Air Force Expert: Trump Could Release Recovered UAP Craft Photos in 2026

A former Air Force nuclear specialist and national security expert, Gene Sticco, has suggested a major shift in Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) policy. Sticco claims former President Donald Trump may become the UAP "disclosure" president. This action could lead to the release of photos of a recovered craft as soon as 2026.

Sticco, co-author of Engineering Infinity, believes disclosure would be politically motivated. He expects a Presidential Commission to set the stage for a formal speech. This would not be full disclosure but would confirm the reality of UAPs. He suggested the public might see "non-blurry photos" or analysis of "biological materials."

UAP and Aviation Safety

These claims directly intersect with commercial aviation safety concerns. UAP, the modern term for UFOs, is a recognized aerospace safety concern. The U.S. Defense Department officially states this. The phenomenon is not confined to military airspace. Commercial pilots are reporting a growing number of UAP sightings.

Reports show UAP incidents are increasing. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) documented 510 UAP sightings in 2022. The ODNI concluded that UAP remains a "hazard to flight safety." One notable case involved a "near miss" with a commercial aircraft. This incident occurred near New York.

Regulatory Response and Pilot Reporting

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) currently receives many reports. The agency gets over 100 monthly reports of unmanned aircraft sightings. These often occur near airports and airplanes. However, a formal UAP reporting system for civilian pilots is still developing.

Members of the US Congress are pushing for new legislation. The Safe Airspace for Americans Act is a bipartisan effort. This bill would require the FAA to create new FAA UAP reporting procedures. This is meant to protect commercial pilots. They would be able to report sightings without fear of losing their medical licenses. This is a critical step for aviation risk management.

Industry Impact and Airspace Management

Official confirmation of advanced, unknown aerial technology would impact aerospace manufacturers. Companies like Boeing would face new research and development challenges. The disclosure could force a reassessment of current air traffic control protocols. Global bodies like the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) would need to create new standards. These new standards would govern the shared US airspace incidents and global flight paths.

Aviation industry stakeholders must prepare for this potential reality. New pilot training on UAP identification would become necessary. Insurance markets could also be affected by a new, unpredictable risk factor. This is a significant development for commercial aviation news globally. [https://flying.flights]

Sticco's suggestion involves a political strategy. He advises framing disclosure as a bipartisan concern. This approach would use a non-partisan commission of experts. The commission would include those in intelligence, aviation, and defense. This method could help avoid public "mockery and criticism." Their report would define what is releasable. This process would also identify national security issues. The goal is to settle the debate. This would allow institutions to normalize this "new reality."