US: Biden signs NDAA establishing UAP office
On December 27, 2021, President Joe Biden enacted the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2022, which mandates a new office for unidentified aerial phenomena. It replaces the prior task force and addresses cases with health impacts.
Background
Background
President Joe Biden signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2022 on December 27, 2021. A key amendment, introduced by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), requires the defence department to work with other agencies to record, examine, and report cases of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), including those with adverse health effects.
New Structure
The act funds the Airborne Object Identification and Management Synchronization Group (AOIMSG) as successor to the UAP Task Force of the Office of Naval Intelligence. This office is to serve as a central data body, to cooperate with allies in order to assess UAP incidents better, to set up a rapid response team for field investigations, and to deliver annual reports to Congress.
Significance
The measure marks a formal, institutionalised approach to handling UAP in the United States, with an emphasis on security, coordination, and transparency. It builds on earlier initiatives and shaped later developments such as the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO).