Letter from Senator Harry Reid to Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn III regarding AATIP

On June 24, 2009, Senator Harry Reid wrote to Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn III regarding the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP). Senator Reid noted that the U.S. Senate had previously mandated that the Defense Intelligence Agency assess far-term foreign advanced aerospace threats. He stated that the program had successfully identified highly sensitive, unconventional aerospace-related findings, and that the continued study of these subjects required extraordinary protection. Reid requested the establishment of a Restricted Special-Access-Program (SAP) with a Bigoted Access List to protect the program's methodology, personnel, and industry partnerships. He argued that the technologies involved, which include advanced lift, propulsion, and unconventional materials, are of significant interest to foreign intelligence services and that current SAP protocols were inadequate. The letter includes an attachment detailing a preliminary list of government and contractor personnel, including representatives from Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies LLC (BAASS), to be included in the program. Senator Reid emphasized that the results of AATIP would provide the U.S. with a distinct technological advantage and help maintain its preeminence as a world leader.