Round cold IR object with abrupt directional changes — Gulf of Aden, October 2020

On 15 October 2020 between 14:18:39Z and 14:19:52Z (73 seconds), an O-2 pilot from a redacted attack squadron (172 ATKS) on an ISR mission over the Gulf of Aden at 19,073 ft observed a round, cold (IR-cold against the warm sea background) object traveling at 319 degrees magnetic at approximately 20 mph. The IR sensor was set to Black Hot mode and the object appeared as bright white. The object made 'a few abrupt directional changes' during the 1-minute contact period. Slant range was 4.06 NM; ground range 4.78 km.

“"While at 19,073 HAT over the Gulf of Aden we tracked a round, cold object in IR traveling 31.9 degrees at 20 mph. It made a few abrupt directional changes during the 1 minute contact. Our sensor was aimed ~50 degrees below our altitude with a slant range of 4.06NM and ground range of 4.78KM. The IR sensor was set to black hot and the object in question was a bright white."”

Document is a SPEAR Range Fouler Debrief Form. Contact duration explicitly bounded: 14:18:39Z to 14:19:52Z = 73 seconds. Aircraft altitude 19,073 ft HAT stated. Object described as 'round' (checkbox checked), moving (yes), contact direction partially readable as '31.9 degrees' at 20 mph. Sensor aimed ~50 degrees below horizon. Exact lat/long is redacted under (b)(1)1.4a; MGRS '400 8D' partially legible placing it near Gulf of Aden. Location centroid used for Gulf of Aden. Object IR-cold/Black Hot mode means object was cooler than surroundings, appearing bright white — consistent with possible metallic or non-thermal object. OCR quality fair. Confidence reasonable due to clear sensor geometry data.