Project Blue Book Case #2022. On September 1, 1952, an unidentified object was observed in the sky near Marietta, Georgia — a community whose significance extended far beyond its suburban character. The Lockheed Aircraft Corporation's massive Plant #6 (later Lockheed Martin) was located in Marietta, producing the B-47 Stratojet bomber for Strategic Air Command. It was one of the most important defense manufacturing facilities in the country.
Additionally, Dobbins Air Force Base (now Dobbins Air Reserve Base) was adjacent to the Lockheed plant, serving as both a test facility and an operational military airfield. The combination of advanced aircraft production and active military flight operations meant that observers in Marietta had exceptional familiarity with aircraft of all types.
The sighting came during the great 1952 wave, which had peaked in late July but continued producing significant reports. Georgia had contributed several notable cases during this period, and the proximity of the Marietta sighting to a major defense contractor raised additional questions about the nature and intent of the unidentified objects being reported near sensitive facilities across the country.
The object seen near Marietta did not correspond to any aircraft in production or testing at the Lockheed plant, nor to any operations at Dobbins AFB. Its characteristics were described as inconsistent with conventional aviation technology. Investigators gave the case heightened scrutiny due to the strategic importance of the Lockheed facility, but no identification could be achieved. Case #2022 was classified "Unknown."