Observables Detected in Newly Released Military UAP Video

New military footage released by investigative journalists Jeremy Corbell and George Knapp on their program Weaponized shows a UAP tracked by a US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Jordanian-Syrian border in 2021. The footage, obtained from official military archives, was formally designated as UAP by analysts within the US Intelligence Community, not by the journalists themselves.

The video shows the drone’s weapons-grade targeting system locking onto an object described as mushroom or dome shaped, displaying no visible wings, rotors, exhaust, or any known means of propulsion. According to former Department of State analyst and Obama administration Defense Department appointee Marik von Rennenkampff, who analyzed the footage on Weaponized, the object appeared colder than its surroundings on the thermal sensor throughout the encounter, even during what he described as instantaneous acceleration.

Von Rennenkampff stated on the program that preliminary analysis does not suggest the movement is an artifact of camera motion, noting that the background continues moving downward from parallax while the object shoots off in a separate direction.

Marik von Rennenkampff

Von Rennenkampff identified up to three observables in the footage, a term the military uses to categorize UAP behavior. These include instantaneous acceleration, positive lift without visible propulsion or control surfaces, and potentially hypersonic velocity. He compared the object to known drones and aircraft captured by the same sensor platform, noting that conventional aircraft clearly display their structure, wings, and exhaust in infrared, while this object showed none of those features. He also referenced a 2022 Daily Mail article quoting an Office of the Director of National Intelligence source that described what appears to be this exact scenario, matching the platform, location, and observed behavior.

Von Rennenkampff also raised concerns about classification, stating he sees no reason this footage should remain classified given that MQ-9 sensor symbology is publicly available, the security situation in Syria has changed, and the surveillance itself is not sensitive. He referenced a 1948 letter from the chief of intelligence at Wright Patterson Air Force Base that outlined a similar approach of dismissing reports as balloons while withholding anomalous data.

Still image of video

In a separate development, Representative Robert Garcia confirmed in an interview with Ask a Pol’s Matt Laslo that the bipartisan UAP whistleblower protection bill is gaining momentum, with House Oversight Chair James Comer showing support. Garcia stated he believes more UAP whistleblowers will come forward once the bill passes and revealed that the House Oversight Committee currently operates an active whistleblower protection line through its website. He also acknowledged that current efforts to weaken inspector general offices and other oversight mechanisms make strengthening these protections even more critical.

Sources

Boswell, J. (2022, October 31). New classified report to congress says only HALF of UFO sightings can be properly explained. Mail Online. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11373603/New-classified-report-congress-says-HALF-UFO-sightings-properly-explained.html

Jeremy Corbell. (2026, February 4). SYRIA UAP 2021 : Military-Filmed Footage / Apparent Instantaneous acceleration [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKtJslcHlCQ

Laslo, M. (2026, February 4). Bipartisan whistleblower protection bill picking up steam. Ask a Pol uap. https://www.askapoluaps.com/p/stay-tuned-on-uap-whistleblower-protections

McCoy Memo — 1948. (n.d.). https://www.project1947.com/fig/1948c.htm