"They're working on something out there in the desert. A government black project worth sixty million dollars. Go get it for me, Carl." - The Truth
Black Project is widely considered one of the absolute greatest missions ever created in the Grand Theft Auto series. Orchestrated by the eccentric conspiracy theorist The Truth from the abandoned Verdant Meadows Airfield, the mission tasks Carl Johnson with executing an undercover military heist against Area 69, San Andreas's heavily fortified, restricted government research facility in Bone County.
From evading automated searchlights under cover of darkness to descending into classified subterranean bio-labs and soaring into the desert sky on a prototype Jetpack, this mission tests stealth, shooting accuracy, and aerial navigation.
Mission Briefing & Parameters
- Mission Giver: The Truth (Verdant Meadows Airfield, Bone County)
- Location: Area 69 Military Base, Bone County Desert
- Target Difficulty: Hard
- Reward: Respect +, Permanent Jetpack unlock progression
- Time Constraint: Must penetrate the facility before dawn (05:30 AM in-game clock).
- Recommended Weapons: Thermal Goggles (provided), Sniper Rifle, Silenced 9mm Pistol, M4 Assault Rifle, Combat Shotgun, Full Armor.
Surface Stealth vs Assault: The Two Approaches
The Truth provides CJ with a set of Thermal Goggles to locate military sentries in pitch darkness. You have two ways to penetrate the compound:
- The Stealth Method: Use the Sniper Rifle and Silenced 9mm to shoot out searchlight towers from a distance and pick off guards silently without stepping into bright spotlights.
- The Direct Combat Method: Run directly toward the base gates firing an M4 or Minigun. This triggers sirens and a five-star response, but as long as you breach the bunker door quickly, the surface alarm turns off once inside the interior complex.
Step-by-Step Tactical Walkthrough
Phase 1: Infiltrating the Base Perimeter Before Dawn
You begin on the desert cliff overlooking Area 69 at 20:00 (8:00 PM). You have until 05:30 AM to enter the bunker:
- Sprint down the hill toward the outer chain-link fence.
- Equip your Sniper Rifle. Shoot the heavy floodlights positioned atop the wooden guard towers to plunge the patrol paths into total darkness.
- Snipe the two patrol guards marching along the outer perimeter path.
- Head toward the control tower in the center of the base. Climb the outdoor stairs to access the control terminal.
- Press the action switch to open the blast doors, OR shoot open the mesh cover of the ventilation shaft on the southern bunker roof to drop straight down into the air ducts.
Phase 2: Disabling the Surface SAM Missile Batteries
Before proceeding into the deep laboratories, locate the SAM Site control panel inside the surface defense station:
- Destroying this terminal permanently disables Area 69's surface-to-air missile launchers.
- Why this matters: If you skip this terminal, SAM missile batteries will lock onto CJ with heat-seeking rockets the second you take off with the Jetpack at the climax of the mission, blowing you out of the sky.
Phase 3: Subterranean Corridors & Laboratory Shootout
Descend the concrete security staircase into the subterranean research sector:
- Equip your Combat Shotgun or M4 Assault Rifle. Military guards armed with MP5s and SPAS-12 shotguns guard every hallway junction.
- Clear out the armory room to grab a full Body Armor pickup and a free Minigun spawn.
- Follow the yellow blip down to the bio-research containment labs.
- Locate the Chief Scientist standing inside the glass observation office.
- Point any firearm at the scientist. Do not shoot him; he will panic, throw his keycard onto the tiled floor, and raise his hands. Walk over the glowing green keycard to unlock the security bulkheads.
Phase 4: Stealing the Jetpack
Swipe the keycard at the heavy blast doors and step onto the metal catwalk overlooking the giant missile silo launch bay:
- Six elite commandos defend the lower platform. Lean over the catwalk railing and eliminate them using rifle bursts.
- Walk down the circular metal staircase to the central hydraulic platform.
- Walk directly into the glowing prototype Jetpack to strap it onto CJ's back.
Phase 5: Launch Silo Ascent & Flying to The Truth
Mastering Jetpack controls is simple once you know the inputs:
- Hold the sprint / ascend button to activate the twin turbine thrusters.
- Fly straight up through the open concrete launch shaft, dodging gunfire from soldiers on the upper gantry.
- Once clear of the bunker roof, steer northeast toward the desert airstrip at Verdant Meadows.
- If you disabled the SAM site earlier, no surface missiles will fire at you. If you forgot, fly close to the canyon floor to break radar lock.
- Land gently on the wooden platform next to The Truth's camper van at the abandoned airstrip to complete the mission.
Mission Rewards & Story Progression
- Respect Bonus: Substantial Grove Street respect increase.
- Unlocked Next Mission: Unlocks Green Goo for The Truth, where CJ uses the Jetpack to raid a heavily defended military transport train.
- Permanent Asset Bonus: Completing the subsequent Green Goo mission unlocks the permanent Jetpack spawn right beside the Verdant Meadows savehouse, allowing you to fly anywhere across the map in free roam anytime you wish.
Video Walkthrough: Black Project
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you enter the underground labs in Black Project?
There are two ways into the underground labs: shoot the control tower terminal on the surface to open the main blast doors, or shoot the ventilation air grate located near the south bunker wall and drop down the air duct shaft.
Why is it important to destroy the SAM missile sites in Black Project?
Destroying the surface SAM missile defense terminals stops anti-air homing missiles from firing at CJ when he flies out of the missile silo with the Jetpack. If the SAM sites remain operational, surface missiles will shoot down the Jetpack within seconds of takeoff.
What is the time limit for Black Project?
You must infiltrate the Area 69 base before 05:30 AM in-game time. Once 05:30 AM arrives, daylight triggers an immediate base-wide lockdown, failing the stealth phase.
Can you use the Jetpack permanently after Black Project?
After completing Black Project and the subsequent mission "Green Goo", a permanent Jetpack spawn icon appears outside the savehouse trailer at the Verdant Meadows Airfield.
How do you get the keycard for the lab doors in Black Project?
In the lower laboratory, locate the keycard room where a military scientist is holding the keycard. Aim a gun at the scientist without shooting him; he will panic, drop the keycard on the floor, and raise his hands.