CIA Restores Iconic Cold War Spy Plane at Headquarters

Painstaking effort underway to preserve A-12 reconnaissance aircraft that once flew at 80,000 feet over Soviet territory.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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The CIA is undertaking an extensive restoration project to preserve an A-12 spy plane that sits outside the agency's headquarters in Langley, Virginia. The A-12, a pioneering Cold War-era reconnaissance aircraft, was developed in the late 1950s to fly at high altitudes and speeds beyond the reach of Soviet air defenses. After being displayed at CIA headquarters since 2007, the plane has required painstaking conservation work to protect it from the elements and ensure it remains a symbol of the "golden age of overhead reconnaissance."

Why it matters

The A-12 represents a pivotal era of Cold War intelligence gathering when the U.S. urgently needed aircraft that could fly higher and faster than Soviet air defenses. As a "macro artifact" of CIA history, preserving the A-12 honors the agency's past innovations and the pilots who risked their lives flying these demanding aircraft.

The details

Constructed largely from titanium composites, the A-12 was designed to expand at extreme speeds and altitudes, an advantage in flight but a liability on the ground. Over time, the plane has suffered from issues like insect and mold infiltration, as well as repeated paint adhesion failures. The CIA has consulted with other museums that display A-12 aircraft to develop the best conservation methods, ultimately opting to recoat the plane using durable automotive paint to protect it from the elements.

  • The A-12 arrived at CIA headquarters in Langley in 2007.
  • In 2018, the agency completed one major cleaning and recoating of the aircraft.
  • In the summer of 2025, CIA experts visited other museums to consult on preservation techniques.
  • The latest restoration was completed just ahead of the 60th anniversary of the A-12's operational readiness in November 1965.

The players

Robert Byer

CIA's museum director, overseeing the preservation of the A-12 spy plane at the agency's headquarters.

Walt Ray

CIA pilot who died in the line of duty in the late 1960s, memorialized by the A-12 display.

Jack Weeks

CIA pilot who died in the line of duty in the late 1960s, memorialized by the A-12 display.

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What they’re saying

“The A-12 is prime real estate here at CIA headquarters. But this plane was not built with the idea of being outside 24/7.”

— Robert Byer, CIA's museum director (CBS News)

“The A-12 was not built for technology's sake; it was built to get us information on the Soviet Union that we couldn't get anywhere else. It's a huge artifact of CIA history, and we're committed to keeping it in the best possible shape for the future.”

— Robert Byer, CIA's museum director (CBS News)

What’s next

The CIA plans to continue monitoring the condition of the A-12 and make any necessary adjustments to the preservation efforts to ensure the iconic aircraft remains in good shape for years to come.

The takeaway

The restoration of the CIA's A-12 spy plane highlights the agency's commitment to preserving the technological innovations and sacrifices of the Cold War era, ensuring this unique piece of history remains a symbol of American intelligence capabilities for future generations.