The Senate Armed Services Committee’s draft of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes three provisions impacting the Pentagon’s UAP (unidentified anomalous phenomena) investigations. These would require briefings on UAP intercepts by NORAD and U.S. Northern Command (Sec. 1555), a consolidated UAP classification guide (Sec. 1556), and streamlined reporting for the Pentagon’s All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) (Sec. 1561). Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Christopher Mellon called the provisions a “welcome step” but stressed, “More can — and should — always be done.” He criticized NORAD’s failure to share UAP data with AARO promptly, noting, “By the time AARO learns of these intercepts — if it does at all — NORAD’s critical sensor data is often no longer available.” Mellon also raised concerns about a proposed change allowing UAP data to be withheld from AARO for “protecting intelligence sources,” arguing it could limit transparency. The bill also requires AARO to declassify some UAP records. Mellon pointed out that since 2017, the Pentagon has suppressed UAP footage, stating, “That was wrong, and it’s past time for the current draconian classification guide to change.” However, he warned AARO could still withhold many records and urged Congress to mandate routine public releases. Retired Navy Rear Adm. Timothy Gallaudet, who has advocated for UAP transparency, supports the provisions but believes they fall short of the broader UAP Disclosure Act (UAPDA), which seeks deeper oversight. “These UAP provisions are all good individually, but the bigger picture is that they dilute, distract, and compete with the authorities… of the UAPDA,” he said. Mellon’s UAP Disclosure Fund also backs the UAPDA, hoping it will be added to the NDAA later. Mellon emphasized that more transparency could create a “virtuous cycle” where “more information leads to greater understanding of, and interest in, UAP, impelling further legislation.”The post Pentagon’s UFO Office Faces New Oversight in 2026 Defense Bill first appeared on Anomalien.com.