The Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, or AATIP, was a secret initiative funded by the United States government to investigate unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), commonly known as UFOs. Established in 2007, the program aimed to assess potential threats posed by these unexplained sightings and to gather data on advanced technologies that could be related to them. AATIP was part of a broader effort to understand and address national security concerns regarding UAP. The program was publicly acknowledged in 2017, leading to increased interest and discussion about the existence of UAP and the implications for military and civilian airspace safety.