Project Sign, Project Grudge, and Project Blue Book – Air Force UFO Research Programs (1947-1969)

Background

Project Sign was an official U.S. government study of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) undertaken by the United States Air Force (USAF) and active for most of 1948. It was the precursor to Project Grudge.

Project Grudge was a short-lived project by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) to investigate unidentified flying objects (UFOs). Grudge succeeded Project Sign in February, 1949, and was then followed by Project Blue Book. The project formally ended in December 1949, but continued in a minimal capacity until late 1951.

Project Blue Book was one of a series of systematic studies of Unidentified flying objects (UFOs) conducted by the United States Air Force (U.S.A.F.). Started in 1952, it was the second revival of such a study. A termination order was given for the study in December 1969, and all activity under its auspices ceased in January 1970.

Below you will find documents relating to these projects.

Air Force History’s Referencing UFOs in the Blue Book Era

History of the Directorate of Intelligence June 1 – December 31 1952 [13 Pages, 3MB]

History of the 5th Air Force, Daily Intel Summary, October 1952 [7 Pages, 1.7MB]

History of the 5th Air Force, Daily Intel Summary, August 1952 [7 Pages, 1.5MB]

Lessons Learned, Headquarters, 52d Combat Aviation Battalion, 22 September 1969 [54 Pages, 3MB] – It is unclear if this document is part of the Blue Book system. It does confirm, however, that towards the end of the Blue Book era, military installations were still seeing UFOs – some they were later able to identify – while others they were not.

The Condon Committee Report

The report contains the results of a scientific inquiry into the phenomena of Unidentified Flying Objects.

To download, click on the following link:

The Full Condon Committee Report on UFOs, 1968

Project Sign

Unidentified Aerial Objects Project “Sign” [55 Pages, 19.8MB] – This is the best copy available, which was obtained by the DTIC.

Project Grudge

Project Grudge Documents, Air Force Declassification Office [29 Pages, 3MB] – This release was declassified by the Air Force Declassification Office. Although now gone (broken link, as of 3/3/21) on their website, The Black Vault has them archived here.

Project Blue Book

 Project Blue Book Status Report Number 8, 31 December 1952 [17 Pages, 0.8MB] – This item can be found on microfilm roll number 85 of microfilm publication T1206. Project ‘Bluebook.’, 1947-1969.

 Appendix I to Project Blue Book Status Report Number 8 [1 Page, 0.8MB]

 Project Blue Book [43 Pages]

 Project Blue Book FBI File [13 Pages] – This small file relates to an Air Force program for the investigation of Unidentified Flying Objects. The Secretary of the Air Force discontinued this program in 1969.

 Project Blue Book Records, Air Force Missile Development Center, 1947-1970 [42 Pages, 5.18MB] – These documents were obtained from the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA).

 Review of the University of Colorado Report on Unidentified Flying Objects by a Panel of the National Academy of Sciences – The ad hoc committee concurs with the findings of the report of the University of Colorado entitled ‘Scientific Study of Unidentified Flying Objects,’ Dr. Edward U. Condon, Scientific Director. Panel agrees that a study of UFOs in general is not a promising way to expand scientific understanding of the phenomena, and adds: ‘On the basis of present knowledge the least likely explanation of UFOs is the hypothesis of extraterrestrial visitations by intelligent beings.’

 

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