5th Sept 2017 Nevada crash

a reply to: BigTrain

The program delays hit. As with any big program there were protests, and problems, and delays. The original plan had the rollout happening then, but as usual, the real world and politics hit. The program is currently something like 18 months behind where they wanted to be.

You stand down the base for the same reason you stand down other units after a fatal crash. The community is close knit, and this would hit them hard. It gives them time to let it hit home and keeps another accident happening because someone's head isn't where it should be.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
You stand down the base for the same reason you stand down other units after a fatal crash. The community is close knit, and this would hit them hard. It gives them time to let it hit home and keeps another accident happening because someone's head isn't where it should be.

Been through a few of those. You have it exactly right.

a reply to: Zaphod58
18 monthS behind, so in you opinion when we can hope to see the public roll out of B-21 ?

a reply to: darksidius

Probably late next year or early 2019. Once they pass CDR it's just a matter of building the prototype, which is what will be rolled out.

a reply to: Zaphod58

I hope so

I heard, thou not confirmed, that it was "Maverick" recreating the infamous "Bird" scene on the production of Top Gun 2, with the Sukhoi Su-27 when something went wrong.....no details have been released because of confidentiality clauses with the filming of the movie......

a reply to: Blackfinger

Maybe, but it still sounds like a lot of speculation and guesswork. We still really don't know anything for sure. Hopefully, more info will be released or better-informed sources will confirm or disconfirm the theories.

AviationWeek.com correspondent Guy Norris wrote late Monday, September 11, that, “Sources indicate Schultz was the Red Hats squadron commander at the time of his death. The Red Hats became an unnumbered unit within the Detachment 3, AFTC test wing after the 413th flight test squadron (formerly 6513th test squadron) was deactivated in 2004. Over recent years the unit has operated a variety of Russian-developed combat types, including the MiG-29 and several Sukhoi-developed models such as the Su-27P, one of which was recently observed flying in the vicinity.”

Here is the source, but the rest of the article is filler.

theaviationist.com...

Just to play devil's advocate (I'm not saying this is what really happened), but if he was working on a black project, don't you think they'd come out with something like the Red Hats having an accident?

First, it would be a project that they haven't admitted to existing, so either they'd have to kick the door open and admit it exists, or come up with a story that makes sense.

Second, if it was something that they were developing, and it crashed, that would be a huge hit for the funding for that program. So, again, they'd have to come up with a story that makes sense.

While it is entirely possible that yes, he was the Red Hat commander and went down in a foreign aircraft, that's really the only thing they COULD say that would be almost universally believable.

a reply to: Zaphod58

I gave you a "star" for that hypothesis. However, we need to think of the death of pilot in a black project on the past and how that was handled. Would Walt Ray do?

originally posted by: gariac
a reply to: Zaphod58

I gave you a "star" for that hypothesis. However, we need to think of the death of pilot in a black project on the past and how that was handled. Would Walt Ray do?

Nice article 928 pull.

a reply to: gariac

The difference between then and now is billions of dollars. The SR-71 cost about $34M an airframe. The F-117, in 1998 dollars, was about $112M. The B-21, estimated at $511M by CAPE. You think they're going to take a chance with that kind of money? Or that the program wouldn't take a huge hit if one crashed?

B21 would at least be a 2 seater "IF" they had a prototype.Only thing from that program would be the tech demonstrator.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: gariac

The difference between then and now is billions of dollars. The SR-71 cost about $34M an airframe. The F-117, in 1998 dollars, was about $112M. The B-21, estimated at $511M by CAPE. You think they're going to take a chance with that kind of money? Or that the program wouldn't take a huge hit if one crashed?

Walt was in an A-12 flying for the CIA.

The difference is Walt crashed in free territory, much like the "Bakersfield" F-117.

I'm not sure money matters here. Nobody likes their project put in a bad light.

a reply to: Blackfinger

And if it was more than one person, and one got out and survived, there is zero reason to mention them.

a reply to: gariac

You don't think money matters? You're talking about programs that are reaching into the billion dollar mark of profits. And an accident in one would do more than just put a program into bad light. Depending on the cause, it could seriously hurt it.

The KC-46 is looking at a contract worth over $43B when all is said and done. Even with the overruns that Boeing is paying, they're looking at making obscene amounts of money. You don't think that money matters? Seriously?

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: gariac

You don't think money matters? You're talking about programs that are reaching into the billion dollar mark of profits. And an accident in one would do more than just put a program into bad light. Depending on the cause, it could seriously hurt it.

The KC-46 is looking at a contract worth over $43B when all is said and done. Even with the overruns that Boeing is paying, they're looking at making obscene amounts of money. You don't think that money matters? Seriously?

Do you think for a picosecond Boeing (for example) will be part of a lie when there is a dead body involved? No, money doesn't matter compared to a lawsuit and subsequent bad press. Hell I still refuse to buy Exxon gas and it had been decades since the Valdez.

This stuff always leaks. If the crash is a XYZ, they will not lie and say it was in a Sukoi.

a reply to: gariac

Ok, sure. If you say so. Because they've never once lied when someone was killed and shoved it under a rug. Keep telling yourself that.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: gariac

Ok, sure. If you say so. Because they've never once lied when someone was killed and shoved it under a rug. Keep telling yourself that.

As always, I expect evidence to be provided to back up claims. Yes I am familiar with Barry Seigel.

Hell, what's the point. You're tight, there are no cover ups. It's all in our heads.