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War is Boring, everybody's favorite f-35 hater site, is reporting the Lockheed demonstrator was publicly seen in July. Anyone have another source?

a reply to: stratsys-sws

The image of the B-2 next to the B-1 north of the hanger used to be on Bing maps not long back, I remember looking at it around 6 months ago. Obviously updated imagery now

a reply to: nelloh62

Can you do your photo shop magic on the pic I put on page 6 and put it over your pic you did?

a reply to: anzha

Between AvWeek and them, I'd say we have pretty good evidence that something was seen. We can't say for certain it was the "SR-72", but it was something that matches what the shape should look like at least.

originally posted by: anzha
War is Boring, everybody's favorite f-35 hater site, is reporting the Lockheed demonstrator was publicly seen in July. Anyone have another source?

It would be you or Zaph with any other sources on here I would of thought you both tend to find things quickly.

a reply to: Zaphod58

I would say so. The Avleak article seemed like a quick damage control piece from the get go. The wib articles are stronger with its claims, but given wib, I'd like another white source. Preferably with a pic.

The SR-72 has been a grey bird from the start. It almost feels like Lockheed is worried they are losing out on a funding stream and are trying to do a polecat here. That's a gut feeling, no proof other than the DARPA award. Am I badly off, zaph?

a reply to: anzha

I doubt you're going to get a pic. If it was a demonstrator, it almost certainly was early morning, before sunrise. Unless they had a decent night vision setup they might have gotten lights, if it was lit up.

I think they're pretty set with funding, but they want people to know it's in testing. Kind of an "in your face" thing to other countries. Russia and China have been pushing their hypersonic weapons systems lately, so this is a form of upping the anty. Think of it as the ultimate game of one-upmanship.

a reply to: Zaphod58

If the materials used to create the SR72 withstand the speeds and temps of hypersonic flight then that would surely benefit the hypersonic weapons programme?

a reply to: Woody510

With MHD you would have enough energy to make plasma boundary layer control and maybe even a laser or plasma air spike so allot of the got atmosphere would even touch the craft, but plasma has its own issues.


if its a hypersonic AIRcraft there are only so many ways to skin a cat as far as shape goes. I wonder if they will be able to use plasma actuators to help reduce the sonic boom.

i get the animations are pretty close, the square inlets however are a little suspect, if i had to guess it would have inlets that look alot like the sr71, with a turbine scramjet combo. and i bet she glows a pretty color.

a reply to: Woody510

Hehe, here you go mate, there are 4 images in the link

imgur.com...

a reply to: nelloh62

Certainly seems to fit quite well doesn't it. Nice job btw thanks for doing that

a reply to: Woody510

Yes and no. If you have a new ceramic material that works, but it's, for the sake of this example, $2M a foot, you don't want to put it on a one time use weapon that's just going to blow it up. But it gives you a start point to try to develop a cheaper version.

originally posted by: nelloh62
a reply to: Woody510

Hehe, here you go mate, there are 4 images in the link

imgur.com...

Nice but there have been rumors about increased activity at the South Base for years. I'd put my money on the B-21 still.
Lockheeds Bird is more likley housed at the souther hangar at Groom.

www.thedailybeast.com...

just came across this article referencing the av one

a reply to: nelloh62

I know what hanger that is. Interestingly its also a bomber hanger. Which raises even more questions. You dont think that this new bird could be based off another existing bird maybe? Or do the rolls of two prior different birds now that the kinks have been ironed out and technology matured?

originally posted by: BASSPLYR
a reply to: nelloh62

I know what hanger that is. Interestingly its also a bomber hanger. Which raises even more questions. You dont think that this new bird could be based off another existing bird maybe? Or do the rolls of two prior different birds now that the kinks have been ironed out and technology matured?

Now that IS interesting that the building is also a bomber hanger. And what is the smaller building behind it used for ?
I dunno, if I had to guess, maybe that hanger with the shadow could house something else as well. You think there might have been two crafts with different roles? I suppose anything is possible.

I think science and tech has come to a nexus point in which all the wrinkles have been ironed out for things to progress forward.Just need to think of what has failed in the past (skins,engines,systems) for them to overcome them today..I think 3D printing and its materials application has given things a good shove forward.
I definatly think Bass is correct in that lessons learned on slightly different platforms have paved the way forward..Need an evolution tree
I have a feeling things like the Waverider have had a hand it as well.

We are ready to see the next leap in Aerospace technology , when I was Young the Sr-71 made me dreaming and now I would love to see her son

a reply to: darksidius

This! SO MUCH!

Same here!

a reply to: nelloh62

Yours was a good find. I remember months ago you alerting me to that curious shadow and going sonething akin to am i seeing what i think im seeing here. Sure seems like it. Great eyes and good job on the work with the images you supplied. Its definitly food for thought.