A Strategic Air Command B-52 picks up an unidentified aircraft on its gunnery radar over Saudi Arabia
January 18, 1957 · Over Saudi Arabia (about 27°N 47°E) · Sighting · Primary document linked
An Air Intelligence Information Report of 19 January 1957 says that on 18 January B-52 number 394 of the 93d Bombardment Wing, flying from Castle AFB on the Strategic Air Command mission 'Operation Powerflight', picked up an unidentified aircraft on its A-3A gunnery radar at night at 39,000 feet, shortly before meeting a tanker. The return held at the 6,000-yard mark for five to seven minutes, then left the scope when the bomber banked left, apparently heading toward the Baghdad Flight Identification Region. It was smaller than the return from a second B-52 at the 3,000-yard mark. The report's stated significance is that the aircraft appeared where none were expected.
Era: Project Blue Book · Threads: Military and police witnesses
Why it matters (2/5)
A single radar contact in a routine Air Force intelligence report; no follow-up.
Caveats
There was no visual sighting, and the report itself says the disappearance may have been caused by the bomber's turn. The source is the crew; the report rates it B-2. No identification or follow-up is in the release.
Sources
- Air Intelligence Information Report Saudi Arabia 1957 (DOW-UAP-D155) (U.S. Department of War), primary