Black project

Black project is an informal term used to describe a highly classified, top-secret military or defense project that is not publicly acknowledged by government, military personnel, or contractors.

In the United States, the formal term for a black project is an unacknowledged special access program (SAP).

The US depends on private defense contractors to develop and build military equipment.

The R&D department of Lockheed Martin is commonly referred to as Skunk Works; it is responsible for a number of aircraft designs, highly classified R&D programs, and exotic aircraft platforms.

Below are examples of previously unacknowledged black projects categorized per country.

Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit
The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk is an example of an American black project, with its existence being classified information throughout its design and manufacture, as well as for several years after its service commenced.