Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP)
OrgProgramAdvanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program (AAWSAP)
OrgProgramDIA-funded program (2008-2012) contracted to Bigelow Aerospace via BAASS
DIA-funded program (2008-2012) contracted to Bigelow Aerospace via BAASS
Program
AAWSAP (Advanced Aerospace Weapon Systems Applications Program) was a U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) initiative in force between 2008 and 2012, contracted to Bigelow Aerospace via its subsidiary Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS). Its mandate, on record, was to research breakthrough aerospace technologies—propulsion, materials, human interface, signature reduction, spatial-temporal concepts and the like—rather than explicitly investigating UFOs or “unidentified aerial phenomena” under that name. Funding, reportedly $22 million over five years, reflected congressional earmarks.
BAASS was formed in early 2008, specifically to take on AAWSAP’s work. It was the sole bidder for the DIA contract (RFP HHM402-08-R-0211) and delivered studies in many technical areas—listed proposals required experts with decades of experience in physics, engineering, advanced aerospace concepts. By late 2009, several deliverables were produced; by 2012, the DIA ended AAWSAP citing limited value or utility in terms of national-security mission alignment. While on paper AAWSAP focused on “future aerospace” and unspecified breakthrough technologies, some reported or attributed claims tie it to UFO research.
BAASS is said to have collected thousands of case files, analyses, trace / “biomaterial” specimens, medical records of individuals affected by anomalous aerial incidents, and archived international anomalous event data. Some of this ties into UAP-related lore such as Skinwalker Ranch investigations. The genesis of AAWSAP connects to political interest and private sector involvement. Senator Harry Reid (Nevada) initiated the program, with support from colleagues (e.g.
Senators Ted Stevens and Daniel Inouye) and encouragement from Robert Bigelow, a billionaire entrepreneur with longstanding interest in anomalous aerial phenomena and experimental space technologies. Reid’s role included securing appropriations and pushing for higher levels of protection (Special Access Program status) around findings. BAASS was thus part of a nexus between Congress, DIA, and private aerospace research. There is consensus that AAWSAP ended in 2012 under DIA control.
Reports indicate that, by that time, internal assessments concluded its contributions did not meet DIA’s requirement for mission-relevant intelligence value. After cancellation, there were efforts by some involved to transition similar work to other agencies under different programs (e.g. “Kona Blue”) but with unclear success. People like Colm Kelleher and James T. Lacatski are frequently named in accounts of AAWSAP.
Kelleher is said to have been BAASS’s Deputy Administrator and later its Project Manager on several contractor deliverables. Lacatski is described as having shaped much of the program’s strategic guidance and oversight from within the DIA. Why AAWSAP endures in public interest is its blurry boundary between “scientific/advanced tech research” and “UFO/UAP investigation”—not codified but reconstructed from leaked reports, contractor work products, and statements by insiders. Whether AAWSAP produced verifiable materials or functional technologies related to its stated technical areas remains contested.
Claims about trace evidence, medical effects, and anomalous physics are frequently unverified, often relying on anecdotes or internal memos rather than peer-reviewed publication.
AAWSAP matters because it illustrates a moment when U.S. defense intelligence took a structured, if secretive, interest in phenomena outside conventional threat paradigms. The program’s records, criticisms, contractors, and political patrons together form a case study in how government allocates resources to ambiguous but potentially consequential aerospace research, and how programs with unconventional scopes navigate oversight, secrecy, and expectation.
RT @TheUfoJoe: Bigelow said he was selective on what he briefed Trump on, UFO-wise. He didn't want to go into the high strangeness, AAWSAP…
Bigelow said he was selective on what he briefed Trump on, UFO-wise. He didn't want to go into the high strangeness, AAWSAP stuff bc Trump would probably not find it credible. Smart move. Lacatski had no such concerns when he briefed the @DHSgov folks, and this is one reason why I love Lacatski. "[The briefing Lacatski] had given the two DHS specialists was probably the most intense, harrowing explication of paranormal weirdness ever encountered by that level of government official." More......
This has been a largely misunderstood and unaddressed aspect of AAWSAP. 1) The government denies UFOs/UAP were ever part of the original contract statement of work for AAWSAP. Ergo, the contractor was a bit off track with the scope on where they took AAWSAP which likely led to the concern over how that money was really being spent. (Looking at the documentation, and seeing where all this ended up, no one can deny the 'sweetheart deal' idea that BAASS was set to receive this contract from the...
Then he should release the tax payer funded UFO related research, databases, reports, and information he amassed through AAWSAP that the U.S. government denies he did. https://t.co/6Ugwi67sY5 [Quoted] Aerospace tycoon Robert Bigelow wants to get some things off his chest regarding UFO Disclosure. "It's time", he says. Today at 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm on KLAS TV, exclusive details of the Disclosure plan Bigelow shared with a certain pal of his who lives in DC.
I used to think this was a great thing. Like when I tweeted out the two names of the folks who allegedly helped kill AAWSAP. But I never offered any evidence, and it didn't change anything. Plus, AFAIK, those folks were never questioned about it. Another example: we know the name Glenn Gaffney (and what he's accused of), and know that Grusch claims James Clapper managed the crash retrieval program. Has anybody in the media questioned either of those guys? Nope. Plus, again, we don't have any...
I see this quote used all the time as a "gotcha" on Lue. Sorry, but anybody with half a brain knows he meant UFO topic and not our little community. Because counter-intelligence is EXACTLY what he was asked to do in the beginning of AAWSAP. And I didn't get that info. from Lue. Stratton's book should open some eyes. Of course, many will claim that Jay's part of the evil cover-up, too. [Quoted] Just so everyone is clear on Lou elizondo, from the mouth of lou elizondo. From the source himself....
On November 24, 2025, we confronted Lue Elizondo about his past work with CIA Ground Branch in SAC, James Lacatski in the Legacy Program pulling Lue out of his CI/Tech Protection function in the program into AAWSAP, and Lue forming the AATIP cover program with James Clapper in the Obama White House. Nobody noticed. https://t.co/lLxmGW0mAM @StephenM @realDonaldTrump @realannapaulina @RepEricBurlison @JDVance @SecRubio @SecWar @DoW_AARO @rosscoulthart @UAPGERB @LueElizondo
What’s interesting about this nonsense is that it’s at the root of modern ufology. AATIP and AAWSAP (an actual Pentagon program) were founded on the idea that Skinwalker Ranch was magic. People actually believe this. I wish more journalists would write about it. Ask questions. https://t.co/6wWmKFV9sN [Quoted] 🚨BREAKING🚨 Is there a UFO buried under the mesa at Skinwalker Ranch in northeastern Utah? The team drilling into it keeps hitting engineered ceramic tile hundreds of feet down; materia...
Probed ingest of: "There's A UFO Under the Ranch!" - Skinwalker Owner Breaks Silence
🚨 Dr James Lacatski has seen the INSIDE of a UFO 😱🛸👽 The former head of the Pentagon’s AAWSAP program: “The U.S. is in possession of a recovered UFO craft and that we’ve ‘breached the hull.’” He’s ready: “He says he’s willing to testify directly to Congress under oath.” With Donald Trump’s new whistleblower protections, will we finally see Dr Lacatski reveal the truth about what he saw inside a UFO? https://t.co/PbjyhwMr3x
