The Gimbal, GoFast & FLIR Videos Explained

In December 2017, the modern UFO conversation changed forever. What had long been dismissed as fringe speculation suddenly moved into the mainstream when three United States military infrared videos, commonly known as Gimbal, GoFast, and FLIR, were released to the public.

These cockpit recordings, captured by advanced targeting systems aboard United States Navy fighter jets, appeared to show unidentified aerial phenomena performing flight maneuvers that defied conventional explanation.

For millions searching Google with phrases like “What is the Gimbal UFO?”, “Are the Navy UFO videos real?”, and “Did the Pentagon confirm UAP footage?”, the answer lies in understanding what these videos actually show, who verified them, and why they matter.

At the Exo Solaria Union, our mission is to provide clear, evidence based analysis that separates speculation from documented fact, while asking the deeper questions that science, government transparency, and human curiosity demand.

This comprehensive guide breaks down the Gimbal, GoFast, and FLIR videos in detail, examines official Pentagon confirmation, explores expert analysis and skeptical interpretations, and explains why these clips remain central to the global UAP debate.

The Origins of the Navy UFO Videos and Pentagon Confirmation

The three UFO videos were first made public in 2017 through reporting by The New York Times, which revealed the existence of the Pentagon’s Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP). The footage was later officially acknowledged by the United States Department of Defense.

In 2020, the Pentagon formally confirmed the authenticity of the UFO videos, stating they were recorded by United States Navy pilots and that the objects depicted remain “unidentified.” This was not an admission of extraterrestrial origin, but it was a landmark moment in UFO history.

For the first time, the United States government publicly validated that military personnel had recorded aerial phenomena that were not immediately explainable.

The three video clips, Gimbal, GoFast, and FLIR, were captured between 2004 and 2015.

January 2015 Gimball UFO Video near the USS Theodore Roosevelt off the Atlantic coast

Each UFO video was recorded using advanced infrared targeting pods capable of tracking heat signatures and calculating speed and distance. These are not shaky smartphone recordings. They are military grade sensor data.

Understanding each UFO video individually is crucial to grasping why they continue to dominate search queries and public discussion.

The FLIR1 Video: The 2004 Nimitz “Tic Tac” Encounter Explained

The earliest of the three videos, commonly referred to as FLIR1, was recorded in 2004 during a training exercise involving the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group off the coast of California.

Navy pilots encountered what they described as a white, oblong “Tic Tac” shaped object. Commander David Fravor, one of the pilots involved, later described the object as having no wings, no visible propulsion system, and no exhaust plume. According to his account, it executed rapid acceleration and instantaneous directional changes that exceeded known aircraft capabilities.

The FLIR footage shows a small, fast moving UFO object locked by the aircraft’s targeting system. At one point, the object appears to accelerate rapidly out of frame. The pilot can be heard reacting in surprise.

Skeptics argue that the UFO object could be a distant aircraft or drone misinterpreted due to sensor limitations. Others suggest atmospheric distortions or tracking errors may explain the movement.

However, what makes the FLIR encounter unique is not just the video, it’s the corroborating radar data and eyewitness testimony from multiple pilots and ship personnel. For those searching “Nimitz UFO explained” or “Tic Tac UAP analysis,” the combination of sensor data and firsthand accounts keeps the case scientifically compelling.

The Gimbal Video: Rotating UFO and Advanced Flight Characteristics

Recorded in 2015 by Navy pilots off the East Coast, the Gimbal UFO video may be the most visually intriguing of the three.

The infrared footage shows a dark, oval shaped object moving against strong winds at high altitude. At a critical moment in the video, the object appears to rotate or “gimbal” on its axis while maintaining forward movement.

The pilots can be heard discussing multiple objects in the area, suggesting the UFO sighting was not isolated. One pilot remarks, “There’s a whole fleet of them.”

This rotation is the focal point of intense debate. Some analysts argue that the apparent rotation is an optical artifact caused by the camera’s gimbal system itself adjusting angles. Others contend the object’s thermal signature suggests structured craft rather than atmospheric distortion.

For Google users asking “Did the Gimbal UFO rotate?” or “Is the Gimbal video debunked?”, the answer depends on interpretation. While plausible camera explanations exist, there is no consensus that definitively resolves the anomaly.

What remains undisputed is that trained military aviators observed something they could not immediately identify, something that appeared to operate beyond expected aerodynamic norms.

The GoFast Video: Speed, Distance, and Sensor Calculations

The GoFast video, also recorded in 2015, appears at first glance less dramatic than Gimbal or FLIR. It shows a small object skimming low over the ocean’s surface at high speed.

The targeting pod displays data indicating altitude, speed, and tracking information. Pilots react with surprise at how fast the UFO object seems to be moving.

