Anomalous propagation / temperature-inversion radar explanation.
documentedcompeting_explanationLandmark High-Strangeness Cases
[COMPETING-DOCUMENTED] The standard skeptical mechanism for radar-visual UFO cases: temperature-inversion-driven anomalous propagation (AP) bending radar beams and producing ghost/superrefraction echoes, often paired with plasma and astronomical misidentification. Invoked as the official or leading mundane explanation for Lakenheath-Bentwaters, Minot, and RB-47.
A real, well-understood atmospheric/radar phenomenon. Blue Book's Minot final report combined AP + plasma + celestial bodies; AP was the leading conventional candidate at Lakenheath. Its case-specific applicability is contested: McDonald and Thayer argued AP cannot produce coordinated stop-and-go targets on two radars of different frequency/scan rate, nor simultaneous independent ELINT + visual + ground-radar coincidence (RB-47). Thus 'documented mechanism, disputed fit.'.