Unidentified submerged object

{{Short description|Unusual phenomenon in water that is not readily identifiable}}

An unidentified submerged object (USO) is an unidentified object submerged in water. The U.S. Navy classifies USOs as whales, sharks, and other sea creatures that can interfere with ship maneuvering, sonar operations, and oceanographic research.{{cite web |last1=Christenson |first1=Scot |title=USOs Not UFOs Have Been the Greatest Threat to the Navy |url=https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2022/august/usos-not-ufos-have-been-greatest-threat-navy |website=usni.org |publisher=August 2022, Naval History Magazine, US Navy |access-date=21 September 2023}} The term has also been used by ufologists such as retired admiral Tim Gallaudet to refer to unidentified flying objects (UFOs) which can allegedly travel through water.{{citation|author=Collin Woodard|title=Forget UFOs, let's talk about Unidentified Submerged Objects|url=https://qz.com/unidentified-submerged-objects-uso-ufo-navy-1851420394|publisher=Quartz|date=18 April 2024|accessdate=12 September 2024}}