Document Overview

The “Gimbal” video, recorded on January 21, 2015, by a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet from the USS Theodore Roosevelt, captures one of the most compelling pieces of UAP evidence ever released. The footage shows an object demonstrating a unique capability - rotating on its axis while maintaining forward flight, defying known aerodynamic principles. Released publicly in 2017 alongside the “FLIR1” and “GoFast” videos, Gimbal became instrumental in changing public and governmental perception of UAPs. The video’s authentication by the Pentagon and the expert commentary captured in the audio provide unprecedented insight into military encounters with advanced unknown technology.

Recording Context

USS Theodore Roosevelt Deployment

Location and Mission:

  • Off Eastern Seaboard
  • Routine training operations
  • Multiple carrier strike groups
  • Upgraded sensor systems
  • Heightened UAP activity period

The Encounter

Initial Detection:

  • Multiple objects on radar
  • Fleet-wide tracking
  • CAP vectored to investigate
  • Visual and sensor confirmation
  • Extended observation period

Recording Aircraft

F/A-18F Super Hornet:

  • Two-seat configuration
  • Pilot and Weapons Systems Officer
  • Advanced ATFLIR pod
  • Multiple sensor modes
  • High-definition recording

Technical Specifications

ATFLIR System

AN/ASQ-228 Advanced Targeting Forward-Looking Infrared:

  • Raytheon manufactured
  • Generation 3 FLIR
  • Multiple wavelengths
  • Laser designator capable
  • Auto-tracking features
  • High resolution imaging

Video Parameters

Recording Details:

  • Infrared mode (Black Hot)
  • 640x480 resolution
  • 30 frames per second
  • Digital stabilization
  • Metadata embedded
  • Classified version higher quality

Sensor Modes Used

During Encounter:

  • IR (Infrared) primary
  • TV mode attempted
  • Laser ranging data
  • Auto-track engaged
  • Zoom levels varied

The Video Content

Visual Elements

Object Characteristics:

  • Distinct shape visible
  • Apparent disc or gimbal form
  • Heat signature prominent
  • No visible propulsion
  • No control surfaces
  • Symmetric appearance

The Rotation

Unique Behavior:

  • Complete axis rotation
  • Maintains flight path
  • No altitude change
  • Speed constant
  • Defies aerodynamics
  • Impossible for conventional craft

Background Objects

Fleet Formation:

  • Multiple objects mentioned
  • “Whole fleet of them”
  • V formation indicated
  • Against wind movement
  • Coordinated flight

Audio Analysis

Crew Commentary

Key Statements:

“There’s a whole fleet of them!”

  • Multiple objects present
  • Not isolated encounter
  • Formation flying

“They’re all going against the wind”

  • Wind 120 knots west
  • Objects traveling east
  • Powered flight confirmed

“Look at that thing!”

  • Excitement evident
  • Unusual behavior noted
  • Professional amazement

“It’s rotating!”

  • Key observation
  • Impossible maneuver
  • Technology demonstration

Professional Reactions

Trained Observers:

  • No misidentification
  • Technical knowledge evident
  • Proper procedures followed
  • Calm under unusual circumstances
  • Documentation priority

Object Behavior Analysis

Flight Characteristics

Observed Capabilities:

  • Steady altitude maintenance
  • Consistent speed
  • Against prevailing winds
  • Formation discipline
  • No wake turbulence
  • Silent operation implied

The Rotation Anomaly

Physics Violations:

  • Angular momentum conservation violated
  • No precession observed
  • Lift generation impossible
  • Stability maintained
  • Control surface absence
  • Propulsion invisibility

Speed Estimates

Calculated Velocity:

  • Subsonic speeds observed
  • Exact speed classified
  • Wind-relative motion
  • No sonic signatures
  • Efficient movement

Sensor Data Analysis

Heat Signature

Thermal Characteristics:

  • Uniform heat distribution
  • No exhaust plumes
  • Surface temperature elevated
  • Symmetric thermal profile
  • No hot spots
  • Field effects possible

Tracking Performance

ATFLIR Lock:

  • Stable track maintained
  • Through rotation maneuver
  • No break-lock
  • Automatic adjustments
  • High confidence track

Range Information

Distance Data:

  • Classified specifics
  • Multiple mile range
  • Closing rate documented
  • Altitude differential
  • Aspect angle changes

Fleet Aspects

Multiple Objects

Formation Details:

  • 5-6 objects minimum
  • V-formation mentioned
  • Spacing maintained
  • Coordinated movement
  • No communications detected

ASA Correlation

Radar Confirmation:

  • Ship-based radar tracking
  • Multiple sensor correlation
  • Fleet-wide awareness
  • Command notification
  • Data preservation ordered

Pentagon Authentication

Official Release

2017 Disclosure:

  • Authenticated as genuine
  • Unclassified version
  • Chain of custody verified
  • No alterations confirmed
  • Official USN footage

Statement Confirmation

DoD Acknowledgment:

  • Real Navy footage
  • Unidentified objects
  • No conventional explanation
  • Investigation ongoing
  • Unprecedented admission

Scientific Implications

Aerodynamic Impossibility

Conventional Physics:

  • Rotation destroys lift
  • Flight unsustainable
  • Control impossible
  • Known aircraft incapable
  • New physics required

