of the UAP Task Force until 2020, when Congress revealed the program in legislative language.

Emerging Technology and Irregular Warfare: Launching a New ... irregularwarfare.org Irregular Warfare Initiative Feb 2, 2026 1 fact

accountKristina Kempkey has led and advised major efforts with USAID, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the United Nations, working with military, diplomatic, and civilian partners in Africa, Eastern Europe, and South Asia.

The Israel-Hamas War: Risks of Escalation and Scenarios for ... mei.edu Middle East Institute 1 fact

claimBrian Katulis previously worked at the National Security Council and the U.S. Departments of State and Defense.

Strategic Rivalry between United States and China swp-berlin.org SWP 1 fact

referenceThe U.S. Department of Defense published the 'Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2019: Annual Report to Congress' on May 2, 2019.

Disclosure movement - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org Wikipedia 1 fact

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.'

The Evolution of the U.S. Intelligence Community-An Historical ... govinfo.gov U.S. Government Publishing Office 1 fact

accountThe Iran-Contra operation was initiated by National Security Council (NSC) staff and executed with the assistance of officers from the CIA and the Defense Department, following a retroactive covert action finding signed by President Ronald Reagan in January 1986 that was not reported to Congress.

Ufology: From Fringe to Mainstream to Fringe? - Skeptic Magazine skeptic.com Skeptic Feb 20, 2026 1 fact

claimThe U.S. Department of Defense confirmed the authenticity of forward-looking infrared videos of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) captured by U.S. Navy jets.

'UAP are real': Congress pushes quest for transparency on UFOs legion.org The American Legion Nov 14, 2024 1 fact

claimThe Defense Department’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) was created in 2022 to investigate UFO sightings and standardize data collection.

Is the Government Concealing UFO Craft and Dead Extraterrestrials? bu.edu Boston University 1 fact

claimThe study panel is working in collaboration with the Defense Department’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, which focuses on safety and national security aspects of UAP.

Policy Steps to Prevent a Nuclear Iran | The Washington Institute washingtoninstitute.org Michael Singh · The Washington Institute Jan 28, 2025 1 fact

claimThe U.S. Department of Defense strengthened military relations with regional partners, but the U.S. government took little action to directly challenge Iran.