The Pentagon UFO videos are back — and this time, they are more detailed than ever. On May 22, 2026, the U.S. Department of Defense released a second major batch of declassified UFO files. The release sent shockwaves across the internet and reignited public debate about what the government truly knows. Meanwhile, the footage includes some of the clearest UAP recordings ever made available to the public.
What the Pentagon Released on May 22, 2026
The Pentagon released a new batch of 64 files related to UFOs, or UAPs. Friday’s release includes six PDF files, seven audio files, and 51 video files. The videos show footage of UAPs from military aircraft, with each clip accompanied by a detailed description. CBS News
Officials stressed that the materials were released “for informational purposes only” and should not be viewed as a determination about what the objects were or whether the events were authentic. CNN
Therefore, the government is sharing the footage — but offering no firm conclusions.
The Rolling Disclosure Ordered by Trump
This second drop is part of a larger transparency push. The Pentagon unveiled another batch of its so-called UFO files on Friday, part of a rolling release of once-classified material ordered released by President Donald Trump. Joe.My.God.
The files are being released on a rolling basis at war.gov/UFO following President Trump’s promise to declassify certain government files, including those related to UAPs. NewsNation
Pentagon officials said the war.gov/ufo website has received more than 1 billion hits since it launched on May 8. That figure alone shows the extraordinary level of public interest in this material. Washington Times
The Most Shocking Footage in the New Release
Intelligence Officer Left “Virtually Speechless”
Perhaps the most gripping document in the new batch comes from a firsthand military account. The most striking document is an account by a currently serving senior intelligence officer who detailed his experience investigating UFO sightings in late 2025 onboard a military helicopter. The officer wrote that he and the crew had “a series of close UAP encounters lasting over an hour” as they investigated previous sightings. CBS News
He wrote: “In the distance, we saw countless orange orbs swarming in all directions against the backdrop of the mountain. The display lasted several minutes before fading.” CBS News
The encounter did not stop there. He and the pilots observed two large orbs flare up side by side, close to the helicopter — stationary and just above the rotor disk to their right. The orbs were described as oval-shaped, orange with a white or yellow center, and emitting light in all directions. CBS News
The account also describes a low-level, high-speed object that appeared to split in two and accelerate in different directions. Washington Times
Furthermore, the encounter escalated. After fighters were scrambled, the orbs appeared to chase the jets. The officer described the crew as “virtually speechless” after these observations. Yahoo!
Key Videos Released in the Second Batch
The new Pentagon UFO videos cover a wide range of encounters. Here is a summary of the most notable clips:
- Syrian UAP instant acceleration — A five-minute video recorded in 2021 from an infrared sensor aboard a U.S. military platform. Newswav
- Lake Huron shootdown — A clip from February 2023 that appears to show a U.S. Air Force fighter jet shooting down a UAP over Lake Huron. Newswav
- Coast Guard infrared footage — A video from an infrared sensor operated by the U.S. Coast Guard in April 2024, showing an object flying near a plane over the Southeastern U.S. ABC News
- Cigar-shaped UAP — A video captured in October 2022 in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, showing a “cigar-shaped or fast spherical UAP” flying over a street. Newswav
- Orbs near a submarine — Multiple orb-like UAPs observed moving in different directions near a U.S. submarine, with some appearing to float on the ocean surface. The Hollywood Reporter
How This Compares to the First Batch
The release comes two weeks after the Pentagon uploaded the first group of documents, photos, and videos to the new site. Those files included declassified pages from the FBI’s UFO case files, reports of strange encounters by military pilots, diplomatic cables about incidents around the world, and photos from NASA missions. CBS News
The first batch included accounts from farmers, commercial pilots, Navy pilots, and even astronauts. Naval aviator encounters generated the most buzz — because they came with video evidence. Time
However, the second batch goes further. The drop includes notably clearer footage than the first batch, which was criticized for largely consisting of blurry orbs. Therefore, this release represents a meaningful leap in visual quality and detail. Yahoo!
Apollo Astronauts and Historical Sightings
The new release also reaches back into history. The second batch includes audio of the Apollo 12 astronauts, who landed on the moon in 1969, describing “streaks of lights” they saw in the dark while trying to sleep. NASA eventually determined the unexplained phenomena were internal to the astronauts’ vision rather than external light sources, according to the Pentagon’s website. Newswav
A NASA official’s scribbled note — also part of the document dump — references a UFO sighting by astronaut Frank Borman, including a statement about a master tape in the control room and references to “an unidentified object, plus the booster.” Time
Meanwhile, historical ground-level encounters also feature in the archive. The documents include the results of contemporary investigations into residual copper powder found in some areas where UFO sightings were reported. Some of these investigations helped fuel Project Grudge, a brief U.S. Air Force investigation into UFO sightings launched in 1949. Newswav
Defense Secretary Hegseth Speaks Out
The Pentagon’s disclosure effort comes with strong political backing. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a statement: “These files, hidden behind classifications, have long fueled justified speculation, and it’s time the American people see it for themselves.” Washington Times
His statement signals that the current administration views transparency on UAPs as a political priority. Moreover, it suggests further releases are likely.
What Lawmakers Requested
Congress played a direct role in shaping what the public sees. The second drop includes over 40 videos specifically requested by lawmakers. NewsNation
Among those was a video that Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and former Rep. Matt Gaetz went to Eglin Air Force Base to request in person in 2023. That video includes infrared sensor footage of a strange object, which the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office previously stated was a commercial lighting balloon. NewsNation
However, the footage continues to raise questions that a simple explanation does not fully answer. Therefore, public scrutiny of these files remains intense.
What Experts and the Public Are Saying
The reaction to the Pentagon UFO videos has been swift and widespread. Defense analysts, aerospace researchers, and UAP investigators are actively reviewing the footage.
Many observers note that the footage does not prove extraterrestrial life. However, several clips show objects performing maneuvers that challenge conventional understanding of aerodynamics. Objects accelerating instantly, splitting into two, and reversing direction defy the capabilities of known aircraft.
The Pentagon stressed that the files vary significantly in quality, sourcing, and verification standards, but said they were released as part of a broader transparency effort surrounding unidentified aerial phenomena. Lawmakers from both parties have continued pushing for greater disclosure around government-held UAP records and military encounter reports. Newsweek
What Comes Next
The Pentagon has not indicated how many more releases are planned. However, the rolling nature of the disclosure suggests more files are coming. Each batch has drawn unprecedented web traffic, and public demand for answers shows no sign of slowing.
The release represents an effort to make good on a promise the president made on April 17, 2026, that those eyewitness accounts would be released to the public. Time
For now, the files are available for anyone to view at the government’s dedicated UAP portal. Researchers, journalists, and members of the public are all digging through the material. Therefore, new analysis and discoveries are expected in the days ahead.
Conclusion
The Pentagon UFO videos released on May 22, 2026, represent the most significant public disclosure of UAP material in U.S. history. From glowing orbs chasing fighter jets to color footage of unknown craft, the files are generating fierce debate worldwide. Meanwhile, the government maintains it has no confirmed explanation for what these objects are.
One thing is certain: the conversation around UFOs has moved far beyond science fiction. It now sits at the center of national security, political transparency, and one of the most enduring mysteries in human history.
Stay tuned to our science and defense section for ongoing coverage of the UAP disclosure and expert analysis of the latest Pentagon files.
