And we have returned from the desert once again

a reply to: Slys13

Our first trip to Tonopah, we caught a UAV out on the ramp, but couldn't get decent pics of it. Our second trip, we caught the F-117s flying. This trip, we caught some interesting radio chatter, and pics that won't see the light of day. I've heard of people going out for years hunting these things and never even getting close to that much.

a reply to: Zaphod58

This trip, we caught some interesting radio chatter, and pics that won't see the light of day.

That’s the Zaph I’ve learned to come to love.

Again, great stuff — even the stuff y’all did let us see

a reply to: Zaphod58

I think not too specific question. Are there just UAVs on those pics that won't see light of a day?

a reply to: SpeedFanatic

considering they got a nighthawk, that we know at least some of have been modified to test various systems on the jet and against the jet my guess is that it was either a jamming type aircraft or or maybe even a B-21 and using the nighthawk like part of the family(as a stand in)

a reply to: penroc3

Wouldn't you like to know.

We're a long way from 100% identification, even if we were going to go public. We were a long way out (10+ miles) in the middle of the night, with a lot of heat haze still in the air. So we may never be certain, beyond "it looks like...."

a reply to: Zaphod58

so they were flying at the same time? the nighthawk and the mystery? nighttime flight hmmm... im going to guess manned aircraft.

a reply to: penroc3

No, the Nighthawks don't come over to where we were. That was a previous trip that we saw them. The aircraft we saw was alone.

a reply to: Zaphod58

last question, any interesting flight characteristics? what drew your attention to it?

a reply to: penroc3

We caught it visually. We did our usual scan and saw it.

originally posted by: penroc3
a reply to: Zaphod58

last question, any interesting flight characteristics? what drew your attention to it?

I can't really add anything else to what Zaphod has already stated. It would be irresponsible to start speculation until we feel its been properly vetted.

a reply to: FredT

Speaking of which, you have mail.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: FredT

Speaking of which, you have mail.

Im on it LOL. Nothing to see here move along

a reply to: FredT

I can only guess... unfortunately. My bet it was either one of the LRS-B entries or Companion or very very quick green juice... if it it the green juice then wohooo!

Even if we can positively identify it, don't count on answers as to what it is. We've said about all that will be said about that sighting.

a reply to: Zaphod58

sometimes that for the best but maybe us peasants will get a glimpse someday if you saw it then maybe someone else will see it(again).

i have a very good idea of what it was but im not even going to put it out there.

maybe i can get some serbians out there and see if they can get lucky again, but with a camera this time.

I'll play along.

(10+ miles) in the middle of the night, with a lot of heat haze still in the air

Even with a 20+ Megapixel camera hanging off the back of a 400mm lens at that distance and with that much atmospheric distortion at what I'd assume is fairly high ISO even with low shutter speed (someone mentioned a heavy tripod right) it would be very difficult to make much out.

With all that in mind I'm assuming to even have something on an image that you can study it was fairly large which should narrow down the playing field to bomber or large fast recon platform. Nobody would be that excited or worried about a cargo plane.

That's my $0.02

a reply to: PhantomTwo

We actually had a 6" telescope. We could see F-22s sitting out there through it.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Learned long ago not ask...so my question(s) is this: say the brass wants to bust out the bird everyone, hopefully, has come to get that elusive shot of; 1) does the brass experience normal human emotion and like to ‘show off’ and allow a “once-in-a-lifetime” viewing/sighting and show our military air command is ‘swinging from the knees’; 2) IF they do/would, is it “inside baseball” and everyone (viewing public) agrees “loose lips, sink ships” refusing to ever admit/show photographic evidence of said bird?

In summation: is it possible to post up at these bases/place, as y’all did, and catch a glimpse of something probably never to be acknowledged or seen operational at these shows/events (its entertainment, after all, and I’m curious if the brass ever lets something like that to happen)?

a reply to: BeefNoMeat

There has been an occasional "whoops. We. Had. No. Idea. Anyone. Was. There." Amarillo was the latest. Usual it's when they want to send a message to someone. Usually it's more "We didn't have a choice but to be out there" and someone is in the right place at the right time.

I wouldn't be surprised if there are more pics than you think that are kept in private collections just because people don't want to leak them. Either out of concern about a reaction, or because they just don't want to.

a reply to: Zaphod58

C’mon, man! You can’t drop “Amarillo was the latest”...not gonna ask, but damn you, my interest has been piqued and i’ll forever be curious when visiting this forum what it is/was. Thanks, bud...gonna spend a rainy Friday digging through ATS trying to figure out what happened in that West Texas city.




ETA: You’ve been forgiven — I did it to myself by asking