Feds ask private sector to watch for UAPs, other ‘unmanned systems’

(NewsNation) — A division within the FBI is asking defense contractors to report incursions by “unmanned systems” — including unidentified anomalous phenomena — that could pose a threat to U.S. national security.

NewsNation special investigative correspondent Ross Coulthart has obtained a flyer produced by the FBI’s Office of the Private Sector announcing a new initiative to report unmanned systems such as drones and underwater vehicles that could pose a threat to defense facilities and “critical infrastructure” sites.

The document notes an increase in “incursions over recent months” and says the unmanned systems “may be intended to disrupt operations or gauge U.S. response capabilities and policies.” Respondents are directed to use eGuardian, the FBI platform that documents suspicious activity and criminal incidents.

The FBI says unmanned systems — the bureau calls them “UxS” — can include the following:

•Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

• Small-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (s-UAS)

• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)

• Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV)

• Remotely Piloted Vehicles (RPV)

• Unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP)

• “Drones”

Some have used the term UAP interchangeably with UFO to denote unexplained objects that could be of extraterrestrial origin. UAP, however, is a broader term favored by government agencies; it can describe unexplainable sights in the sky, not just unidentified flying objects, and objects in water.