Two Royal Air Force pilots reported sighting an unidentified flying object during an air-to-air refuelling operation off the coast of the United Kingdom earlier this year, according to a recently released official report. The incident occurred on February 18 at an altitude of 16,000 feet over the North Sea, approximately 32 miles north of Cromer, Norfolk.

The encounter involved a Voyager tanker aircraft and a Typhoon fighter jet. During the refuelling procedure, the Voyager pilot reportedly ducked instinctively as a black, circular object passed within 100 to 150 feet of the aircraft. The pilot of the Typhoon also observed the object; however, it did not appear on radar during the incident.

The official log, as outlined in the UK Airprox Board report, classified the collision risk posed by the object as “medium.” The object was initially identified to authorities as a drone, though no conclusive identification using radar or other detection systems was made. The report detailed the object's proximity to the Voyager pilot, noting the pilot’s reflexive evasive reaction in response to the close pass.

Experts in unidentified aerial phenomena have described the encounter as credible. Gary Heseltine, a researcher specializing in unidentified flying objects, characterized the case as significant due to the professional background of the pilots and the detailed official documentation provided.

No further information has been released regarding any investigations into the object’s origin or additional sightings in the area. The event adds to ongoing discussions about airspace safety and the presence of unidentified objects near military aircraft during complex operations such as in-flight refuelling.