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Ryan Graves: UFOs, Fighter Jets, and Aliens | Lex Fridman Podcast #308

Lex Fridman・145 minutes read

Lieutenant Ryan Graves has detected UFOs multiple times, emphasizing the need to investigate for national security. Graves, with a background in aerospace engineering, discussed UFO sightings, advanced aircraft technology, and the importance of nature for solace and mental well-being.

Insights

  • Lieutenant Ryan Graves, a former navy fighter pilot, stresses the importance of investigating UFO sightings for national security, having personally detected UFOs multiple times.
  • High-threat scenarios in flying involve low-altitude maneuvers to avoid radar detection and surface threats, crucial for pre-planned strike missions.
  • The F-35, while not the best dogfighter, excels in avoiding dogfights due to its design and advanced capabilities, playing a crucial role in modern warfare.
  • Electronic warfare, controlling the electromagnetic spectrum to deceive radar and disrupt missile guidance, is essential for future warfare strategies.
  • The complexity of modern warfare, including civilian use of advanced technology in conflicts like in Ukraine, highlights the changing landscape and potential ethical implications of warfare.

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Recent questions

  • What is the significance of flying low in high-threat scenarios?

    Flying low in high-threat scenarios is crucial for evading surface-to-air threats and executing pre-planned strike missions. By flying close to the ground, aircraft can camouflage themselves from radar systems, making it harder for surface-to-air missiles to target them. This tactic allows pilots to avoid detection and engage in missions effectively, ensuring the safety and success of their operations.

  • How do autonomous systems impact military strategies?

    Autonomous systems and AI introduce randomness into tactical environments, making it challenging for enemies to predict and counter military strategies effectively. By leveraging advanced technology, military forces can enhance their capabilities and gain an edge in combat situations. The unpredictability introduced by autonomous systems can disrupt enemy defenses and provide strategic advantages on the battlefield.

  • What is the role of the F-35 in modern warfare?

    The F-35 is not the best dogfighter but excels in avoiding dogfights due to its design. While dogfighting is less tactically relevant in modern warfare due to the effectiveness of long-range weapon systems, the F-35 plays a crucial role in warfare by leveraging its advanced features and capabilities. Its sleek appearance and combat strengths make it a valuable asset in military operations.

  • How do fighter jets like the F-18 differ in combat strategies?

    Fighter jets can focus on outmuscling opponents or being highly maneuverable like the F-18. The F-18 prioritizes maneuverability to outmaneuver adversaries in combat, showcasing its agility and effectiveness in aerial engagements. Understanding the unique strengths of different fighter jets is essential for developing successful combat strategies and achieving mission objectives.

  • Why is electronic warfare important in modern combat?

    Electronic warfare involves controlling the electromagnetic spectrum to deceive radar systems and disrupt missile guidance, emphasizing the importance of information in future warfare. By leveraging electronic warfare tactics, military forces can gain a strategic advantage by confusing and disabling enemy systems, enhancing their operational capabilities and ensuring mission success in complex combat environments.

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Summary

00:00

"Former Navy Pilot Urges UFO Investigation"

  • Lieutenant Ryan Graves, a former navy fighter pilot, has detected UFOs multiple times and emphasizes the importance of investigating these sightings for national security.
  • Ryan Graves holds a degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering and has experience in advanced technology development, including machine learning and air-to-air combat technologies.
  • In the movie "Top Gun," the flying scenes were accurate, but the chess game aspect of flying in high-threat scenarios was challenging to portray realistically.
  • A high-threat scenario involves flying low to avoid surface-to-air threats and engaging in a pre-planned strike mission.
  • In a pre-planned strike mission, aircraft must ingress low to avoid radar detection and then egress after completing the mission.
  • Flying low to the ground can camouflage aircraft from radar systems, making it harder for surface-to-air missiles to target them.
  • Integrated air defense systems pose a challenge as they can distribute sensors and weapons, making it difficult to evade missile threats.
  • Autonomous systems and AI can introduce randomness into tactical environments, making it harder for enemies to predict and counter military strategies.
  • Dogfighting, while intense, is less tactically relevant in modern warfare due to the effectiveness of long-range weapon systems.
  • Electronic warfare involves controlling the electromagnetic spectrum to deceive radar systems and disrupt missile guidance, emphasizing the importance of information in future warfare.

