A usual training flight over Arizona in January 2023 took a surprising twist when a U.S. Air Force F-16D encountered what was first described as an unidentified object. However, U.S. defense officials now confirm that a small drone was responsible.

Fox News has verified that this incident, which happened near Gila Bend, Arizona, on January 19, 2023, involved a routine training exercise. It was witnessed by the instructor pilot seated at the back of the two-seat jet.

A defense official from the U.S. relayed that the pilot noticed a “mostly white and orange object” striking the left side of the aircraft’s canopy, the see-through cover over the cockpit area.

Initially, the object was thought to be a bird, a common hazard for aircraft. But after conducting checks during the flight and a detailed inspection upon landing at Tucson International Airport, the crew found “zero evidence” of a bird strike.

“A conclusion was made by the aircrew that the aircraft was struck by a small drone,” the U.S. defense official said.

An F-16 fighter jet, like the same model in this photo, was struck by a drone over Arizona in 2023. (Go Bum-jun/Newsis via AP, File)

The drone’s operator has not been identified, and the drone itself was not recovered. It is unknown who was flying it and whether it was being operated legally in the area.

The U.S. defense official said this January 2023 incident was rare, and there have been no further reports of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) colliding with F-16s since. 

Two F-16s take-off from the Hualien air force base in eastern Taiwan, on Jan. 23, 2013. (AFP/File)

The strike resulted in no injuries or damage. 

The Department of Defense clarified the situation after earlier reports inaccurately claimed the aircraft was damaged and that the object was an unidentified object.