However, this video has generated the most vigorous skeptical analysis. Independent researchers have suggested that when parallax effects are considered, the object may not be moving as fast as initially believed. If the object is farther away than assumed, its apparent high speed could be an illusion created by relative motion.

Still, official explanations have not conclusively identified the object. The Pentagon has never stated it was a bird, balloon, drone, or known aircraft. It remains categorized as unidentified.

For those searching “GoFast UFO speed analysis” or “Was GoFast just a balloon?”, the reality is nuanced. Calculations suggest conventional explanations are possible, but they have not been formally confirmed.

Why the Pentagon’s UAP Acknowledgment Matters

The key turning point in public perception came when the Department of Defense confirmed the authenticity of the footage. The government’s acknowledgment reframed the conversation from conspiracy theory to national security inquiry.

In 2021, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released a preliminary UAP report analyzing 144 military encounters. The report concluded that most cases remained unexplained due to limited data.

Importantly, the report did not attribute the phenomena to extraterrestrials. Instead, it categorized possibilities into airborne clutter, natural atmospheric phenomena, United States classified programs, foreign adversary systems, and “other.”

The Gimbal, GoFast, and FLIR videos sit within this broader UAP framework.

Search intent has shifted dramatically since 2017. Instead of “Are UFOs real?”, users now ask “What did the Pentagon confirm about UAP?” and “What are unidentified aerial phenomena?”

The language itself has evolved. “UFO” has largely been replaced in official contexts by “UAP” (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) to reduce stigma and encourage scientific investigation.

Scientific, Skeptical, and Aerospace Perspectives

A comprehensive explanation must include both believers and skeptics.

Aerospace engineers note that extraordinary maneuvers seen in FLIR and Gimbal would require propulsion systems far beyond known technology. Instant acceleration without sonic booms or visible exhaust challenges conventional physics.

Skeptical analysts counter that infrared targeting pods are complex systems prone to optical illusions, sensor bloom, and misinterpretation. Without full telemetry data, raw radar logs, and contextual metadata, definitive conclusions remain elusive.

Some experts suggest advanced drone technology or foreign surveillance platforms could explain at least some UFO sightings. Others argue that if such technology existed, it would represent a massive leap in aerospace capability.

The lack of definitive identification is precisely what fuels ongoing public interest.

Media Impact and Public Perception Shift

Major media coverage played a critical role in legitimizing the discussion. High profile interviews with Navy pilots and intelligence officials moved the conversation from internet forums into mainstream discourse.

Public opinion surveys now show that a significant portion of Americans believe UFOs represent advanced technology not yet publicly understood.

The release of these UFO videos also inspired congressional hearings and new transparency initiatives. The U.S. government established the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) to further investigate UAP incidents.

The Gimbal, GoFast, and FLIR videos became symbols of a new era: one where the UFO question is examined not with ridicule, but with cautious inquiry.

Are the Gimbal, GoFast, and FLIR Videos Evidence of Aliens?

This is the most searched question, and the most important to answer responsibly.

There is currently no direct evidence that the objects in these videos are extraterrestrial spacecraft. No physical materials have been publicly presented. No biological evidence accompanies the footage.

However, the absence of proof is not proof of absence.

The videos confirm something critical: trained military personnel, using advanced sensor systems, recorded aerial phenomena that remain officially unidentified.

Whether those phenomena represent advanced foreign technology, unknown atmospheric effects, sensor artifacts, or something more extraordinary like aliens, remains an open scientific question.

The proper approach is disciplined curiosity, not blind belief, and not reflexive dismissal.

Why These Videos Still Matter Today

Nearly a decade after some of the footage was recorded, the Gimbal, GoFast, and FLIR videos continue to dominate UFO related Google searches.

They matter because they represent the intersection of military technology, government transparency, and the possibility of unknown aerial capabilities.

They matter because they demonstrate that the stigma around UFO reporting has diminished within defense communities.

They matter because they show that the United States government is willing to publicly acknowledge uncertainty.

Most importantly, they matter because they highlight the limits of our current understanding.

The Future of UAP Investigation and Disclosure

The release of these UFO videos was not an endpoint, it was a beginning.

With increased congressional oversight, new reporting mechanisms for military pilots, and expanding international interest in UAP research, the study of unidentified aerial phenomena is entering a new phase.

Advanced sensor fusion, artificial intelligence analysis, and improved data transparency may eventually clarify what these objects were.

Until then, the Gimbal, GoFast, and FLIR videos remain among the strongest publicly available military documented UAP cases.

At the Exo Solaria Union, we believe that the path forward requires rigorous analysis, open dialogue, and fearless inquiry. The truth about UFOs, whatever it ultimately reveals, demands nothing less than this.