We have many little projects but they are kept under the lid because:
Even our allies spy on us; industrial espionage.
Our enemies spy on us.
Some capabilities once known loose much of their effect. The F117 flew long before people knew it existed.
Certain tactics, techniques or procedures can be developed if you know the exact capabilities of the hardware in order to minimize its effectiveness and maximize yours. Exact radar/ECM/ECCM capabilities become sensitive issues real quick.
We keep things under a lid so we don't loose billions through espionage and to keep our bubbas safe. It's not to mislead the public or anything else.
We spend OVER $30,000,000,000 on research, development, test and evaluation annually. Many others would like to gain from our research without paying. It’s really that simple.
Red6
As I recall, some claim the actual R & D and even deployment funding is much, much, much more than that.
But then that gets into some REALLLLLLY strange contentions about funding sources and very strange goings on.
I certainly don't know where the truth lies in all that. I do believe the public has been bilked in a list of ways for a LOT of very black projects for at least the last 50 years--projects which have yet to see much light of public awareness at all.
I agree with that analysis. My tinfoil hat is not too tight...:)