Alien Compendium · UAP Craft

Triangular, Cylindrical and Military Encounter UAP Craft

Triangles and cylinders dominate recent reports. The black triangle became a staple of the 1980s and 1990s. The Tic Tac shape entered public view after Navy pilots described it in 2004. The Navy later confirmed that the Gimbal and GoFast clips are real Navy footage, though it has not said what the objects were.

This page ties each shape to the reports behind it. Where a case also appears in the declassified PURSUE files or in our case archive, follow the link to read the source record.

13 entries in 3 sections

Triangular & Angular Craft

Illustration of Black Triangle/Delta, a UAP craft type
2

Black Triangle/Delta

First documented1960s
LocationMultiple locations worldwide
Active period1960s–present

The Black Triangle phenomenon became prominent during the Belgian UFO Wave beginning November 29, 1989, when police officers observed a massive triangular craft hovering near treetop level in Eupen, Belgium. These craft are described as enormous (often football field-sized, 300+ feet wingspan), dark or black, with bright white lights at each corner and a central red or orange pulsating light. The flat underside sometimes shows subtle texture or panels. During the Belgian Wave, radar tracked objects changing speed from 240 km/h to over 1,800 km/h in seconds with no sonic boom.

Operational characteristics

Near-complete silenceExtremely slow hovering capabilityLow-altitude terrain-following flightSudden dramatic acceleration to hypersonic speedsNo visible propulsion or exhaust

Key sightings

Belgian UFO Wave (1989-1990) - 13,500 witness reports, F-16 jet scramblesPhoenix Lights (March 13, 1997)Illinois Triangle (2000)Hudson Valley 'Westchester Boomerang' (1982-1986)
Illustration of Boomerang/V-Shaped Craft, a UAP craft type
7

Boomerang/V-Shaped Craft

First documentedDecember 31, 1982
LocationKent Cliffs, New York, USA
Active period1982–present

Boomerang or V-shaped craft gained major attention during the Hudson Valley UFO Wave. Just before midnight on New Year's Eve 1982, residents reported a large, boomerang-shaped craft with multicolored lights moving slowly and silently. Over the following years, more than 5,000 witnesses—including police officers, pilots, and professionals—reported similar sightings. These craft are described as V-shaped, boomerang, or chevron configuration, enormous (larger than a football field), with rows of red, green, and white lights along the edges.

Operational characteristics

Near-complete silenceExtremely slow movementLow-altitude flightAbility to stop mid-airRapid acceleration with sharp turns

Key sightings

Hudson Valley Wave (1982-1986)Phoenix Lights (March 13, 1997) - V-shaped object estimated over a mile wide
Illustration of Chevron-Shaped Craft, a UAP craft type
17

Chevron-Shaped Craft

First documentedAugust 1965
LocationTeaneck, New Jersey, USA
Active period1965–present

The chevron-shaped UFO is characterized by a perfect angular V or arrowhead configuration, distinct from the curved boomerang shape. Witnesses describe a flattened craft with wide wingspan, often appearing as a dark gray or black object against the night sky. The shape resembles 'a very long jet' but with no fuselage, just the angular wing formation. Typically adorned with multiple lights arranged in a V formation along the leading edges. One 1965 witness calculated it crossed 40 degrees of sky in 1.5 seconds.

Operational characteristics

Extremely fast traversal speedsCompletely silent operationLow to medium altitude observationNo visible propulsion or exhaustLights may pulse or remain steady

Key sightings

August 1965: Teaneck, NJ - Observer spotted perfect chevron glowing dull orangeMarch 2024: Idaho Falls - Seven bright lights in V formationApril 2024: Navarre, Florida - Three military witnesses observed craft with 16 lights mimicking starlight
Illustration of Arrowhead/Delta Craft, a UAP craft type
18

Arrowhead/Delta Craft

First documented1960s
LocationMultiple locations - USA and Europe
Active period1960s–present

The arrowhead or delta-shaped craft is a variation of the triangle UFO but with more pronounced pointed front and swept-back trailing edges. Resembles the profile of a stealth bomber but often much larger. The St. Clair Triangle (2000) was described as 'two stories high and as long as a football field.' Typically dark/black in color with lights at vertices. Over 17,000 case files involving triangular/arrowhead craft have been documented by researcher David Marler.

