Arctic Ocean: Radar/sonar military target
British Royal Navy ship 30-50 miles off Svalbard detects unknown target on radar at 35,000 feet, descending to fast-moving underwater object on sonar. Crew ordered to silence afterward.
Background
Event Details
On February 28, 1963 at around 3:15, a British sonar and radar operator aboard a Royal Navy ship about 30–50 miles off the coast of Svalbard in the Arctic Ocean reported an unidentified target. It appeared on three radar screens, the best of which showed a solid object 100–120 feet across at 35,000 feet.
Confirmation and Behavior
A senior officer contacted a nearby ship by radio, which confirmed the target as well. The object descended rapidly below the radar limit and was detected seconds later as a strong sonar echo 10 miles away, taking a zigzag course away from the ship.
Witnesses and Aftermath
The entire crew was instructed never to discuss the incident. Reported by Walter N. Webb in the MUFON UFO Journal. This radar/sonar event points to military encounters with trans-medium objects in remote waters.