Introducing the Inquire Anomaly Index (IAI)

Today Inquire launches the Inquire Anomaly Index, a structured framework for assessing the current level of documented anomalous phenomena activity globally, with a focus on verified military encounters, proximity to critical infrastructure, and the frequency and nature of documented incidents across multiple regions.

The IAI creates standardized, publicly accessible reference point for understanding where anomalous activity currently stands relative to historical norms. Defense readiness has DEFCON. Financial volatility has the VIX. Organizations managing UAP-adjacent risk now have the IAI.

How the Index Works

The IAI operates on a five-level scale, from ANOM-1 (Nominal) through ANOM-5 (Breach). Each level reflects a specific threshold of documented anomalous activity, factoring in the volume and frequency of verified incidents, the behavior and characteristics of observed phenomena, and confirmed proximity to restricted airspace or critical infrastructure. The index is updated as new verified information becomes available, and each update includes the criteria driving the current assessment.

The Five Levels

ANOM-1 — Nominal: Baseline conditions. Anomalous phenomena reports are sporadic and isolated, with no verified military encounters and no confirmed proximity to restricted airspace or critical infrastructure. Activity is consistent with historical norms and does not warrant elevated organizational attention.

ANOM-2 — Emerging: A meaningful increase in documented incidents across multiple regions. At least one verified military observation has occurred, and anomalous phenomena have been noted near restricted airspace or sensitive installations. Organizations in high-exposure sectors should begin reviewing their awareness posture.

ANOM-3 — Escalating: Multiple confirmed encounters across separate military commands. Phenomena demonstrating unexplained flight characteristics or behavior have been documented, with confirmed incursions near critical infrastructure. The frequency and geographic distribution of incidents represents a meaningful departure from baseline. Risk teams should conduct internal briefings and assess operational exposure.

ANOM-4 — Critical: A sustained pattern of anomalous activity across multiple theaters and domains. Confirmed proximity to sensitive defense and energy infrastructure. Documented anomalous behavior or direct military engagement on record. Incident frequency and characteristics indicate a persistent, non-isolated phenomenon. Organizations should have readiness protocols active and leadership briefed.

ANOM-5 — Breach: Mass sustained anomalous presence across multiple domains with confirmed direct interaction with or disruption of critical infrastructure, military operations, and aerospace traffic. At this level, the volume, behavior, and impact of documented phenomena has compelled official government acknowledgment that the activity is of non-human origin. This level represents an unprecedented operational environment requiring immediate organizational response.

Status at the time of publishing: ANOM-2 — Emerging

The IAI launches today at ANOM-2. Approximately one month ago, anomalous phenomena were documented at two separate U.S. military installations in incidents subsequently confirmed by military officials and reported across major news outlets. Those events met the ANOM-3 threshold: multiple documented incidents across separate locations, multiple verified military observations, and confirmed anomalous activity near sensitive installations.

Since those incidents, documented activity has subsided. There are no current and ongoing confirmed military encounters and no verified proximity events to critical infrastructure. The situation does not warrant escalation to ANOM-3, but the recency and nature of the confirmed incidents place current conditions above the historical baseline of ANOM-1.

Why This Matters for Organizations

The value of a standardized index is not in the number itself, it is in the discipline of tracking change over time. An organization that knows the IAI moved from ANOM-2 to ANOM-3 has a concrete trigger for reviewing its risk posture, briefing leadership, or activating a readiness protocol. Without a reference framework, those decisions are reactive and inconsistent.

The IAI is updated by Inquire's research team based on verified open-source intelligence, official statements, and documented reporting from credible defense and national security outlets. It is not a speculative tool. Every level change will be accompanied by a written assessment explaining the criteria met.

Organizations interested in understanding how current IAI levels intersect with their specific risk exposure can request a briefing through Inquire.