/r/SpecialAccess
Created in 2012 r/SpecialAccess is a community devoted to uncovering the hardware produced by Special Access Programs of the last 50 years.
Long after these programs are completed, the massive security around them still remains. The astronomical costs associated with declassification keeps their status in limbo indefinitely. As a result these historic works of engineering are often buried and their records destroyed.
/r/SpecialAccess is a community devoted to uncovering Special Access Programs of the last 50 years.
A Special Access Program (SAP) is a platform or project (sometimes very exotic) that has extremely controlled access, distribution, and protections way beyond those of "top secret". This enforced state of need-to-know ensures only a minimum number of cleared personnel are given access to SAP information.
Long after a program has been completed, the massive security around it lives on. Many of these programs could be declassified, but the astronomical costs associated with declassification keeps their status in limbo indefinitely. As a result these historic works of engineering are sometimes buried and their records destroyed.
This robs a great many selfless individuals of the credit they deserve for working on these secretive programs. We would like to change that. Please help us on our quest to uncover the cobwebs from-
SPECIAL_ACCESS_PROGRAMS
/r/SpecialAccess
31,323 Subscribers
What’s the navy’s equivalent of Palmdale/Groom Lake?
If a secretive submarine or vessel is constructed, where is it made? I would think they would have something like Edwards or plant 42 where it’s a massive hangar where no one knows what goes on.
20:26 UTC
Partly snow-buried DC-3 in Antarctica ?
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ftivphHukoQKwohm7
Can this be an abandoned DC-3 in Antarctica ?
13:06 UTC
What does Ben Rich mean here?
Reading his Skunk Works memoir, he says that LockMart were initially passed over for what would be the F-117, because most of the USAF higher ups weren’t aware of the Blackbird, despite the Blackbird being revealed way before Have Blue. Was the fact Skunk Works built the blackbird classified at this point?
23:58 UTC
Ugh, the Pentagon reaches out to "social media influencers" to boost recruitment. Hey DoD, if you want kids to believe in The right stuff, Buck Rogers, Flash Gordon, and Chuck Yeager again, how about you just declassify some exotic craft?
16:36 UTC
Alleged H-20 stealth bomber shown on Chinese social media
23:38 UTC
Bill Sweetman’s Analysis of the J-36
Bill calls it the “Boxer” in an interesting write up…
https://www.aerosociety.com/news/boxing-clever-chinas-next-gen-tailless-combat-aircraft-analysed/
05:14 UTC
In the next four weeks, China is likely to unveil a prototype of its 6th-generation fighter/tactical bomber
19:56 UTC
Here is the other Chinese 6th generation revealed today.
15:15 UTC
Its here. This is the PLAAF 6th generation fighter.
11:33 UTC
Hang on a second. So there is a classified briefing about the New Jersey mystery drones, but NO acknowledgement of all the drone incursions at local and overseas military bases? Sure, I will totally buy that.
14:29 UTC
Drone operator arrested for flying over Vandenberg
Not special access but it is interesting that Vandenberg and the FBI can use SIGINT to find a drone operator. New Jersey needs to get its act together!
Cross reference post:
https://www.reddit.com/r/area51/comments/1hdg7u7/otish_drone_detection/?rdt=34014
Mod can delete if too off topic.
08:57 UTC
Simventions Darpa kill-chain contract
Just what we need...more software in the kill chain. Well it says "users", so maybe there in still humans involved.
SimVentions, Fredericksburg, Virginia, was awarded a $13,999,975 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to develop advanced model management capabilities that allow users to rapidly identify and use existing modes to build kill-chains/webs in a complex mission-level, theater-scaled environment. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Fredericksburg, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 13, 2027. Fiscal 2025 Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency funds in the amount of $300,000 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W912CG-25-C-0002).
08:37 UTC
Question: Is there a Reasonable Basis to Indicate that a Drone Presently Exists with the Capabilities Observed by LE During the Recent NJ Incursions?
I'm genuinely curious what information and analysis this sub has to indicate that a drone has been developed, produced at some scale, and deployed with the characteristics that have been identified by federal and NJ law enforcement:
No larger than 6-8 feet in any dimension.
Can't be picked up on LE grade FLIR
Operate continuously for 6-7 hours
Have advanced stealth capabilities (thermal, visual, radar) and are capable of "going dark" to evade LE helicopters when sighted.
have an impressive performance envelope - able to remain stationary in 55 mph winds, travel at significant speeds, and operate at altitudes ranging from 100s - multiple thousands of feet.
40-50 have been sighted simultaneously, so at least that many produced.
A relative of mine was a WW2 B-24 pilot and later a nuclear armed B-52 commander with SAC, so growing up I was a bit of an aircraft nerd, and I still like to read about new aircraft. IMO the characteristics observed in NJ do not exist in any single "drone" platform, especially given the reported size. I'm also fatigued at the use of the word "drone" as a magic term that makes anything possible.
Point of Clarification:
I'm not saying that I think that there's nothing fielded that could check the box on a couple of these characteristics - an MQ-9 could have the endurance required, but is way too big (66 ft. Wingspan) - I'm looking for something that would tick all the boxes.
Please cite/mention your sources. Thanks in advance for your input!
18:05 UTC