The 2018 Mt. Etna Infrared Anomaly: Evaluation of AARO Sensor Data

Technical Analysis of the Encounter

In December 2018, a U.S. military uncrewed aerial system (UAS) operating in the vicinity of U.S. Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, recorded a significant aerial anomaly while monitoring an eruption of Mt. Etna. The shortwave infrared (SWIR) camera captured approximately 12 minutes of footage. For a duration of four and a half minutes, a distinct, round object is visible on the sensor feed, exhibiting flight characteristics that appeared to defy conventional aerodynamic constraints. The object was observed transiting through a superheated gas and ash plume produced by the volcanic activity, maintaining high speeds that were inconsistent with standard drone or bird activity in such extreme environmental conditions.

Government Disclosure and AARO Review

This incident was later subjected to rigorous review by the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), the Department of Defense office tasked with investigating UAP. As part of the government's commitment to transparency regarding historical and modern UAP reports, the case was included in AARO's public case resolution dossiers. The documentation of this event highlights the utility of advanced military sensor suites in capturing data on phenomena that would otherwise go unnoticed. By utilizing the Black Vault's extensive archive of declassified government reports, researchers can cross-reference this specific case with the broader context of the FY23 Consolidated Annual Report on UAP. The Mt. Etna case serves as a primary example of how the U.S. military is now systematically cataloging and analyzing anomalous sensor data, moving away from the historical tendency to dismiss such encounters without technical evaluation.