A potomac TRACON (pct) controller reports of a tethered balloon [joint land attack cruise missile de...

Attributes
ACN	1255089
Time
Date	201504
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	PCT.TRACON
State Reference	VA
Environment
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Medium Transport Low Wing 2 Turbojet Eng
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Cruise
Route In Use	Direct
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	Light Transport High Wing 2 Turboprop Eng
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Cruise
Person 1
Function	Approach
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Experience	Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 4.5
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Airspace Violation All Types Conflict Airborne Conflict Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

Narrative:

I shortcut aircraft X; going to phl; direct dqo at 11;000 because traffic was light. This flight path took the aircraft over the top of R4001C which is active continuously up to and including 10;000 to contain the jlens aerostat (joint land attack cruise missile defense elevated netted sensor system).upon passing over the restricted area; the aircraft X pilot reported the aerostat was less than 500 feet below him. That report was confirmed by aircraft Y pilot who was vectored around the restricted area but was asked to observe the altitude. In fact the aircraft Y pilot said it appeared to be at his altitude. This means the [operating agency] is not remaining within the confines of the restricted area with the aerostat. The safety concerns of this cannot be overstated. The aerostat is essentially an antenna; and the military is raising it above the restricted area.the military needs to keep the transponder on the aerostat turned on so we can at least be aware of the altitude of the jlens. At least then we'll know when they are raising it above the restricted area without coordination.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Potomac TRACON (PCT) Controller reports of a tethered balloon [Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System] that is above the altitude is should be at as reported by an aircraft in the vicinity. Balloon does not have a transponder on it to show altitude.

Narrative: I shortcut Aircraft X; going to PHL; direct DQO at 11;000 because traffic was light. This flight path took the aircraft over the top of R4001C which is active continuously up to and including 10;000 to contain the JLENS Aerostat (Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System).Upon passing over the restricted area; the Aircraft X pilot reported the Aerostat was less than 500 feet below him. That report was confirmed by Aircraft Y pilot who was vectored around the restricted area but was asked to observe the altitude. In fact the Aircraft Y pilot said it appeared to be at his altitude. This means the [operating agency] is not remaining within the confines of the restricted area with the Aerostat. The safety concerns of this cannot be overstated. The Aerostat is essentially an antenna; and the military is raising it above the restricted area.The military needs to keep the transponder on the Aerostat turned on so we can at least be aware of the altitude of the JLENS. At least then we'll know when they are raising it above the restricted area without coordination.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

A potomac TRACON (pct) controller reports of a tethered balloon [joint land attack cruise missile defense elevated netted sensor system] that is above the altitude is should be at as reported by an aircraft in the vicinity. Balloon does not have a transponder on it to show altitude.