Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 4.5
Situational Awareness; Distraction
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Procedure; Aircraft; Human Factors
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.
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.