Pantex Unidentified Object Incident Report, 2015

Office 806.477.3918 Fax 806.477.5690 ~SEP ,0 92015 Deputy Assistant Manager ·­ for Safeguards & Security NNSA Production Office Post Office Box 2050 Oak Ridge. Tennessee 37831-8009 Dear- : Pantex Unidentified Object Report Enclosed for your review is the complete report for the Pantex Unidentified Object that occurred on September 2, 2015. If you have any questions a concerns, please contact me at or at - . Sincerely yours, . , tex Pantex SS&ES Operations GDW:~v Endosure: As stated c/enc: Document transmitted herewith contains UCNI. When separated from attachments. hand le this doct.ment as Unclassified. lNCI.ASSUU:I) (:O!\'TROI.U:ll ~l CLF.AR INFOR~l\TIO~ SOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE Unaithonad disscmu,a1KIi subj«t to civil and cnm■ tal sancuons under :.a:li11n 148 of the: A10m1c Energy Act of 19S4. a.s amended (42 USC 2163) Hev1ewiniOfficiat ­ oatc: September 8, 201 s liuidancc Used· Cu-SS-4, Sept 2000.Chg, 7 HO 0C SS&ES-1 5-15095144230-SS&ES Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information ParrrEX/ UCNI Pantex Unidentified Object Incident Report Septembe.- 2, 2015 Pantex Plant Amarillo, TX 79120-0020 UNCLASSIFIED CONTROLLED NUCLEAR INFORNMATION NOT FO'R PUSLIC RELEASE Unauthorized dlssemlncttlon subject t<> clvll and criminal ~nctions under Section 148 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (42 US.C 2168} Reviewing Official: PT>! VA oate: 9.L212Q1s Guidance Used: CG-SS-4. 9/2000 Chg. 7. 0OE OC UCNI Pal1TEX/ UCNT M lfli90(t - 0,,.r•""'1 •1>' Con>06dat•<I Nucl•• s«i ,nty. llC Pantex Unidentified Object Incident Report On September 1, 2015 at approximately 0710 hours, the Pantex Ground Surveillance Radar (GSR) detection system identified an unknown object flying in a non-threatening manner west of Pantex facilities in a northerly trajectory. The Protective Force (PF) responded in accordance with the NPO approved ~curity Incident Response to Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS} plan. The object was initially identified just north of Highway 60 and was traveling in a northerly trajectory approximately 10-lSmph. PF personnel were alerted to the object and subsequently dispatched to follow it in an effort to obtain as much information about the object as possible. PF personnel on the ground confirmed the presence ofthe object and maintained observation via PF vehicle. PF personnel followed the object for several miles north of the plant until it was no longer visible. All plant pedestrian and vehicle gates leading into and out of security areas were immediately secured upon identification of an unknown object by the GSR. Furthermore, PF patrols moved to a position to ensure the protection of assets. A subsequent comprehensive review of the incident was immediately initiated. The following text describes actlons taken by Central Alarm Station (CAS) and Secondary Alarm Station (SAS) GSR operators, PF officers and Security Police Officers (SPOs) during the event. At approximately 0708 hours, the an object approximately 1.75 miles SW of Z-12 South traveling at 10-15 mph (see map below titled, Ground Surveillance Radar Tracks). Several other radar hits were received as the object traversed to the NNW. to attempt to locate the object and report its position and direction of travel. A PF lieutenant (Lt.) and SPO in the area spotted the object and followed it as it traveled north. The Lt. and SPO attempted to intercept the object as it traveled over Pantex Drive in an attempt to view the object directly from below. Although they were unable to catch up to the object, they stopped their vehicle and got out. Once outside, they noted that the object did not make any sound. Furthermore, the Lt. and SPO stated that they were unable to identify any type of propulsion system on the object while using binocuJars to assess the object. After viewing it for 1-2 minutes, the object then continued north offsite. The Lt. and SPO then followed the object for several miles north of Pantex before they lost the object due to lack of roadway access. The location where the object was last seen was near County Road G and F.M. 1342. The Carson County Sherriff's office was notified when the object began to tr.averse off-site and requested to respond to the area and assist in locating the object. A Sherriff's Deputy met the Lt. and SPO at the point where the object was last 'Seen. The Deputy stated that he did not see the object but would perform a search in the area for anything unusual. It was noted that the object seemed to increase in speed and changed direction as it was being followed. The last known direct of the object was that it was heading in an ENE direction. The Lt. and SPO were debriefed upon their return to the UCNI Page 2 of 6 UCNI PanrEX ~•ndO!,.,•tedbr (Gn$Olod~ltd N\lCln• S,w.,ty UC Pantex Unidentified Object Incident Report plant. Their perspective of the object was that it was a "diamond" type shape with it being more round at the top. Security Police Officers in a Bearcat with a Common Remotely Operated Weapon System (CROWS) unit were also able to locate and track the object via CROWS camera as it traversed the plant. The SPOs stated that it was 100-200 ft. above the ground and they were able to track the object for 3-5 minutes. The SPOs location was approximately 75-100 meters from the object. Other PF personnel that observed the object, including a SPO that was viewing the object through binoculars described it as being approximately 4 ft. tall and 2 ft. wide at the bottom. The object was also described as being thinner at the top. However, there were some discrepancies in the color of the object. Some personnel stated that it was black in color while others noted that it appeared to be silver, red and blue. Video was obtained from the GSR tower that was closest to the object and subsequently sent to Sandia National labs for further study (see image below titled, Image from Ground Surveillance Radar Tower). The video does not provide much detail of the object due to the distance of the object to the GSR tower. It should be noted that at no time did the object appear to be threatening in nature nor did it come to close proximity to any sensitive assets. The object remained over open unpopulated areas ofthe plant priorto it proceeding offsite. All evidence ofthe incident {i.e. statements, video, etc.) were turned over to FBI agent UCNl Page 3 of6 UCN! ParrrEX/ '-"·""'a-'•1.-IC,,..>..cll'!> CO'IIOldm cl tl\.Cful S-1) UC Pantex Unidentified Object Incident Report Ground Surveillance Radar Tracks UCNI Page 4 of 6 UCNI M~~•.S --l:jl C........11<1 N.ti.... S"""11 J. UC Pantex Unidentified Object Incident Report Image from Ground Surveillance Radar Tower 0 UCNI Pages of 6 Pam-EX UCNI ~ and Op.,1.,d bf Consow!ttd N~ 5«u,lty l lC Pantex Unidentified Object Incident Report Sandia National Labs Enhanced Images of the Object UCNI Page6 of 6