Propulsion Mystery

No Visible Means:

  • No exhaust
  • No rotors
  • No control surfaces
  • No reaction mass
  • Field propulsion implied

Material Science

Structural Requirements:

  • Rotation stress extreme
  • Material strength needed
  • No deformation visible
  • Temperature management
  • Advanced composites minimum

Comparison with Other Videos

Versus FLIR1/Tic Tac

Different Behaviors:

  • Tic Tac: Extreme acceleration
  • Gimbal: Impossible rotation
  • Both: No visible propulsion
  • Both: Professional witnesses
  • Both: Sensor confirmation

Versus GoFast

Complementary Evidence:

  • GoFast: High-speed flight
  • Gimbal: Rotational anomaly
  • Same timeframe
  • Same carrier group
  • Pattern emergence

Expert Analysis

Christopher Mellon

Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense: “The Gimbal video shows an object performing maneuvers no known aircraft can execute. The rotation while maintaining flight is particularly significant.”

Kevin Day

Former Navy Operations Specialist: “We tracked these objects for days. Gimbal represents just one brief moment of a much longer series of encounters.”

SCU Analysis

Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies:

  • Detailed technical review
  • Rotation confirmed anomalous
  • Speed calculations verified
  • Heat signature analyzed
  • No conventional explanation

Debunking Attempts

Glare Hypothesis

Proposed Explanation:

  • ATFLIR glare rotation
  • Gimbal mechanism artifact

Refutation:

  • Heat source real
  • Background stable
  • Experts disagree
  • Multiple sensors
  • Pilot confirmation

Distant Aircraft

Conventional Explanation:

  • Commercial jet
  • Military aircraft
  • Perspective illusion

Problems:

  • No transponder
  • Wrong heat signature
  • Impossible rotation
  • Formation flying
  • Expert witnesses

Intelligence Implications

If Foreign Technology

Strategic Concerns:

  • Massive technology gap
  • Intelligence failure
  • Vulnerability exposed
  • Deterrence questioned
  • Response required

If Unknown Origin

Deeper Questions:

  • Non-human intelligence
  • Breakthrough physics
  • Surveillance purpose
  • Contact implications
  • Paradigm shift

Historical Significance

Disclosure Catalyst

Public Impact:

  • Mainstream media coverage
  • Congressional attention
  • Scientific interest
  • Policy changes
  • Stigma reduction

Military Acknowledgment

Cultural Shift:

  • Navy admits encounters
  • Pilots speak openly
  • Official channels created
  • Reporting encouraged
  • Truth emerging

Roosevelt UAP Flap

2014-2015 Encounters:

  • Daily sightings
  • Multiple witnesses
  • Various objects
  • Consistent patterns
  • Fleet-wide phenomenon

East Coast Pattern

Geographic Concentration:

  • Virginia Beach area
  • Warning areas
  • Training ranges
  • Repeated incursions
  • Ongoing activity

Document Preservation

Chain of Custody

Official Handling:

  • Immediately classified
  • Properly stored
  • Metadata preserved
  • Copies distributed
  • Pentagon archives

Public Release

FOIA Process:

  • Declassification review
  • Redactions applied
  • Quality reduced
  • Context removed
  • Core footage preserved

Pilot Perspectives

Ryan Graves

F/A-18 Pilot: “These objects were out there daily. The Gimbal video shows just one of many encounters we experienced.”

Anonymous Testimonies

Squadron Members:

  • Safety concerns primary
  • Technology beyond ours
  • Frequent encounters
  • Command awareness
  • Frustration with secrecy

Ongoing Investigation

UAPTF Analysis

Continued Study:

  • Enhanced footage exists
  • Additional data classified
  • Pattern analysis ongoing
  • Technology assessment
  • Origin theories explored

Congressional Interest

Briefings Conducted:

  • Classified sessions
  • Gimbal featured
  • Implications discussed
  • Actions demanded
  • Disclosure pressure

Conclusions

The Gimbal video represents one of the most significant pieces of UAP evidence ever released to the public. Its depiction of an object rotating while maintaining flight demonstrates capabilities impossible for any known aircraft, defying fundamental principles of aerodynamics. The professional commentary, sensor data, and Pentagon authentication combine to create an undeniable record of encounter with advanced technology of unknown origin.

The video’s importance extends beyond its technical content. It catalyzed a fundamental shift in how military personnel, government officials, and the public view UAPs. The calm professionalism of the Navy aircrew encountering something extraordinary, their matter-of-fact documentation, and the reference to “a whole fleet of them” paint a picture of routine military encounters with advanced technology that cannot be explained.

Most significantly, Gimbal proves that whatever UAPs represent, they demonstrate physics-defying capabilities that demand serious scientific investigation. The object’s ability to rotate while flying challenges our understanding of propulsion, materials science, and aerodynamics. Combined with other authenticated military footage, Gimbal helps establish that UAPs are not rare anomalies but recurring phenomena encountered by our most sophisticated sensor systems and trained observers.

As disclosure continues and more evidence emerges, the Gimbal video will be remembered as a turning point - the moment when undeniable proof of advanced unknown technology operating in our airspace became impossible to dismiss or explain away.