Mysterious airfield appears in the UAE

A previously unknown, and unnamed air base has appeared on Google Earth in recent days, in the United Arab Emirates. A concrete airstrip, measuring 9,850 feet long, and 200 feet wide had been seen there before. In recent days Google Earth is showing the complete base, and it's much larger than previously seen.

The runway has arrestor cables on both ends, in case of an emergency landing. In one corner there are 10 shelters capable of parking two fighters in each shelter. A parking area just slightly smaller than the one at Al-Udeid air base is being built. It measures roughly 3300 feet, by 1300 feet. The parking area at Al-Udeid is capable of handling 40-50 KC-135s or B-1s.

The base is located near the border with Oman, and Saudi Arabia, about as far into the UAE as you can get, away from Iran.

The unnamed airfield in its current form. Credit: Google Earth

Previously a concrete airstrip, the airfield has recently been the subject of a rapid expansion program. The original runway is now a parallel taxiway to a much longer 3,000 m (9,850 ft.) long, 60 m (200 ft.) main runway. New parking aprons have been constructed or are currently being built.

Imagery of the entire base has only become available on Google Earth in the last few days, previously only half the site could be viewed.

What is clear is that the UAE armed forces have prepared this site for fighter deployments and operations. The runway is equipped with arrestor cables at each end in case of emergency while the ramp in the south west corner has 10 sun shelters ready for two fighters each.

aviationweek.com...

DELETED

Jude11

a reply to: jude11

Because it's not just for Area 51. It's the Area 51 and other Facilities forum.

a reply to: Zaphod58

But no aircraft yet?

Stay tuned…

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: jude11

Because it's not just for Area 51. It's the Area 51 and other Facilities forum.

Ok, got it.

Just going by the majority of other threads.



Jude11

a reply to: intrptr

It's not complete yet. Although as the article said it may be similar to the Australian bases, where they complete them, and leave them empty most of the time.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Why do they do that?

a reply to: Domo1

Because if there ever is a war, and they're attacked, then their interior is much easier to defend, and has a lot more room. So they planned to build airfields that held everything they'd need, but the aircraft, and then just reposition the aircraft as needed.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Aren't they also in negotiations to buy Rafale's off France?

a reply to: Greathouse

It's an on again/off again negotiation. They also fly the most advanced F-16 ever built anywhere.

It's kind of an interesting deal. They're offering up to 10 Mirage 2000-9s to Iraq, and would buy as many as 40 Rafales, as well as get other Mirage fighters upgraded.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Yeah, I caught an article from March 12th were they were talking about it again. Sounds like they will need more storage facilities if they acquire the deal. But in reality who knows it's purpose, it might also be a base used for airstrikes against Yemen and Isis.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
The base is located near the border with Oman, and Saudi Arabia, about as far into the UAE as you can get, away from Iran.

Nice find, but bah I hate it when they reference GE but don't post the coordinates. Will have to find it, pin it and keep an eye on it in the future.

EDITED TO ADD:
22°46'24.88"N, 55° 3'47.02"E
Any clue what this is, north of the runway?

a reply to: FosterVS

Covered storage or hangars to keep satellites guessing and dummies like us asking, whats in there?

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: jude11

Because it's not just for Area 51. It's the Area 51 and other Facilities forum.

Are you suggesting, by the placement of your OP in this forum, that it's somehow connected to ET or black OPs?

a reply to: Bilk22

I am suggesting that it's a military base, placed in the forum FOR military bases and installations.

a reply to: FosterVS

It looks like it's going to be some sort of shelter, or hangar space, judging by the taxiways that end right at it. I'd say probably hangars for larger aircraft maybe, but I'm not sure.

Arrestor gear at both ends? Sounds like a base to practice carrier landings on. Arrestor gear has no purpose without a tail hook. It also requires a lot of out off sight machinery to operate. They aren't just a wire across the landing zone. Perhaps a hidey hole for extra carrier aircraft in a pinch.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: Bilk22

I am suggesting that it's a military base, placed in the forum FOR military bases and installations.

Didn't realize the Area 51 forum was for that. Figured Military Projects, but hey what's the difference? Besides maybe that new air field is a black OPs project

Area 51?

a reply to: datasdream

You do realize that most fighters have a hook right? Even ones that DON'T land on carriers.