James McCampbell

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From the UAP Encyclopedia, the open encyclopedia of UFO and UAP history · 👤 Person

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James McCampbell

Illustration of an open book about flying saucers — Illustration: an open book about flying saucers. An artist's impression drawn for this site, not a photograph of the event.

Type	Person
Also known as	McCampbell
On the Timeline	1 event, 1986

James M. McCampbell was an American engineer and UFO researcher who worked in nuclear engineering and aerospace before becoming involved with MUFON.

Ufology

Jacques Vallée 2024 — Jacques Vallée 2024 Photo: Cmichel67 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

In his book Ufology (1973, revised 1976), McCampbell argued that the physical effects reported in UFO encounters, such as engine failures, heat and humming sounds, could be explained by microwave radiation, offering one of the first systematic technical theories of UFO effects. He also studied pilot and radar reports. Jacques Vallée recorded a conversation with a former contractor about Vietnam-era aircraft detecting UFOs with special equipment, in which McCampbell's work was relevant.

On the UAP Timeline

Illustration of a jet meeting an unknown object — Illustration: a jet meeting an unknown object. An artist's impression drawn for this site, not a photograph of the event.

Wild Weasel UFO detections claim (22 June 1986) — A former contractor tells Vallée Vietnam-era aircraft detected UAP with special equipment.

Connected articles

References

Forbidden Science — the journals of Jacques Vallée (Anomaly Archives) · anomalyarchives.org · archived copy
Forbidden Science series — Anomalist Books · anomalistbooks.com · archived copy
Review of Forbidden Science 6 — SFCrowsnest · sfcrowsnest.info · archived copy
Forbidden Science Dispatches — Tanner Boyle (journal summaries) · tannerfboyle.substack.com · archived copy

Categories: Jacques vallée | Person | Unidentified anomalous phenomena | Unidentified flying object

This page was last edited on 29 October 2026. Articles are written in our own words from the sources listed under References; disputed claims are attributed to the people who made them.

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