# Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP)
## Overview
AATIP was a classified Department of Defense program that investigated Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP). Initially established in 2007, the program was officially acknowledged in 2017 following media reports. AATIP emerged from elements of [[🏛️ AAWSAP]] and focused specifically on advanced aerospace threats and UAP investigation.
## Basic Information
- **Type**: Government Program
- **Status**: Officially ended in 2012 (continued unofficially until 2017)
- **Parent Organization**: Defense Intelligence Agency/Pentagon
- **Location**: Pentagon, Washington D.C.
- **Years Active**: 2007-2012 (officially), 2012-2017 (unofficially)
- **Budget**: $22 million (shared with [[🏛️ AAWSAP]])
- **Classification**: Initially Secret/Special Access Program
## Key Personnel
### Leadership
- [[👤 Luis Elizondo]] - Program Director (2010-2017)
- [[👤 James T. Lacatski]] - Program Manager
- Multiple classified personnel
### Notable Contributors
- [[👤 Harold E. Puthoff]] - Scientific Advisor
- [[👤 Eric W. Davis]] - Technical Consultant
- [[👤 Christopher K. Mellon]]] - DoD Support
- Multiple scientific researchers
## History
### Formation (2007)
- Initiated under DIA
- Senator Harry Reid's support
- Connection to [[🏛️ AAWSAP]]
- Initial funding secured
### Operational Period
1. **Official Phase (2007-2012)**
- Full government funding
- Active investigations
- Technical research
- Data collection
2. **Unofficial Phase (2012-2017)**
- Continued operations
- Limited resources
- Ongoing investigations
- Data analysis
### Public Disclosure (2017)
- [[🎬 2017 New York Times UAP Article]]
- Program acknowledgment
- Media coverage
- Public awareness
## Activities and Research
### Primary Focus Areas
1. **Technical Analysis**
- Flight characteristics
- Propulsion systems
- Material science
- Energy systems
- [[🔭 Trans-Medium Travel Capabilities]]
2. **Incident Investigation**
- Military encounters
- Sensor data
- Witness reports
- Pattern analysis
### Major Cases
1. **[[📜 USS Nimitz Incident]]**
- Comprehensive investigation
- Multiple witnesses
- Sensor data
- Video evidence
2. **[[📜 Roosevelt Incidents]]**
- Extended observation
- Multiple encounters
- Technical analysis
- Pattern recognition
## Scientific Research
### Technical Studies
- Advanced propulsion
- Material properties
- Energy systems
- Sensor capabilities
- Flight characteristics
### Documentation
- Technical reports
- Scientific analyses
- Incident investigations
- Research papers
- Briefing materials
## Significant Findings
### Technical Analysis
- Advanced capabilities observed
- Unusual flight characteristics
- Unknown propulsion methods
- Material properties
- Energy signatures
### Pattern Recognition
- Incident clusters
- Behavioral patterns
- Geographic distribution
- Technical capabilities
- Environmental factors
## Legacy and Impact
### Government Response
- Increased awareness
- Program evolution
- [[🏛️ UAPTF]] creation
- [[🏛️ AARO]] establishment
- Congressional interest
### Public Disclosure
- Media coverage
- Public awareness
- Scientific interest
- Policy changes
- Reporting procedures
## Related Programs
- [[🏛️ AAWSAP]] (Concurrent program)
- [[🏛️ AARO]] (Successor program)
- [[🏛️ UAPTF]] (Intermediate program)
## Documentation
### Official Documents
- Technical reports
- Program materials
- Investigation files
- Analysis papers
- Briefing documents
### Media Coverage
- [[🎬 2017 New York Times UAP Article]]
- Multiple news investigations
- Documentary features
- Public statements
## Current Status
### Legacy
- Influenced current programs
- Methodology adoption
- Technical baseline
- Investigation standards
- Research protocols
### Information Access
- Some declassification
- FOIA releases
- Media coverage
- Congressional oversight
- Public disclosure
## Notes
- Pivotal in UAP investigation
- Scientific methodology
- Technical focus
- Military connection
- Public impact
- Program evolution
- Ongoing influence
- Historical significance
## Related Research
- [[🔭 UAP Phenomenon]]
- [[🔭 Trans-Medium Travel Capabilities]]
- [[🔭 Crash Retrieval Programs]]