Special Access Programs (SAPs)

Special Access Programs (SAPs) are a classification level within the United States government used to protect particularly sensitive information, resources, or activities. They are intended to enhance security measures beyond those normally applied to classified information, and are often reserved for the nation’s most critical secrets.

SAPs are established and managed by the Department of Defense (DoD) and other US government agencies to control access to information that, if disclosed, could cause significant harm to national security. These programs involve additional access controls, including limited access to a select group of individuals, thorough background checks, and the use of non-disclosure agreements.

There are two main types of SAPs:

1. Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) SAPs: These programs focus on protecting intelligence sources and methods related to the intelligence community, including information collected through signals intelligence (SIGINT), human intelligence (HUMINT), and geospatial intelligence (GEOINT).
2. Non-SCI SAPs: These programs encompass a wide range of sensitive information not related to intelligence sources and methods, including advanced technology development, military operations, and sensitive defense capabilities.

“T/S:Codeword” refers to a high-level classification marking within the U.S. government’s security system. The “T/S” stands for Top Secret, and “Codeword” represents an additional layer of compartmentalization. This marking is often used for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) or Special Access Programs (SAP), where specific codewords designate different security compartments. These codewords limit who can access the information, even within those with appropriate clearances, based on a need-to-know basis.

Access to SCI or SAP materials requires a more thorough investigation than standard Top Secret clearances. An example would be documents marked T/S-SCI, where only those with both Top Secret clearance and specific authorization for that compartment (such as one designated by a particular codeword) are permitted to view it. This kind of clearance is used for some of the most sensitive programs within the intelligence community, such as those related to signals intelligence (SIGINT) or special military operations​. Codeword clearances are particularly stringent, as even the existence of certain programs may not be acknowledged publicly (Unacknowledged SAPs), or they may only be revealed to those cleared to know the specifics.

Here is a list of some alleged SAPs based on public sources:

1. SENIOR YEAR (later renamed OXCART): A CIA program focused on the development and operation of the A-12 OXCART aircraft, which was later replaced by the SR-71 Blackbird.
2. TALENT KEYHOLE: A series of reconnaissance satellite programs, including the KH-11 KENNAN, which collects high-resolution imagery.
3. RIVET JOINT: A signals intelligence (SIGINT) program that involves the RC-135 aircraft to collect and analyze real-time electronic intelligence.
4. BLACKSTAR: An alleged program that aimed to develop a two-stage-to-orbit spaceplane for reconnaissance and other purposes. This program has never been officially acknowledged or confirmed.
5. HAVE BLUE: A program that led to the development of the F-117 Nighthawk stealth aircraft.
6. SENIOR PROM: A reported SAP focusing on the development of stealth cruise missiles.
7. SENIOR CROWN: A program related to the development and operation of the SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft.
8. AURORA: An alleged program to develop a hypersonic reconnaissance aircraft, though its existence has never been officially confirmed.
9. BIRD OF PREY: A Boeing program that aimed to develop a stealthy, subsonic unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
10. RED LIGHT: An alleged program focused on the recovery and analysis of Soviet space capsules during the Cold War.
11. ROADRUNNER: A program associated with the development and operation of the A-12 OXCART, a precursor to the SR-71 Blackbird.
12. MOON DUST and BLUE FLY: Alleged programs dedicated to the recovery of foreign space debris and crashed objects, including those of potential extraterrestrial origin.
13. RENDITION: A controversial CIA program focused on capturing, detaining, and interrogating high-value terrorism suspects, sometimes in collaboration with foreign governments.
14. MK-ULTRA: A now-declassified CIA program that involved research on mind control and chemical interrogation techniques during the Cold War.
15. SENIOR ICE: An alleged program related to the development of stealth technology for submarines.
16. QUARTZ: A reported program aimed at developing a high-altitude reconnaissance drone, which was later canceled.
17. TEAMMATE: A program focused on developing advanced electronic warfare and signals intelligence capabilities.
18. PALLADIUM: A reported program that aimed to develop technologies for creating false radar images to deceive enemy forces.
19. MISTY: A satellite-based stealth reconnaissance program, which aimed to make satellites more difficult to detect by adversaries.
20. TIER-3 MINUS: An alleged program focused on the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with stealth capabilities, such as the RQ-170 Sentinel.

Special Access Programs are designed to provide an additional layer of protection for exceptionally sensitive information, ensuring that access to such information is restricted to a very limited number of individuals who are specifically authorized and have a demonstrated need-to-know.