Well we don't know what the tech in the article actually looks like because there are no pictures. FLIR lock on superhot plasma seems possible during the day and the shape in the videos does seem like it could pass for a such a plasma ball IMO.

Here's another (personal) theory: the "UFO" is actually the result of the jet's own laser weapon/defense system which is why the pan rate is so consistent in the videos - i.e. it's aimed by the pilot himself.

See this article:

https://www.cnn.com/2015/12/17/politics/us-air-force-laser-f...