DOW-UAP-D163, Air Intelligence Information Report, Sweden, 1953

Department of War · 12/17/53 · Sweden · Document

DOW-UAP-D163, Air Intelligence Information Report, Sweden, 1953 is indexed as a Department of War record with incident date 12/17/53 and location Sweden. This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report (AIIR), a standardized U.S. Air Force reporting form used to record raw information of potential intelligence value for later analysis. The form served as a primary vehicle for U.S. Air Force field intelligence collection throughout the early Cold War, until defense-wide reporting standards were established in the early 1960s. This AIIR records a December 17, 1953, incident near H ssleholm, Sweden, translated from a local media report. At 1437 hours, Transair chief pilot Captain Ulf Christiernsson and crew chief Olle Johansson reported observing an object approaching their DC-3 from the opposite direction, approximately 600 meters (1,969 feet) below their aircraft, which was flying at about 2,150 meters (7,054 feet). The aircrew described a shining metal spherical elliptical object and estimated its speed as approximately the speed of sound. Christiernsson described the object as strongly metallic, nearly round, and slightly elliptical. He reported that it remained visible for six to seven seconds, produced no visible exhaust or condensation trail, and initially appeared to him to be a jet or possibly an unmanned robot. The Swedish Defense Staff reportedly identified no Swedish aircraft in the area at that time and stated that it would examine possible radar observations. The report also includes a brief character sketch of Christiernsson based on the account of a personal contact, who characterized him as most untrustworthy, and notes that Swedish authorities had begun an investigation into the incident. All descriptive and estimative language contained in this report reflects the reporter s subjective interpretation at the time of the event. Such characterizations should not be interpreted as a conclusive indication of the presence or absence of any intrinsic object features or performance characteristics. AARO Comment: Based on the reported aircraft altitude and relative separation, the object s reported altitude was approximately 1,550 meters (5,085 feet). Under standard atmospheric conditions, the speed of sound at that altitude is approximately 748 mph.

Notable / anomalous element

• The object was observed for six to seven seconds. (native PDF text, page 2)
• The object was proceeding just above the clouds. "The first silhouette I got diagonally from the right was narrow. (native PDF text, page 2)
• A shining metal spherical elliptical object came toward them traveling in the opposite direction from their machine at an estimated speed of sound and approximately 600 meters below their DC-3, which was on its way from Bulltofta to Bromma. (native PDF text, page 2)
• Because of the low lying cloud for mations the object is not thought to have been seen from the ground. (native PDF text, page 2)

Details

• Sweden AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT SUBJECT nny1ng Saucertt Sighted By S1red1sh Pilot AREA REPORTED ON FROM (..49 CV) I SWeden OAirA, Stockholm, Sweden DATE OF REPORT DATE OF INFORMATION l I:A:ATION 13 January 1954 December 53 January 54.o-c. (native PDF text, page 1)
• PREPARED BY (Office,) SOURCE BURT R()VEN Ma or USAF MC IPress and P rsonal Contact REFERENCES (Cbnt:ro nu1nbn, dir i", prni011..J rtport, dt, a, applicabl) BAm 3A SUMMARY: (Ellter omcise mmar11 of report. (native PDF text, page 1)
• B<glntat ofreport 011 AF Form JJI-Part II.) This report f'o:rwards information on the "unknown'' object sighted on 17 December 1953 by Captain Ulf Christiernsson, near HItassleholm, Sweden. (native PDF text, page 1)
• Included is a translation of captain Chr1st1ernsson s description of the incident, as reported in an interview with the loca1 press. (native PDF text, page 1)
• There is also a brief character sketch of cap in Christiernsson. (native PDF text, page 1)
• Stockholm note: this document contains information affecting the national defense of the united states within the meaning of the espionage act. (native PDF text, page 1)
• Unciassified af form 112-part ii. (classification) approved 1 june 1948 r 'air intelligence information report from (agencu) report no. (native PDF text, page 2)
• On Thursday, 17 December 1953, while flying near HHssleholm, SWeden, Captain Ulf Christiernsson sighted an 11 unknown" object. (native PDF text, page 2)

Tags: War Department, Sweden, Air Force, AARO, Aircraft, Radar, USAF