The 2019 USS Omaha 'Transmedium' Sphere: Naval Intelligence and FLIR Analysis

Naval Encounter Overview

In July 2019, a series of UAP incursions occurred involving multiple US Navy vessels within the Southern California Extended Operating Area. Among these, the encounter involving the USS Omaha (LCS-12) remains the most scientifically significant. Crew members on the Omaha’s Combat Information Center (CIC) recorded footage of a dark, spherical object hovering near the ship before performing a controlled descent into the Pacific Ocean. This incident is now cited in military circles as a primary example of 'transmedium' technology—the ability of a craft to operate in both atmospheric and maritime environments with ease.

FLIR Footage and Sensor Data

The footage, captured via Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) sensors, shows a small, round object moving steadily across the sky. The sailors can be heard in the background of the audio track expressing amazement at the object's steady flight path despite high winds. The object eventually slows down and drops into the water. Crucially, the Navy’s radar data from that evening confirmed that no wreckage was found, and the object did not resurface. The Department of Defense (DoD) officially confirmed the authenticity of this footage in April 2021, stating it was taken by Navy personnel.

AARO and The Black Vault Documentation

Following the release of the footage, independent researchers and FOIA advocates, including those at The Black Vault, obtained the USS Omaha's deck logs. These logs confirm that a 'Search and Rescue' (SAR) mission was launched immediately after the object entered the water, involving both a helicopter and a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB). The logs state 'No debris found' and 'No oil slick observed,' which contradicts the behavior of a crashing drone or balloon. AARO’s 2024 analysis of the case attempted to categorize it as a 'potential sensor artifact,' yet they acknowledged the visual confirmation from multiple platforms, including the USS Kidd and USS Russell.

Technological Implications

The ability of a craft to transition from air to water without significant kinetic impact or structural failure represents a leap in propulsion technology unknown to the United States or its adversaries. This case was a major focal point of the 2022 and 2023 Congressional UAP hearings, where officials were questioned on whether the Navy possesses sonar data of the object moving underwater. The USS Omaha case remains a live investigation within the Pentagon's UAP task force, serving as a benchmark for identifying 'anomalous' versus 'prosaic' aerial phenomena.