Operational characteristics

Hovering capability with no apparent means of liftSilent or near-silent operationExtreme speed when departingOften observed at very low altitudesMultiple police radio recordings confirm coordinated sightings

Key sightings

1969: San Juan, Puerto Rico - National Guard pilots tailed 50-foot triangular object for 20 minutesJanuary 5, 2000: Highland/O'Fallon, Illinois (St. Clair Triangle) - Multiple police officers tracked craft1989-1992: Belgian UFO Wave - Belgian Air Force F-16s attempted intercept
Illustration of Flying Wing Craft, a UAP craft type
19

Flying Wing Craft

First documentedJune 24, 1947
LocationMount Rainier, Washington, USA
Active period1947–present

The flying wing configuration describes craft with no distinct fuselage—essentially all wing. Kenneth Arnold's original 1947 sighting described objects that were 'thin and flat' and sometimes 'practically invisible' when viewed edge-on. One of the nine objects he observed was crescent or heel-shaped, while others appeared more like boomerangs. These craft lack any visible tail, nose, or appendages. The Nazi Horten Ho 229 flying wing bomber has been suggested as a possible explanation for some early sightings.

Operational characteristics

Estimated speeds of 1,200-1,700 mph in 1947Movement described as 'like a saucer skipping on water'Erratic flipping and weaving motionBright flashes when banking or turningFormation flying capability

Key sightings

June 24, 1947: Kenneth Arnold's Mount Rainier sighting - nine objects, eight crescent-shaped

Elongated & Cylindrical Craft

Illustration of Tic Tac, a UAP craft type
3

Tic Tac

First documentedNovember 14, 2004
LocationOff San Diego coast, USA
Active period2004–present

The Tic Tac became the most famous UFO of the 21st century following its encounter with the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group. Key witnesses included Commander David Fravor, Lieutenant Commander Alex Dietrich, and radar operator Kevin Day. The craft was described as smooth, white, oblong (resembling a Tic Tac breath mint), approximately 40 feet long, with no wings, windows, rotors, exhaust, or visible propulsion. It demonstrated physics-defying capabilities: stationary hovering 50 feet above churning ocean water, instantaneous acceleration to hypersonic speeds, and 'cat and mouse' behavior anticipating Fravor's maneuvers.

Operational characteristics

Instantaneous acceleration to hypersonic speedsRadar data showing descent from 80,000 feet to sea level in less than a secondNo visible heat signatureTrans-medium capability with underwater disturbance beneath craftAnticipatory maneuvering behavior

Key sightings

November 14, 2004: USS Nimitz encounter - Pentagon confirmed footage authenticity April 2020, Congressional testimony July 2023
Illustration of Cigar/Cylinder/Mothership, a UAP craft type
4

Cigar/Cylinder/Mothership

First documented1896-1897
LocationAmerican Midwest (Mystery Airship wave)
Active period1896–present

Cigar-shaped UFOs predate the modern flying saucer era, with reports during the 1896-1897 'Mystery Airship' wave. George Adamski claimed to witness a large cigar-shaped 'mothership' in October 1946. In July 1948, commercial pilots Clarence Chiles and John Whitted reported a glowing, cigar-shaped object with two rows of windows flying alongside their Eastern Airlines DC-3 near Montgomery, Alabama. These craft are among the largest reported UFOs—estimates range from hundreds to thousands of feet. Often with rows of windows or portholes, bands of light, or glowing sections.

Operational characteristics

High-altitude travelGeneral silenceHorizontal movement or hoveringFrequently associated with smaller craft entering or exiting (hence 'mothership' designation)

Key sightings

Chiles-Whitted encounter (1948)Mount Kilimanjaro sighting (1951)Yukon Territory, Canada (1967)
Illustration of Blimp/Dirigible Shape, a UAP craft type
29

Blimp/Dirigible Shape (Modern)

First documented1896-1897
LocationCalifornia, spreading eastward across USA
Active period1896–present

The 1896-1897 Mystery Airship wave represents one of the earliest documented mass UFO sighting events. Mystery airships were typically described as large, elongated craft similar to cigar shapes but with more defined structure—sometimes with visible gondolas, propellers, or lights. Some accounts included sightings of occupants and even claims of conversations with 'pilots.' The Pentagon has confirmed photographs of objects described as 'metallic blimp' in recent years.

