NEW Images from Private Aircraft of the TTR, Groom Lake/Area 51, Papoose Dry Lake

To add to what Zaphod said:
As most know, the only "reasonable" viewpoint of the base is Tikaboo Peak. And thanks to the "weather station" (and likely with gear on Bald Mountain or other spots), they know when someone is up there. AFAIK, they only do significant testing at night, preferably moonless nights. The only scenario I can image is a circumstance where you are on Tikaboo at night, they don't know you are there, and you have the right gear to get pics or video of something on the runway. Assuming they have the runway lights on. Remember, they have had 50+ years to lock down that base. I don't discount the likelihood that a lot of stuff is probably being tested elsewhere. Australia, for one...?

a reply to: FosterVS

Most testing is done now with IR lights. Something was seen going over with normal lighting, and not long after they started swapping out for IR.

There is testing done in Australia, but that's almost exclusively joint programs. Systems for the US alone will sometimes travel to other countries, but for testing against specific systems they use, or that are nearby.

Tyler Rogoway (the War Zone) just wrote a new article which includes pictures of Papoose Lakebed => www.thedrive.com... . down past end of advertisements for Reader Comments.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: FosterVS

Most testing is done now with IR lights. Something was seen going over with normal lighting, and not long after they started swapping out for IR.

Hmm.
www.lifepixel.com...
???

a reply to: FosterVS

The problem is still finding them, and being in the right place. With a base, if you can get an idea when the lights go out. But flying will be a lot harder. Especially if they are low power.

a reply to: FosterVS

It used to be pretty easy, but it was a nuisance, so the AF kept buying up all the land and forcing people out (it's own kind if nuisance). Odds of catching something worth seeing are pretty slim now, but that doesn't keep people from trying.

Why are there so many hangars. They cant all be jets.

a reply to: SpaceBoyOnEarth

There's a lot there. At one point all the F-117s were there, usually one to a hangar. Now they keep most of them disassembled in a few hangars, the ones still flying have their own hangars, test aircraft are in others, and vehicles are stored in some.