Was exploring around the notorious Edwards AFB south base today on an app I use call US Topo Maps. If you don't have it, and like to explore maps
whilst you're bored on your mobile, I highly recommend it. It allows you to compare different satellite imagery databases alongside of one another
using an opacity filter, as well as Aeronautical & Nautical charts.
Anyways, I was exploring using the Google aerial filter, with Bing satellite at a lower opacity.
I was exploring the area around the B-2 shaped walkway, when I noticed something at these coordinates:
34°54'04.25"N 117°52'38.18"W
(34°54'04.25"N 117°52'38.18"W (WGS84))
The image on the left is using the Google maps filter at 100%.
Center image is using the Bing aerial filter.
Right image is using the USGS Orthoimagery USGS EDC HRO filter.
Second image is the center two images zoomed in much closer. Top images are without filter. Bottom images are using Snapseed to enhance/subtract
certain distractions (enhancing shadows, lowering saturation, etc)
At first, this looked to me like an X-45, which was tested at South base or another one of it's variant, angled around 45° to present it in
midflight.
But doesn't it seem odd(and slightly offensive?) to put a statue of a Boeing project right on top of a Northrop
inspired walkway, no?
Then I remembered the air forces artist rendition of the B-21....
The shadows in the satellite images seem to show a difference than that of the B-2's aft section(there are, of course, many distortion effects that
could alter the satellite image)
But very similar to the air forces B-21 rendition photo and X-45 wings.
What do you guys think?
edit on 9142016 by HomeyKXTA because: Repeat