UFO Retrieval or Elaborate Hoax? MUFON Experts Weigh In

A recently surfaced video has ignited debate in the UFO research community, purporting to show a helicopter transporting an unidentified egg-shaped craft. The footage, which was featured in a News Nation special alongside whistleblower Jacob Barber, is said to depict a covert retrieval operation. However, as compelling as the claim may be, a team of top MUFON investigators has scrutinized the footage—and their conclusions may surprise you.

The Alleged UFO Retrieval Video

The video in question is a short, night-vision clip showing a helicopter seemingly hoisting an oval-shaped object, reportedly measuring approximately 20 feet in length and 8 to 9 feet in width. The lack of metadata and source details has raised suspicions, making it difficult to verify the authenticity of the footage. Despite these challenges, MUFON’s forensic video experts—including Bob Spearing, Marc D’Antonio, Sam Marento, Seth Feinstein, Greg Cisko, and David Toon—have put their expertise to the test.

Expert Analysis: Skepticism Dominates

Marc D’Antonio, an astronomer and video analyst, expressed immediate doubts about the footage’s legitimacy. He pointed out inconsistencies with the lighting and shadows, suggesting that the video may have been artificially manipulated to appear as night vision. Additionally, he highlighted the lack of surrounding vehicles or personnel—an anomaly if the event were a classified military operation. His conclusion? A 98% likelihood of a hoax.

Seth Feinstein, a film production expert and forensic analyst, was equally skeptical. He noted the absence of strobing aviation lights and questioned why the object did not create any visible ground disturbance when it was placed down. According to Feinstein, the video strongly resembles a studio-created reenactment rather than authentic leaked military footage.

Sam Marento, a veteran field investigator, also had concerns but stopped short of calling the footage an outright hoax. He acknowledged that without proper metadata, confirming the video’s authenticity is nearly impossible. However, he emphasized the need for further analysis and corroboration.

A Different Perspective: Could It Be Real?

Greg Cisko, a seasoned MUFON investigator and astrophotographer, took a slightly different stance. While acknowledging the video’s flaws, he compared the skepticism surrounding it to early reactions to the USS Nimitz Tic-Tac UFO footage, which was later confirmed as legitimate. He also pointed out that the dimensions of the object closely match those of a quail’s egg—whether that’s coincidence or evidence of trickery remains an open question.

David Toon’s Military Analysis: A Fatal Flaw?

David Toon, a 22-year Army veteran with expertise in military intelligence and aviation, conducted a technical breakdown of the video.

His analysis revealed major inconsistencies in how the helicopter and cargo behave in the footage.

• Rotor Wash Missing: Any real cargo helicopter, such as a CH-47 or Black Hawk, would create a significant downwash effect, disturbing the ground beneath. Yet, the alleged “egg” and surrounding terrain remain undisturbed.
• Cable Dynamics Are Off: The sling load system in the video remains oddly stable, despite the significant movement that would be expected under a real helicopter. According to Toon, real-world loads experience visible rocking and tension adjustments, none of which are seen in the footage.
• Audio Issues: The sound of helicopter blades is present, but other essential noises—such as the intense wind noise from rotor turbulence—are absent. Toon suggests the audio was artificially added.
• Improper Load Handling: The egg appears to detach and roll without standard load-release procedures, which are critical in real-life military recovery operations.

Toon concludes with high confidence that the video does not depict an authentic helicopter recovery operation and is instead a staged attempt at recreating such an event.

Final Verdict: Too Many Unknowns

Despite differing opinions, the prevailing sentiment among the MUFON team is that the video does not provide enough verifiable evidence to confirm its authenticity. Whether it’s a deliberate hoax or a dramatized recreation of a real event remains to be seen.

But what do you think? Watch the full MUFON analysis and decide for yourself. Could this be leaked footage of a classified operation, or is it simply another case of viral misinformation? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!