Introduction. Page I iii Abstract. Explanation of nicap and its policies

These borderline cases have some characteristics in common with those on the main chronology. In each case, a definite E-M effect was reported. However, either the associated aerial phenomenon was not distinct or it could not be determined that an E-M effect and a UFO sighted nearby coincided in time.

(a) July 6, 1947; Acampo, Calif. All lights in community went out, as citizens heard a roaring noise and saw a glow in the sky.

(b) July 20, 1952; Cumberland, Md. Engineer reported unusual type of TV interference. Occurred within a few hours of the famous Washington, D.C., UFO sightings all over D.C. - Virginia area.

(c) January 21, 1957; Bristol, England. TV pictures disrupted and noise heard on audio; same time as fiery light in sky with rays running through it. (Aurora?)

(d) January 27, 1957; Glendora, Calif. Unexplained power failure. Two UFOs reported same night in general area.

(e) May 7, 1957; New York, N.Y. TV disrupted, citizens complained about low-flying "aircraft". Commercial test plane blamed, but Air Force reported several unidentified blips on radar.

(f) September 1, 1957; LeMars, Iowa. Car motor and headlights failed, as flash of light seen in sky.

(g) November 2 or 3, 1957; Las Cruces, N.M. Car motor and headlights failed twice as witness, a UFO skeptic, saw flashes of light in the sky. Witness blamed it on "static atmosphere."

(h) November 28, 1957; Hakalau, Hawaii. Car motor failed, driver felt numb, as bright flash of light appeared in sky about 20 feet above highway ahead of car.

(i) December 1, 1957; Ann Arbor, Michigan. Telephone lines affected by odd noise in Detroit area, as numerous red lights observed in sky. (Aurora?)

(j) Approximately August 16, 1958; Olean, N.Y. and Eldred, Penna. Strange noise lasting one minute heard on short wave, 2C meter band, in Olean. UFO seen in nearby Eldred about same time.

(k) December 7, 1959; Bangor, Me. Airport runway lights went out, airliner circling over field reported unexplained blinding glow around plane.

During the summer of 1963 the story broke that Russian nuclear tests of 1961-1962 in the atmosphere had knocked out the electronic equipment on board a U.S. satellite in space, [3.] Publicity about this little-known side effect of high-yield nuclear explosions immediately led to speculation on the military applications of it. A prominent magazine on space activities later that year reported that the Soviet Union might be developing an anti-ballistic missile system based on the E-M effects of nuclear blasts. [4.]

The main significance of this discovery, in relation to UFOs, is that it provides a clue about how UFOs might affect the electrical systems of automobiles. American scientists have theorized that an "electromagnetic pulse" is emitted by large nuclear explosions at high altitude. John Crittenden, General Electric consultant on radiation, has stated: "The detonation of (nuclear) weapons produces radiation over the entire electromagnetic spectrum. The prompt gamma pulse will affect electronic devices sensitive to ionization, and the radio-frequency signal propagated carries enough energy to damage electronic circuits drastically. . ." Mr. Crittenden added that a one-megaton explosion in space could affect electronic systems over a radius of 110 miles or more.

In testimony before the House Committee on Science & Astronautics, major aerospace firms have strongly advocated the development of an atomic engine for use in the U.S. space program. [5.] Douglas Aircraft Corporation, for example, citing the inefficiency and great expense of normal rocket boosters, stated: "A gross reduction of these costs will come only with the development of a propulsion system with truly superior performance. Only then will extensive manned space travel on an interplanetary scale be practical. In our opinion, the greatest immediate hope for such an improvement may be found in nuclear propulsion systems. . ." [6.]

The energy locked up in matter, obviously, is universal. UFOs could plausibly have some nuclear propulsion component, perhaps controlled explosions which incidentally interfere with electrical circuits under certain conditions. (Another conceivable explanation for the E-M effects observed in the presence of UFOs is that some atomic device or weapon on board is used deliberately and selectively, as a test or for other purposes. However, this is purely speculative).

The fact remains that is is not necessary to postulate a "mysterious force" in some mystical sense to account for the observed effects. An atomic device capable of producing the observed effects is now technologically feasible. Even if this were not the case, it is false logic for a scientist to deny observations on the grounds that we cannot fully explain the mechanism involved in E-M effects. Taken in association with the other accumulated evidence about UFOs, the fact that we do have difficulty explaining the E-M effects could also mean that we are dealing with a superior technology about which we know very little.
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RADAR UFO SIGHTINGS

Unidentified targets have been detected by radar on numerous occasions. Air Force radar-scope photographs of UFOs are classified (see box), but the facts of many radar observations have been published. The question is, what causes the unexplained "blips" on the scope? On the whole, theorists have tended to attribute all such reports to the vagaries of radar. This view is challenged here.

NICAP's position is that the radar-UFO reports, after all, were made largely by experienced radar operators who were convinced they had tracked something solid and unexplained. The conflict amounts to data versus theory, with most theorists all too prone to assume that radar operators are incompetent.

It is a well-known fact that false (or misleading) images can appear on radar scopes. However, if these could not be distinguished from the blips of solid targets, radar would be a use less instrument. Also, lights and objects have been observed visually in the positions where radar indicated the presence of unexplained objects. The theorists' ad hoc arguments to account for this aspect of the reports leave much to be desired.

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Official Speed Records: Aircraft
 
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