14:43

F-35: Expensive, Advanced, Crucial in Warfare

  • The F-35 is not the best dogfighter but excels in avoiding dogfights due to its design.
  • Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is known for its sleek appearance and two main strengths in combat.
  • Fighter jets can focus on outmuscling opponents or being highly maneuverable like the F-18.
  • The F-35 falls behind the F-22 in terms of combat positioning but plays a crucial role in warfare.
  • The F-35 is expensive due to its advanced features and capabilities.
  • Hypersonic flights are not commonly used in human flight for tactical purposes.
  • Hypersonic technology poses challenges in detection and response time in warfare.
  • The OODA loop concept is crucial in breaking an opponent's kill chain in combat.
  • Bird strikes are a common safety threat in aviation, requiring pilots to maneuver carefully.
  • Environmental protection measures are in place at airports to mitigate bird strike risks.

28:32

"Jet Training: Risks and Challenges in Aviation"

  • Training on a jet aircraft precedes the F-18, with the T45 being carrier-capable for initial training.
  • Activities during T45 training include day and night flying, dropping fake bombs, dogfighting, and low-level formation flying.
  • Transitioning from a 600 horsepower prop plane to the T45 involves a significant power increase to around 15,000 horsepower.
  • The faster pace of operations in a jet aircraft necessitates quicker decision-making and actions.
  • An incident during a formation flight required a controlled ejection due to landing gear issues.
  • The experience of controlled ejection was not perceived as fearful, with a focus on following procedures and checklists.
  • Subsequent incidents of ejections in the squadron highlight the potential risks involved in aviation.
  • Ejection from an aircraft involves experiencing high G-forces, potentially leading to loss of consciousness.
  • Formation flying requires manual maintenance of position relative to other aircraft, with visual cues and checkpoints.
  • Stress and challenges in maintaining formation include physical discomfort, psychological stress, and potential disorientation in adverse weather conditions.

41:44

"Air crew defend in combat spread"

  • Air crew maintain visual contact and defend each other in combat spread, flying in formation.
  • Exploring automation in aircraft formation led to questioning the best formation for more effective operations.
  • Consideration of non-traditional formation keeping and autonomy for tactical environments.
  • Human-AI collaboration in semi-autonomous vehicle systems, especially in fast-paced decision-making scenarios.
  • Challenges not only in autonomy algorithms but also in sensing the environment for decision-making.
  • Pilot's attraction to fighter jets stemmed from the desire to operate at the edge of technology and science.
  • Mastery over the aircraft felt like an extension of the body, leading to a love for flight.
  • Fighter jets represent incredible engineering achievements inspired by the necessities of war.
  • Landing on an aircraft carrier involves complex procedures and precision, with challenges in variables and physical sensations.
  • Landing involves using systems like the "ball" for guidance, manual compensation for variables, and modulation of inputs as the aircraft gets closer to the carrier.

55:41

Night landings and radar anomalies in flight

  • New and complacent pilots often try to re-center the high ball in close, which is advised against to prevent crashing due to decreased lift and burble effects.
  • In harsh weather conditions, a zero-zero landing is indicated by turning on taxi lights for the Landing Signal Officer (LSO) to guide the pilot to land on the boat.
  • During a zero-zero landing, the LSO communicates with the pilot through a radio-like device, directing them to adjust altitude and power for a safe landing.
  • Night landings involve using night vision goggles to navigate, with starlight aiding visibility until it disappears, leaving pilots in darkness before spotting the boat's light.
  • Night landings can be meditative, with pilots focusing on distant lights in the darkness until they snap back to reality to prepare for landing.
  • Night vision goggles reveal numerous stars and shooting stars, offering a humbling experience due to the lack of light pollution over the ocean.
  • The Red Rippers squadron's patch features the boar's head from Gordon's Gin, obtained after a memorable encounter with the gin's owner in the UK.
  • The squadron transitioned to the APG-79 radar upgrade, which revealed objects not detected by the previous radar, leading to suspicions of software malfunctions.
  • The radar displays representations of detected objects, with a target aspect indicator showing unusual behavior like random movements and stationary positions at various altitudes despite wind conditions.
  • Stationary objects at different altitudes, unaffected by wind, were considered unusual during flights, as they defied the expected behavior in the air currents.

