To the degree that the engineering characteristics of UFOs can be estimated
by empirical observation, in this reviewer’s opinion the above-referenced,
recently-published book by Paul Hill provides the most reliable, concise
summary of engineering-type data available.1
The data were compiled over decades of research by a Chief Scientist-Manager
at NASA Langley Research Center2 who acted
as an informal clearinghouse for UFO-related data. The strength of the compilation
lies in its thoughtful separation of wheat from chaff, and the analysis
of the former into coherent patterns, including detailed calculations. Perhaps
surprising to the casually interested, under careful examination the observations,
rather than defying the laws of physics as naive interpretation might suggest,
instead appear to be solidly commensurate with them, as the following discussion
shows.
One of the most consistently-observed characteristics of UFO flight is
a ubiquitous pattern in which they tilt to perform all maneuvers. Specifically,
they sit level to hover, tilt forward to move forward, tilt backward to
stop, bank to turn, and descend by "falling-leaf" or "silver-dollar-wobble"
motions. Detailed analysis by Hill shows that such motion is inconsistent
with aerodynamic requirements, but totally consistent with some form of
repulsive force-field propulsion. Not satisfied with paper analyses alone,
Hill arranged to have various forms of jet-supported and rotor-supported
circular flying platforms built and tested. Hill himself acted as test pilot
in early, originally-classified, versions, and found the above motions the
most economical for control purposes. Pictures of these platforms are included
in the text.
In an effort to examine the force-field propulsion hypothesis yet further,
Hill analyzed a number of cases involving near-field interactions with an
apparent craft in which some form of force was in evidence. These include
examples in which a person or vehicle was affected, tree branches were parted
or broken, roof tiles were dislodged, objects were deflected and ground
or water were disturbed. Under close analysis the subtleties of these interactions
combine to point unequivocally to a repulsive force field surrounding the
craft, while discriminating against propulsion mechanisms involving jet
action, pure electric or magnetic effects, or the emission of energetic
particles or radiation (although the latter may accompany the propulsive
mechanism as a secondary effect). Further detailed investigation indicates
that the particular form of force field propulsion that satisfied observational
constraints is what Hill labels a directed acceleration field; that is,
a field that is, in general, gravitational-like in nature, and, in particular,
gravity-canceling.3 Such a field acts on
all masses in its sphere of influence as does a gravitational field. Corollary
to this conclusion is that observed accelerations ~ 100 g’s relative to
the environment could be sustained without on-board high-g forces.
One of the consequences of the above identification of field propulsion
type by Hill is his conclusion, supported by detailed calculation, computer
simulation and wind-tunnel studies, that supersonic flight through the atmosphere
without sonic booms is easily engineered. Manipulation of the acceleration-type
force field would, even at supersonic speeds, result in a constant-pressure,
compression-free zone without shockwave in which the vehicle is surrounded
by a subsonic flow-pattern of streamlines, and subsonic velocity ratios.
An additional benefit of such field control is that drops of moisture, rain,
dust, insects, or other low-velocity objects would follow streamline paths
around the craft rather than impact it.
Another puzzle resolved by Hill’s analysis is that craft observed to travel
continuously at Mach 4 or 5 do not appear to generate temperatures sufficiently
high to be destructive to known materials. In other words, UFOs appear to
prevent high aerodynamic heating rates rather than permitting a heating
problem to arise, then surviving it with heat-resistant materials as is
the case of the Shuttle whose surface temperatures can reach 1300ºC. The
resolution of this potential problem is shown by Hill to derive from the
fact that the force-field control that results in the prevention of shockwave
drag as discussed above is also effective in preventing aerodynamic heating.
In effect the airflow approaches, then springs away from the craft, depositing
no energy in the process.
A further example of the type of correlation that emerges from Hill’s analytical
approach is provided by an analysis of the economy of various flight-path
profiles. It is shown that high-angle, high-acceleration departures on ballistic-arc
trajectories with high-speed coast segments are more efficient than, for
example, intermediate-level, horizontal-path trips, both in terms of required
impulse-per-unit-mass and time-of-flight parameters. This he correlates
with the observation that UFO departures are of the dramatically high-angle,
high-acceleration type.
Also of interest is Hill’s analysis of the spectra and intensity of an
apparent plasma sheath surrounding such craft, the details of which correlate
with what one would expect in terms of it being a secondary effect associated
with the propulsion system; for example, a blue shift and intensity increase
during a "power-up" phase, and the opposite during hover and landing maneuvers.
An additional fine point that emerges from this analysis is resolution of
the paradox that observation on a direct line-of-sight to a near part of
the craft can reveal a metallic-like structure while the attempt to observe
the outline of the craft, necessarily by an oblique line-of-sight, results
in an indistinct blur. Analysis shows this to be a reasonable outcome of
an expected re-absorption of reflected light by the surrounding plasma in
the longer-length path associated with the more oblique view.
Another typical nugget of information is found in Hill’s discussion of
the results of the analysis of a possible UFO artifact, the famous Ubatuba
magnesium fragments claimed to have originated from an exploded unidentified
craft near Ubatuba, Brazil. Laboratory analysis of the samples found the
magnesium to be not only of exceptional purity, and anomalous in its trace
composition of other elements, but 6.7% denser than ordinary pure magnesium,
a figure well beyond the experimental error of the measurement. Hill’s calculation
shows that this observation can be accounted for by assuming that the sample
contained only the pure isotope Mg-26, rather than the naturally-occurring
distribution among isotopes Mg-24, Mg-25, and Mg-26. Since the only isotope
separation on a significant scale in terrestrial manufacture is that of
uranium, such a result must be considered at least anomalous, and possibly
as evidence for extraterrestrial manufacture.
Additional calculations concerning the parameters of interstellar travel
(including relativistic effects), and the energetics of such travel, have
been performed and are included in tabular and graphical form. The wealth
of material in these sections, along with discussion of the broad implications
of this material, reveal the dedication and thoroughness of Hill’s approach
to his self-assigned task.
In the final analysis, one must conclude that Hill has assembled as good
a case as can be made on the basis of presently available data that the
observation of some "unconventional flying objects" is compatible with the
presence of engineered platforms weighing in at something around 30 tons,
which are capable of 100-g accelerations and 9000-mph speeds in the atmosphere.
Perhaps more important for the technical reader, however, is Hill’s supporting
argumentation, based on solid analysis, that these platforms, although exhibiting
the application of physics and engineering principles clearly beyond our
present-day capabilities, do not appear to defy these principles in any
fundamental way.
H.E. Puthoff, Ph.D.
Institute for Advanced Studies at Austin
4030 W. Braker Lane, Ste. 300
Austin, TX 78759
E-mail: Puthoff@aol.com
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1 The book also comes highly recommended in a Frontispiece by Apollo
14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell, and in a Foreword by retired McDonnell Douglas
R&D Manager, Robert M. Wood.
2 Ass’t Chief, Pilotless Aircraft Research Div., Assoc. Chief
Applied Materials and Physics Div. Retired from NASA in 1970.
3 Recent examples of the discussion of the technical aspects
of candidate field propulsion mechanisms of this type are given in M. Alcubierre,
"The Warp Drive: hyper-fast travel within general relativity," Class and
Quantum Grav. 11, L73 (1994), and in H. Puthoff, "SETI,
the velocity-of -light limitation and the Alcubierre Warp Drive: An integrating
overview," Phys. Essays 9, No. 1, 156 (March 1996).
This book review originally appeared in the Journal
of Scientific Exploration, Vol. 10 No. 4, 1996.
