Classified material in the USN

MBot · 10-05-08, 12:36 PM

Just out of curiosity, how long does classified material in the USN stays so? Is there a general rule that all documents are unclassified after X years or are there special exceptions (for example nuclear propulsion)?

Frame57 · 10-05-08, 01:08 PM

Very good question! When I had my debreifing they mentioned nothing about time frames.

Task Force · 10-05-08, 01:22 PM

Im guessing after the stuff becomes old and is no longer secret they probably do.

Terror_666 · 10-05-08, 02:03 PM

It is my understanding that classified materials will remain so for X number of years unless it is still relative to current operations.
As for nuclear technology that information is also covered under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and will remain "secret" for the foreseeable future.

Bubblehead Nuke · 10-05-08, 05:58 PM

With NNPI: it is 99 years, unless you have a waiver signed by the current Navsea08 with specifics as to what can be discussed and WHY the disclosure is needed.

In this disclosure request, you have to be sure that you do not show methods or modes of operation, procedures, or engineering practices. It can not disclose operational capabilities or limitations.

Otherwise, it is all classified.

Case in point: The Nautilus engineroom if tour ready, but will NEVER be made accessable to the public because of this rule. Each system and component has to be individually evaluated and reviewed to ensure that no current system may be disclosed. The USN would have to totally change how they work in order for the engineroom to be opened.

PeriscopeDepth · 10-05-08, 07:29 PM

When it comes to SSNs/SSBNs, I would have to think for a very long time. They are very, very critical to SIOP type stuff. Besides all the other sneaky stuff I'm sure they do.

PD

MBot · 10-06-08, 01:21 PM

What do you think about technical specs of weapons and sensors?

I guess torpedo calculators of WWII are now unclassfied, right? What about for example the combat systems of the Skipjack SSN? While totaly outdated today, I guess they might still be relevant regarding todays operations.

10-05-08, 12:36 PM	#1
MBot Loader Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Switzerland Posts: 90 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	Classified material in the USN Just out of curiosity, how long does classified material in the USN stays so? Is there a general rule that all documents are unclassified after X years or are there special exceptions (for example nuclear propulsion)?

10-05-08, 01:22 PM	#3
Task Force Rear Admiral Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SPACE!!!! Posts: 10,142 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	Im guessing after the stuff becomes old and is no longer secret they probably do. __________________ Task Force industries "Taking control of the world, one mind at a time"

10-05-08, 02:03 PM	#4
Terror_666 Watch Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Monitoring my back-yard SAM site. Posts: 30 Downloads: 12 Uploads: 0	It is my understanding that classified materials will remain so for X number of years unless it is still relative to current operations. As for nuclear technology that information is also covered under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and will remain "secret" for the foreseeable future. __________________ Evil, Malice, Death, Decay. Just another working day.

10-05-08, 01:08 PM	#2
Frame57 Sea Lord Join Date: May 2008 Location: 1300 feet on the crapper Posts: 1,860 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	Very good question! When I had my debreifing they mentioned nothing about time frames.

10-05-08, 05:58 PM	#5
Bubblehead Nuke XO Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 435 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	With NNPI: it is 99 years, unless you have a waiver signed by the current Navsea08 with specifics as to what can be discussed and WHY the disclosure is needed. In this disclosure request, you have to be sure that you do not show methods or modes of operation, procedures, or engineering practices. It can not disclose operational capabilities or limitations. Otherwise, it is all classified. Case in point: The Nautilus engineroom if tour ready, but will NEVER be made accessable to the public because of this rule. Each system and component has to be individually evaluated and reviewed to ensure that no current system may be disclosed. The USN would have to totally change how they work in order for the engineroom to be opened.

10-05-08, 07:29 PM	#6
PeriscopeDepth Sea Lord Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,894 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	When it comes to SSNs/SSBNs, I would have to think for a very long time. They are very, very critical to SIOP type stuff. Besides all the other sneaky stuff I'm sure they do. PD

10-06-08, 01:21 PM	#7
MBot Loader Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Switzerland Posts: 90 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	What do you think about technical specs of weapons and sensors? I guess torpedo calculators of WWII are now unclassfied, right? What about for example the combat systems of the Skipjack SSN? While totaly outdated today, I guess they might still be relevant regarding todays operations.