01:08:42

Mysterious Objects in Virginia Beach Airspace

  • In windy conditions, modern drone technology allows drones like DJI to remain relatively stationary, even in 30-40 knot winds, although they may not be completely motionless.
  • The Department of Defense's approach to unidentified objects is criticized for focusing on single images rather than considering factors like duration, interaction with other objects, and context.
  • Drones observed in a specific airspace off the coast of Virginia Beach typically flew at speeds ranging from 0.6 to 1.2 mach, often in circular or racetrack patterns.
  • The objects' flight patterns were described as more erratic than those controlled by autopilot, displaying unusual movements like drifting rather than precise turns.
  • Multiple squadron members observed the objects on radar and infrared cameras, leading to speculation about potential intelligence gathering activities by foreign entities.
  • Pilots encountered a dark gray or black cube inside a clear translucent sphere at the exact altitude and location where aircraft entered and exited the working area, prompting safety concerns.
  • Following close encounters with the objects, pilots submitted hazard reports to naval aviation safety networks to address the potential risks posed by the unidentified objects.
  • Despite concerns about the objects potentially being a threat, there was no indication of hostile intent, leading to speculation about the objects' origins, including the possibility of U.S. technology or foreign surveillance.
  • Various theories were considered, including the objects being mislocated U.S. technology, tests by other branches of the military, or surveillance efforts by foreign nations like China or Russia.
  • The lack of clear answers or definitive explanations led to ongoing uncertainty and speculation about the nature and origins of the unidentified objects observed in the airspace off Virginia Beach.

01:22:02

Advanced technology and UFO sightings analysis.

  • Consideration of foreign powers or non-government entities in possession of advanced technology
  • Speculation on remnants of advanced technology in the economy
  • Potential aggressive development of technology by competitors in power struggles
  • Exploration of natural phenomena as a partial explanation for sightings
  • Differentiating between incidents like the Roosevelt and Nimitz sightings
  • Hypothesizing on the possibility of technology manipulation by adversaries
  • Training aviators on visual illusions and potential limitations of pilot eyesight
  • Clear visibility conditions during sightings, such as on a perfectly clear day
  • Contemplation of non-human intelligence or extraterrestrial origins
  • Establishment of the All Domain Anomaly Resolution Office for UFO investigation

01:36:40

Pilots' UFO Encounters: Logic vs Trust

  • The speaker struggles to logically discredit the accounts of pilots like Dave Fravor regarding UFO sightings.
  • The speaker knows Dave Fravor personally and trusts his accounts of UFO encounters.
  • The speaker finds the underwater aspects of UFO sightings intriguing, suggesting advanced technology could operate effectively underwater.
  • Cross-domain tracking, especially underwater, poses challenges for aviators due to limited capabilities.
  • The speaker discusses the Gimbal video, where a pilot recorded a UFO sighting during an air-to-air training mission.
  • The Gimbal video shows a peculiar object with an energy funnel and no visible exhaust, moving in an unusual manner.
  • The video captures a formation of UFOs in a wedge formation, displaying erratic flight mechanics.
  • The speaker notes the object's vertical maneuvering, a departure from conventional flight patterns.
  • The speaker reflects on the military's tendency to overlook anomalous sightings due to busy schedules and bureaucratic constraints.
  • The Department of Defense's release of UFO videos was likely prompted by their public availability, leading to a need for acknowledgment.

