U.S. Government Confirms Multiple Drone Incursions Over Pantex Nuclear Facility; Newly Released Documents Reveal Previously Unreported Security Events

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released a series of previously undisclosed documents confirming multiple drone incursions over the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas—a facility that plays a critical role in the nation’s nuclear weapons program. The records, released as part of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed by The Black Vault on January 16, 2024, reveal significant security concerns dating back at least two years, including incidents in 2022 and 2023 that were not previously made public.

The FOIA request sought all records, including photos, videos, reports, and internal communications related to Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP), Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), or Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) over Pantex. It also specifically requested any communications between Pantex and the U.S. government’s UAP Task Force (UAPTF) or the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO).

The Pantex Field Office, along with its Management and Operating (M&O) contractor PanTeXas Deterrence, LLC, identified seven responsive records. Among them were internal reports that detailed two distinct drone incursions—one occurring in October 2022 and another in June 2023. Both incidents were classified as “Management Interest (AMI)” level security concerns.

September 2015 Encounter: The First Known Incident Over Pantex

The first publicly known aerial incursion over the Pantex Plant occurred on September 2, 2015. This event was further brought to light through reporting by journalist Dustin Slaughter, who published a redacted version of the incident report and a still image reportedly captured during the encounter. The image showed a dark object in the sky above the nuclear facility. While the document confirmed the incident had occurred, the version released to Slaughter was heavily redacted, limiting insight into the nature of the object or the government’s response.

The newly released FOIA records now offer significantly more detail, along with new documents from 2022 and 2023 that reveal similar aerial security concerns involving unidentified drones.

Unlike the 2015 document, which omitted some of the narrative under redactions, these newer reports contain detailed witness statements, object descriptions, altitude estimates, security actions taken, and timelines. They confirm that at least two additional incursions occurred in recent years—one in October 2022 and another in June 2023.

October 5, 2022 Incident: Black Quad-Copter Observed

According to the report labeled PX23-002, a Protective Force employee observed an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) entering Pantex property from the north around 10:00 a.m. The drone, described as black in color with four rotors and no distinguishing markings, was flying at approximately 120-150 feet above ground level.

Another officer confirmed the sighting and described the drone as a “quad copter style,” stating, “I looked to where he was pointing and observed what appeared to be a ‘quad’ copter style drone, black in color with no discernable markings. The drone was traveling from the north and headed in a south westerly direction directly overhead. It appeared to be 100–120 yards in altitude. I lost sight of the object after approximately 30 seconds.”

Protective Force personnel immediately alerted local law enforcement and initiated a search, but no operator or additional drone activity was found. The report concluded that there was no indication of unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information but categorized the incident as a formal security concern due to the drone’s presence over protected areas.

June 25, 2023 Incident: White Drone with Green Blinking Lights

A second report, PX23-122, detailed another drone encounter that occurred at approximately 6:43 a.m. on June 25, 2023. A white drone with green blinking lights was seen hovering over the Pantex Limited Area. Security personnel responded quickly by initiating UAS protocols and notifying local law enforcement, including the Carson County Sheriff’s Office.

One witness stated, “There was a white drone hovering over the track, it had a green blinking light underneath. It was headed in a northwest movement toward zone 4.”

Another added, “I spotted what looked like a white drone / plane. It was north of the plant. The clouds rushed in and the item was gone.”

Thick fog and low-hanging clouds at the time of the event limited visibility and hampered efforts to track or identify the drone. Although the object was not definitively identified, security protocols were followed, and the incident was again categorized as an AMI-level security concern.

These records offer a detailed official account to date of aerial incursions over the Pantex nuclear facility. They outline multiple instances of unauthorized drone activity, describe the responses initiated by security personnel, and highlight continued concerns about the protection of critical national infrastructure from aerial threats. While the documents do not establish any link to broader government investigations into UAP, they add to a growing collection of confirmed incidents involving unexplained aerial platforms above highly sensitive locations.

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