Looks like our boys saw something cool out there

a reply to: Zaphod58

I know there are rumors of a "big darkstar" that may or may not have actually flown, but what would be the odds of a "big sentinel" or something similar?

Given Lockheed's penchant for churning out design demonstrators a-la the Polecat, is there a possibility that the RQ-180 was a N-G bird but the Skunk Works still cranked out a ~130' wingspan RQ-170 as a low-cost, low-risk option, perhaps as a Global Hawk replacement?

Beast of Edwards?

Apologises if this was already discussed, but this link states that the B21 was going to Edwards and would be it's home for testing "sooner than people think" and the date on the article was back in March.

tinyurl.com/y8fxo9jc


??

a reply to: pigsy2400

No doubt its already flying. The question is is the image we got from Edwards that or something else or just a B-2? There is plenty of evidence that they are well along in production and flying it. Heck a few nights before they left a B-2 out for over 24 hours outside of the NG hangers at Plant 42 which to me implies something more important than a strategic bomber was being built inside

a reply to: FredT

Yeah that was rather interesting. It looked like it didn't have a RAM coating too, which is really surprising that it was out for so long.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: FredT

Yeah that was rather interesting. It looked like it didn't have a RAM coating too, which is really surprising that it was out for so long.

Naked and afraid. Palmdale edition LOL

Hey all, long time lurker but first time posting, however wasn't able to make a new thread.

Had a read through this earlier, could this have been what was seen by the guys???

USAF Unit Moves Reveal Clues To RQ-180 Ops Debut

a reply to: ZebrasKneecaps

Yeah but in my opinion AW gets some key details wrong on what the *RQ-180* actually is.

'Developed to conduct the penetrating ISR mission that has been left unaddressed since the retirement of the Lockheed SR-71 in 1999, the RQ-180 ultimately emerged from what was originally a large unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) design proposed by Northrop Grumman to the Air Force in 2005.'

just nope

a reply to: mightmight

i would think it would need to be manned. i have a feeling it is doing alot more than taking pictures.


obvious what i think it is.

shadows upon shadows

Yes it remember me the Amarillo and the Edwards pictures seen on this forum, surely the disclosure coming slowly

Would we call this the Companion 2.0?

a reply to: Masisoar

Tier 3.1

a reply to: anzha

Kinda, but the mere ISR vehicle already flew in 02. Allegedly.

www.abovetopsecret.com...
www.abovetopsecret.com...

If anything i'd call the 180 and AARS 2.0+ type platform.
The 180 is the vehicle that made the B-21 a thing in the first place. Without it, the AirForce would still be looking at the Next Generation Bomber concept as a do it all in one solution.

a reply to: mightmight

look how old these guys are

a reply to: penroc3

Surprised the BQM-74 isn't on that chart.

a reply to: Masisoar

Northrop developed the -74. Ryan didn't become part of Northrop until 99, when they bought Teledyne.