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Additional Skunk Works Secrets
page: 1share:
An article was recently published by Air & Space Magazine:
Secrets of the Skunk Works
While reviewing it, I noticed a planform that Steve Justice disclosed in the article:
Lockheed Configuration VS-07
As the aritcle discusses, a variable sweep planform can help in a dash-to-loiter mission. I understand it will be difficult to hide the wing root at the glove, from RF threats and am curious as to what has been done by Lockheed to mitigate this risk.
Although they allude to the termination of this concept, I believe the planform has promise in supporting the Next-Generation Bomber Family of Systems. Mr. Justice is a sharp, funny guy and wouldn't put it past him to have another plan in mind.
Secrets of the Skunk Works
While reviewing it, I noticed a planform that Steve Justice disclosed in the article:
Lockheed Configuration VS-07
As the aritcle discusses, a variable sweep planform can help in a dash-to-loiter mission. I understand it will be difficult to hide the wing root at the glove, from RF threats and am curious as to what has been done by Lockheed to mitigate this risk.
Although they allude to the termination of this concept, I believe the planform has promise in supporting the Next-Generation Bomber Family of Systems. Mr. Justice is a sharp, funny guy and wouldn't put it past him to have another plan in mind.
a reply to: TAGBOARD
Awesome Op they mention a mach 25 space plane..........I would love to see more info about that. Also just imagine what they have in those hangers nowadays. Stealth is 40 year old tech. They also mention a a hovering battle platform I wonder if it uses anti-gravity. I would be willing to bet we have it.
The rest of the world is 40 years behind the US in aircraft tech.......40 years.
Awesome Op they mention a mach 25 space plane..........I would love to see more info about that. Also just imagine what they have in those hangers nowadays. Stealth is 40 year old tech. They also mention a a hovering battle platform I wonder if it uses anti-gravity. I would be willing to bet we have it.
The rest of the world is 40 years behind the US in aircraft tech.......40 years.
a reply to: TAGBOARD
You said:
As the aritcle discusses, a variable sweep planform can help in a dash-to-loiter mission. I understand it will be difficult to hide the wing root at the glove, from RF threats and am curious as to what has been done by Lockheed to mitigate this risk.
My reply:
If you want to go that old application route and ignore UFO-like devices, that is where the miracle, shape-changing metals that we sometimes are given hints about come into play. Think about it. A wing or wing root that has no messy actuators but simply changes shape via some manner (throttle setting, wind velocity over wing, or a pilot's thoughts).
You said:
As the aritcle discusses, a variable sweep planform can help in a dash-to-loiter mission. I understand it will be difficult to hide the wing root at the glove, from RF threats and am curious as to what has been done by Lockheed to mitigate this risk.
My reply:
If you want to go that old application route and ignore UFO-like devices, that is where the miracle, shape-changing metals that we sometimes are given hints about come into play. Think about it. A wing or wing root that has no messy actuators but simply changes shape via some manner (throttle setting, wind velocity over wing, or a pilot's thoughts).
originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: SubTruth
There are ways to mimic antigravity that isn't antigravity, but it could be mistaken for it.
A bit too cryptic.
Would you please explain what some of these "ways to mimic anti-gravity" that are not anti-gravity might be?
(I once asked you a question about vacuum-cell development that has gone unanswered, BTW)
Thank you!
a reply to: TAGBOARD
Awesome OP. I enjoyed the article and photo gallery. I just wish we could see all 100 slides contained in that box. Of course, the better thing to wish for is working for Skunk Works and contributing to these many wonder projects. And, if wishes were horses, we'd all be eating STEAK! (reference anybody?)
One tidbit from the article I found fascinating is:
[snip]
Awesome OP. I enjoyed the article and photo gallery. I just wish we could see all 100 slides contained in that box. Of course, the better thing to wish for is working for Skunk Works and contributing to these many wonder projects. And, if wishes were horses, we'd all be eating STEAK! (reference anybody?)
One tidbit from the article I found fascinating is:
It takes about one-tenth the time and one-tenth the resources to develop a countermeasure to anything that’s introduced...
[snip]
edit on 1-8-2014 by elevatedone because: (no reason given)
originally posted by: guppy
a reply to: TAGBOARD
Awesome OP. I enjoyed the article and photo gallery. I just wish we could see all 100 slides contained in that box. Of course, the better thing to wish for is working for Skunk Works and contributing to these many wonder projects. And, if wishes were horses, we'd all be eating STEAK! (reference anybody?)
That was my first thought! What's in the booooox? (reference anybody?)
[edit by]edit on 30-7-2014 by keeley because: trying to embed the image
a reply to: [post=18213965]TAGBOARD[/post
Pretty interesting pictures in there. I too hope the VS07 gets developed.
Regarding variable geometry 2.0. I often wonder what happened to the x53 ideas and if that ever got developed into something more advanced like shape changing metals like aliensun mentioned. A wing or at least part of it that could flew at will. And if so if they ever applied those concepts to other plane forms. Could think of many uses where this Variable Geometry 2.0/ MAW could come in handy.
I'm thinking no joints or seams. good for lower RCS? Good for smoothing airflow? Gotta be good for something. They dumped a lot of money into that project.
I bet it's made its way somewhere and onto something. And it does more than just loiter and dash.
Pretty interesting pictures in there. I too hope the VS07 gets developed.
Regarding variable geometry 2.0. I often wonder what happened to the x53 ideas and if that ever got developed into something more advanced like shape changing metals like aliensun mentioned. A wing or at least part of it that could flew at will. And if so if they ever applied those concepts to other plane forms. Could think of many uses where this Variable Geometry 2.0/ MAW could come in handy.
I'm thinking no joints or seams. good for lower RCS? Good for smoothing airflow? Gotta be good for something. They dumped a lot of money into that project.
I bet it's made its way somewhere and onto something. And it does more than just loiter and dash.
Looks like some of the "ideas/concepts were pretty darn close to what eventually flew. So, maybe some of the ideas and concepts we see today in the
ads, promo films, etc., aren't as far off the mark as we may be lead to believe.
Could just be a simple typo, but there's a big difference between planform and platform. Then again you could be referring to the planform of an
aircraft. Either way excellent find! The vs-07 looks oddly familiar
That's one sexy looking aircraft.
Shame there's no pics of one flying.
Shame there's no pics of one flying.
originally posted by: parad0x122
a reply to: boomer135
Oh? Really?
Not a CG mockup?
No not a cg mockup. A real pic