Pictures Of Mystery Plane Over Wichita

Interesting. The USAF is using the delta wing triangular shape a lot lately. As mentioned, it's probably a very efficient shape.

It could be anything, from a new spy plane, drone or bomber.

If it was doing S turns, it may have been trying to reduce speed quickly. Another craft that did S turns was the Space Shuttle when it came back to land.

The vehicle therefore performed a series of four steep S-shaped banking turns, each lasting several minutes, at up to 70 degrees of bank, while still maintaining the 40-degree angle of attack. In this way it dissipated speed sideways rather than upwards.

Space Shuttle

Could this be a new trans-atmospheric or maybe even orbital craft?

a reply to: ionwind

No, it's atmospheric. They also do S turns to gain separation from other aircraft.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Oh okay. Because on the picture Laxpla posted, the aircraft looks like a solid triangle, but if you focus and zoom in, you can see the characteristics of the B-2.

Now for the OP picture of this thread, it is harder to see therefore I can't conclude that to be a B-2. The flying wing type aircraft seems like a reasonable answer.

a reply to: Kuroodo

It does look pretty similar to a B-2, but it's not as big, and it has a slightly different shape to it. At least one company has figured out that a triangle center fuselage works great. You just alter the wing shape slightly to do different missions.

The Russians have been trying to step up surveillance flights over the US, and they apparently have a new toy with which to do it.

Russian spy planes over US

It's part of a treaty. We're both allowed to send spy planes over each other to monitor troop movements and nuclear arms deals.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff of the U.S. military and American intelligence agencies have quietly pushed the White House in recent weeks to deny a new Russian surveillance plane the right to fly over U.S. territory. This week, the White House finally began consideration of the decision whether to certify the new Russian aircraft under the so-called “Open Skies Treaty.” And now the question becomes: Will the spies and generals get their way?

And this is just the public knowledge stuff. Obviously there's more going on than we know.

But I'm going with Russian spy plane.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: ScientiaFortisDefendit

They're not quite the same. The Texas bird has a slight curve where the body is blended into the leading edge of the wing. This aircraft is a straight edge to the leading edge.

One is a soon to be declassified platform, I'm pretty sure the other is an already declassified platform that's in the grey world.

You seem to know a lot about these craft. Have a link or three to share where we can find out about them?

a reply to: ZeroReady

It's not Russian. There is no reason for them to block that plane, because the treaty already limits the gear that can be carried on the aircraft. They're only allowed to carry commercial surveillance gear on board, and can't carry top of the line equipment.

a reply to: ScientiaFortisDefendit

Oh dear god no. They're still black. I just happen to know people that know things, and have cultivated their trust to where they're willing to talk to me.

a reply to: Domo1

That sir is a Russian rig!

a reply to: Donkey_Dean

No, it's American.

I had a uncle who worked for Martin M in contact with Skunkworks projects from the late 70's to early 90's who passed away a few years back. The one thing he always told me was that what you see in production is 15-20+ plus years in the making. Look into what projects the US or Russia was working on in the late 90's and I am sure you will see this aircraft since it is passed 'testing' and is, or seems to be, doing actual ops.

He saw and worked on incredible projects. Some he could and some he could not talk about but in his last few months(cancer) he told some of us some really cool things he worked on. Optics(TADS)..stealth...even certain space programs.

Never underestimate what is out there. Very cool pics.

American I would guess. No need for Russia they have Snowden....

originally posted by: gippers
a reply to: OatDelphi

Considering I could claim to live near the very same base, not really. I'm not trying to say you are a liar, but we both know people can tell stories on the internet. I believe you live near the base, but I can't just take your word for it.

Well this should improve my credibility... These are from my back yard.


This is where they were headed...
And this is what we normally see dipping through the skies in KC...
So trust me, what the OP has presented is not a B2.

a reply to: Zaphod58

You sure?

www.thedailybeast.com...

Pentagon Moves to Block Russian Spy Plane in American Skies

Russian surveillance planes already fly over America, thanks to a long-standing treaty. But a new, ultra-sophisticated spy plane has U.S. military and intelligence bosses spooked.

a reply to: Donkey_Dean

I'm positive. The Russian Air Force currently has a very limited UAV program. They've only started building them in the last few years.

Besides which, I know what these were.

a reply to: Zaphod58

www.thedailybeast.com...
Pentagon Moves to Block Russian Spy Plane in American Skies

Russian surveillance planes already fly over America, thanks to a long-standing treaty. But a new, ultra-sophisticated spy plane has U.S. military and intelligence bosses spooked.

Sorry bro but that is either the new Chinese sword or a Russian rig. The shape gives it up pretty plain. If it was seen, I imagine it was to make a point.

Russia is not far behind US tech in any area, and they have 1000 times our nuclear capability. They in fact claim to be able to counter our drone right now, and given that an advanced radio system just downed one in Crimea I would say they are not bluffing.

a reply to: Donkey_Dean

Sorry "bro" but you don't know what you're talking about. I suggest you go back and try again.

Under the Open Skies treaty, they are allowed to fly MANNED aircraft over the other country. They are only allowed to use commercial off the shelf optical equipment, they can't use top of the line equipment.

And many other flaws in your theory. This is an American black project that is moving into the grey world.

In addition to the Vienna Document, the Open Skies Treaty has provided information about Russia’s military build-up on the Ukrainian border. Signed in 1992, the treaty allows its 34 members to conduct a predetermined number of flights to collect imagery of territory of other members of the treaty. All aircraft must be equipped with specific sensors to ensure that the data collected is not excessively detailed. For example, camera resolution is limited. While some states party to the treaty maintain their own National Technical Means (e.g., imagery satellites) that provide more accurate imagery intelligence, an important goal of the treaty is to enhance confidence amongst parties to the treaty by granting all the opportunity to collect imagery.

www.brookings.edu...

Russia has many production issues right now. They couldn't even build 16 Su-34s and have all the components come out the same. They and China both are just getting into the stealth game, and are a couple decades behind what US tech in the black world is currently at.

They only recently started any kind of large scale production of UAVs. This aircraft is American, no matter how you try to spin it, or how many YouTube videos you add.

a reply to: liejunkie01

I'm just saying that I doubt it is a classified aircraft. Just because we do not know what it is doesn't mean we should jump to conclusions. I stand by my belief that the image is too distorted for anyone to state what it is as a fact.

a reply to: Zaphod58

X-45C maybe? Then again maybe the photo is a fake..

a reply to: gippers

It's a Grey World aircraft. It's not technically classified, but there are no details about it that have been released.

a reply to: Donkey_Dean

It's a more recent design than the X-45. It's only been flying for a few years.