READ: Mystery UFO Hits U.S. Fighter Jet Over Arizona Airspace
An unidentified flying object collided with a U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper fighter jet during a training mission over Arizona in January 2023, according to newly uncovered federal records. The impact damaged the jet’s canopy — the transparent dome over the pilot’s head — and temporarily grounded the $63 million aircraft.
The object, described in official FAA documents as an “orange-white uncrewed aerial system” (UAS), is part of a broader and ongoing pattern of unexplained aerial activity near U.S. military installations. Often grouped in clusters of up to eight, these small objects have been spotted over high-security air combat training areas in Arizona since at least 2020.
Just one day after the canopy strike, three more UAS encounters were reported in the same region, suggesting the presence of a coordinated or persistent aerial presence. These incidents raise serious concerns about airspace security, especially near the U.S.-Mexico border.
Former Pentagon investigator Luis Elizondo acknowledged a sharp increase in reports from Arizona, stating that the border area has become a hotspot for unexplained aerial sightings. The FAA confirmed it routinely documents pilot reports of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) and forwards credible cases, supported by radar or additional data, to the Department of Defense’s All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO).
Between May 2023 and June 2024, the government collected 757 reports of UAPs, with 708 occurring in the air. Only 49 cases have been officially closed, reflecting both the volume and complexity of these encounters.
Though labeled as drones in some reports, the origins and capabilities of the objects remain uncertain. Some officials believe they could be linked to foreign drug cartels, which are known to employ drones for surveillance and smuggling operations. These cartels reportedly use high-tech drones capable of transporting up to 10 kilograms of narcotics per flight, often evading radar detection.
Ron Vitiello, a senior adviser for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, speculates that cartel funding may be fueling advancements in drone technology that rival military-grade systems. “They’re innovating constantly,” Vitiello said. “This could be new tech we haven’t encountered in this space before.”
While explanations range from cartel operations to foreign surveillance, the consistency and location of the sightings — especially in restricted military zones — have drawn the attention of defense and intelligence agencies. Whether conventional drones or something more advanced, these swarms of mysterious aerial objects continue to challenge U.S. airspace safety and national security policy.
