Person
Mick West
Skeptical analyst who posts on the Metabunk forum
2023– · Critics and skeptics · Critic
A skeptical analyst who posts on the Metabunk forum, he examines videos and images attributed to UAP with technical analysis. In 2023 he asked for concrete verification of Grusch's account, in 2024 he listed factual errors in Elizondo's “Imminent” and in 2025 he helped identify as irrigation circles the image of a “disc” shown by Elizondo. The transcript of Kirkpatrick's interview with the Guardian was published on Metabunk.
- Key claims
- Maintains that some Navy videos described by Elizondo are explained by camera artifacts, parallax and slow objects such as balloons.
- Judged the first tranche of the PURSUE files (2026) devoid of significant content.
- Today
- Commented critically on the first tranche of the PURSUE files (May 2026).
Documented authority
It measures how documented and verifiable what the person claims is, not their honesty. Each criterion is scored from 0 to 2.
- Credentials 1/2
- He holds no institutional positions; his role as an analyst is documented by his publications and by the press that cites him.
- Direct access not applicable
- He does not claim direct knowledge of the programs: he analyzes public material.
- Evidence provided 2/2
- He publishes detailed, accessible technical analyses of videos and images, such as the identification of the irrigation circles.
- Claims track record not applicable
- The sources consulted do not systematically track the outcome of his analyses; those cited are not recorded as refuted.
- Conflicts of interest not applicable
- The sources consulted do not document financial interests tied to the topic.
Sources
- The Debrief, June 8, 2023: the Grusch case and Congress (press, pro-disclosure)
- Futurism, May 2, 2025: the “disc” was irrigation circles (archived copy) (press)
- Transcript of Kirkpatrick's interview with the Guardian (Daniel Lavelle), March 2024 (Metabunk) (analysis, skeptical)
- Metabunk (Mick West): factual errors in “Imminent” (analysis, skeptical)
- Metabunk: discussion of “Immaculate Constellation” (analysis, skeptical)
On this site
Documents 1
- The Chilean file on the FLIR video recorded by a Navy helicopter on November 11, 2014 Documented provenance
Cases 9
- The “green fireballs” over New Mexico's nuclear laboratories Disputed explanation
- Nimitz Carrier Strike Group: the “Tic Tac” off San Diego Unexplained
- Aguadilla: the object that seemed to enter the sea, two lanterns according to AARO Disputed explanation
- Chilean Navy helicopter 2014: the FLIR video studied by CEFAA Unexplained
- GIMBAL video: object filmed in infrared by an F/A-18 off Florida Unexplained
- GOFAST video: according to AARO the object was at 13,000 feet and slow, not skimming the water Explained
- Destroyers off California: swarms of objects and “pyramids” Explained
- USS Jackson 2023: the “Tic Tac” that, according to a petty officer, emerged from the sea Unexplained
- The “disc photo” shown by Elizondo: they were irrigation circles Explained
Timeline 2
- May 2025: The giant “disc” shown by Elizondo: for critics, an irrigation circle
- May 8, 2026: PURSUE launches: the Pentagon publishes the first release of UAP files
Open in the interactive archive The whole section: Directory of people
UAPgrade's entries are compiled with artificial intelligence (three verifiers with opposing roles) and checked against the sources listed above: how we work. Have a document that changes this entry? Bring it to the Investigations Unit.