January 2015 / T214
GIMBAL infrared recording
US East Coast military operating area
Witness account
The Navy recording known as GIMBAL shows a bright infrared form whose image appears to rotate, accompanied by surprised aircrew conversation. It became one of the best-known videos in the December 2017 reporting about Pentagon interest in UFOs. DoD's original 2020 release places the recording in January 2015. An exact day, or a claim that this and GOFAST record the same object or sortie, requires additional documentation.
Public record
The short, publicly available Navy video is genuine footage, but it does not show a sharply resolved vehicle. Analysts have debated whether the changing outline and rotation are properties of the object or arise from infrared glare and the camera's gimbal and image-stabilization system. Original open analyses reproduce proposed optical mechanisms.