01:50:28

Exploring Perspectives on Alien Technology and Collaboration

  • Dismissing air crew input is seen as a fallacy in analyzing reality, emphasizing the importance of human perspective in analysis.
  • Contemplation on the existence of intelligent alien civilizations in the vast cosmos is a common thought, with a belief in the likelihood of intelligent life beyond Earth.
  • Speculation on encountering advanced technologies from alien civilizations, focusing on the ability to manipulate matter akin to manipulating information.
  • Quantum mechanical simulations are utilized to understand and potentially engineer materials at a fundamental level, bridging the gap between classical and quantum computing.
  • Gen Mads, a quantum materials company, integrates artificial intelligence and machine learning to design materials and is launching a satellite with advanced hyperspectral sensors for material detection.
  • The potential for manipulating gravity fields for propellantless travel is discussed, exploring the concept of quantum entangling gravity fields for propulsion.
  • Mars exploration is viewed as a means to develop advanced technologies through solving extreme engineering challenges, leading to technological advancements on Earth.
  • Speculation on the U.S. government potentially hiding alien spacecraft technology is pondered, considering the societal impact and reasons for secrecy.
  • The potential societal and psychological impact of confirming the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence is discussed, highlighting the complexities of such a revelation.
  • Collaboration and unity among intelligent civilizations are emphasized as beneficial, suggesting that cooperation and shared goals lead to greater advancements than conflict.

02:06:28

"Ethical warfare: precision, autonomy, and technology"

  • The speaker aims to communicate a desire for a building to be removed without specifying vehicle locations, fuel levels, or capabilities, focusing on selecting assets from a cloud of capabilities to address contingencies around a target.
  • The power of the human mind is highlighted for strategic and ethical calculations, emphasizing the need for the right assets to deal with contingencies and prosecute targets effectively.
  • The discussion delves into concerns about increasing autonomy in weapon systems and warfare, with a focus on the ethical implications and the importance of moral leadership in utilizing technology precisely.
  • The value of precision in warfare is emphasized, particularly in mitigating civilian casualties, with technology playing a role in reducing unethical actions like the deliberate killing of civilians.
  • The conversation shifts to the ongoing war in Ukraine, detailing the use of drones like Baraktar and Orlan 10 for reconnaissance and targeting purposes, along with fighter jets like the Mig-29 and Su-25.
  • The evolving nature of warfare, including the use of small drones for combat purposes, raises concerns about the potential misuse of technology and the need for security measures to prevent these tools from being turned against their creators.
  • The discussion extends to the empowerment of individuals in conflict zones, like in Ukraine, where civilians use advanced technology like drones for surveillance and reconnaissance to fight for independence against authoritarian regimes.
  • The complexity of modern warfare, with civilians leveraging technology for combat, highlights the changing landscape of conflict and the potential impact on traditional warfare strategies.
  • The conversation explores the inevitability of war due to resource limitations and human nature, with a focus on the psychological and biological factors that contribute to conflicts.
  • The speaker reflects on the human aspect of war, acknowledging the shared humanity between adversaries in combat situations, emphasizing the necessity and challenges of engaging in conflict.

02:23:24

Military transition, nature solace, UFO discussions: Lieutenant Graves.

  • Transitioning out of the military, especially the fighter community, can be mentally challenging due to the lack of preparation for the change and the absence of plans for mental health considerations.
  • Finding solace and happiness in nature, Lieutenant Ryan Graves emphasizes the importance of privacy and land over the house, creating a sanctuary that provides clarity and relaxation.
  • Despite being drawn to cutting-edge technology, Graves finds peace and calm in nature, recognizing its superiority and the clarity it offers.
  • Reflecting on mortality, Graves admits to accepting high risks as an aviator, feeling a sense of invincibility, and not dwelling on the concept of death while in the military.
  • Discussing the meaning of life and the human mind's unique ability to imagine and create, Graves emphasizes the importance of curiosity and interaction with reality to lead to new discoveries and advancements.
  • Expressing gratitude for the conversation, Graves discusses his involvement in UFO discussions and technological advancements, including fighter jets, AI applications, and quantum technology, hinting at future endeavors in these fields.
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