Operational characteristics

Structured airborne vehicles with capabilities beyond technology of eraSometimes visible gondolas or propellersModern variants lack conventional propulsion

Key sightings

November 1896-April 1897: Hundreds of reports across USAApril 19, 1897: Aurora, Texas alleged crash (widely considered hoax)Modern: Pentagon confirmed 'metallic blimp' photographs

Military & Modern Encounters

Illustration of Gimbal UAP, a UAP craft type
41

Gimbal UAP

First documentedJanuary 2015
LocationEast Coast, USA
Active period2015–present

Named for the famous 2015 Navy FLIR footage, the Gimbal UAP appears as a dark, rotating object without visible means of propulsion. The footage shows the object rotating against the wind at altitude. The name comes from a pilot's exclamation. This craft type demonstrates unconventional flight characteristics including rotation independent of flight direction.

Operational characteristics

Rotating motionNo visible propulsionMaintains altitude without wingsDark/black appearanceInfrared signature differs from conventional aircraft

Key sightings

January 2015: Navy F/A-18 FLIR footagePart of Roosevelt carrier group encounters 2014-2015
Illustration of GoFast UAP, a UAP craft type
42

GoFast UAP

First documented2015
LocationEast Coast, USA
Active period2015–present

Another named Pentagon release, the GoFast UAP shows a small, apparently featureless object traveling at high speed close to the ocean surface. The object shows no thermal exhaust and maintains consistent altitude. Analysis suggests the object is smaller than typical aircraft - possibly 6 feet or less in diameter.

Operational characteristics

Small size (approximately 6 feet)No thermal exhaustHigh-speed, low-altitude flightFeatureless appearanceSkimming above water surface

Key sightings

2015: Navy FLIR footage over Atlantic
Illustration of Swarming UAP, a UAP craft type
43

Swarming UAP

First documented2019
LocationPacific Ocean, near USS ships
Active period2019–present

Multiple UAPs operating in coordinated groups around Navy vessels. The USS Kidd and other ships encountered up to 14 objects flying in formation at night over multiple nights in 2019. The swarms demonstrated coordinated behavior, maintained formation for hours, and could not be identified. Some witnesses described pyramid or triangular shapes.

Operational characteristics

Multiple coordinated objectsSustained operation (hours)Formation flyingAppeared nightly over multiple nightsEvaded countermeasures

Key sightings

July 2019: USS Kidd and other vessels - multiple nights of UAP swarmsUSS Russell pyramid UAP footage
Illustration of Stealth/Dark Triangle, a UAP craft type
44

Stealth/Dark Triangle (Modern)

First documented2000s
LocationGlobal
Active period2000s–present

Modern black triangle sightings have increased in detail due to night vision and thermal imaging. These contemporary encounters describe craft larger than known military aircraft, with silent operation, and capabilities exceeding current technology. Some investigators believe these represent either advanced human technology or a distinct phenomenon from earlier triangle waves.

Operational characteristics

Massive size (hundreds of feet)Complete silenceSlow hovering capabilitySudden accelerationAnti-gravity appearance

Key sightings

Ongoing military pilot encountersCivilian night vision captures2020s increase in triangle reports
Illustration of Pyramid UAP, a UAP craft type
45

Pyramid UAP

First documented2019
LocationPacific Ocean, near USS Russell
Active period2019–present

Triangular or pyramid-shaped objects filmed using night vision from the USS Russell in 2019. The footage shows what appears to be a three-dimensional triangular craft with blinking lights. Debate continues about whether the pyramidal appearance is an optical artifact or representative of actual craft shape. Multiple objects were observed.

Operational characteristics

Three-dimensional triangular formBlinking lightsNight operationMultiple objects presentObserved over Navy vessel

Key sightings

July 2019: USS Russell night vision footage released by Pentagon