The fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act includes a new requirement for the Pentagon to brief lawmakers on UAP intercept operations conducted over North America since 2004, reflecting growing Congressional concern about unexplained incursions near sensitive military sites.
What the NDAA Requires
The conferenced version of the FY2026 NDAA directs the Pentagon to provide detailed briefings to Congressional oversight committees on operations involving any UAP intercepts conducted by the integrated military commands responsible for defending North American airspace — primarily NORAD and U.S. Northern Command.
The briefings must cover encounters dating back to 2004, a date that notably coincides with the famous USS Nimitz "Tic Tac" encounter off the coast of San Diego.
Why Now
The requirement comes as NORAD and U.S. Northern Command confront what officials describe as a concerning increase in reports of unexplained drone and UAP incursions, particularly near sensitive military installations and critical infrastructure sites.
The late 2024 New Jersey drone scare, which involved hundreds of unexplained sightings over military bases and nuclear facilities, intensified Congressional interest in understanding what exactly is operating in restricted airspace.
AARO's Current Status
Meanwhile, the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office has, as multiple sources describe it, "gone quiet" in terms of its ongoing activities and latest findings. AARO's director Jon Kosloski had confirmed the deployment of the "Gremlin" prototype sensor system at a national security site, but updates on its findings have not been publicly released.
Of the 1,652 total UAP reports AARO has received, the office has only resolved a fraction. Director Kosloski acknowledged in 2024 that a number of cases "had not yet been plausibly explained."
Pentagon Briefing Requirements
The new NDAA provision represents a shift from voluntary transparency to mandatory reporting. Previous Congressional requests for information on UAP intercepts were often met with delays or incomplete responses. By embedding the requirement in the defense authorization bill, lawmakers have created a legal obligation for the Pentagon to provide the requested information.
Broader Context
The NDAA provision passed even as the more ambitious UAP Disclosure Act (UAPDA) was excluded from the same bill. This suggests that while Congress could not muster support for comprehensive disclosure legislation, there is bipartisan agreement that lawmakers need better information about what military commands are encountering in North American airspace.