Shape-changing radar returns in Morocco
On 16 December 1953 the TPS-1D radar of Detachment 2, 737th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, in French Morocco, showed between 1 and 12 returns in a straight line at azimuth 25, 20 to 40 miles out. They changed between V, W and M shapes, stayed nearly stationary for several minutes and then faded. Division electronics staff suggested anomalous propagation, jamming from a ship, or geese and storks; the site's own radar maintenance "offered no possible cause". Natural cause proposed, not demonstrated.
How plausible · High
A military radar recorded a line of returns changing formation; staff at division level listed possibilities, but the site's own technicians found no cause.
- ●●Access The site's own radar.
- ●●No gain sought Routine report.
- ●●Restraint Site staff offered no cause rather than a guess.
- ●●Checkable details check out DOW-UAP-D160 is released.
- ●○Consistent over time Clear technical description.
- ●○Character record Radar operators and maintenance staff.
Plausibility weighs how well an account fits where secrecy hides the documents by design, so missing records never count against it. Strength measures what is documented. Assessed 2026-10-24.
On the record
- Report DI-1-53, 3 pp.
- 1-12 returns in a line, shapes V, W, M, nearly stationary, several minutes.
- Possibilities listed by division; none tested.
- Site: "offered no possible cause".