Flying wing over groom lake

Hello everyone, I hope you're all doing well.
Our friends from "dreamland resort" seems to have spotted a flying wing over groom lake yesterday.



It will just be my guess, but it lokks very similar to the Polecat that was spotted last year in the mojave desert. See the thread here :
www.abovetopsecret.com...

So since it was flying in daylight and leaving contrail, I think it is safe to assume it is a non classified plateform like a polecat (or derivative). I just don't think they would let something secret flying there in broad daylight and leaving contrail when they know there is often spotters around there.
But it is just my guess and I might be wrong.

Here is the dreamlandresort forum :
www.dreamlandresort.com...

Have a good day to you all and happy late halloween !

Ghoul

a reply to: Ghoul

Is it intentional or an effect of the atmosphere that the color of the craft in the original photo so closely matches the background? If the contrails were not present, it would be very hard to see with the naked eye.

a reply to: MDDoxs

It seems to have been taken from a bit of distance and not directly from below so I would go for the atmospheric condition. But aircraft tend to have their skin color adapted to the altitudes of where they typically fly (white/grey for middle altitudes, black for very high)

a reply to: Ghoul

It looks identical to the aircraft spotted over California City and the Philippines. The planform is basically the same as the Northrop Grumman SensorCraft configuration that is widely believed to be the basis for the so-called RQ-180. According to Aviation Week & Space Technology, that platform has been undergoing developmental testing since 2010 and operational test and evaluation since 2014. It may have reached IOC within the past few years. Under the circumstances, this seems a far more likely candidate than Polecat.

Looks like kind of like a B2 Bomber.

a reply to: Ghoul

Thanks

a reply to: Shadowhawk

It could also be ! There is no doubt the RQ-180 is operationnal by now but it could still do some kind of testing.
The reason i'm thinking it could be a Polecat or a deriative is because :
- we know at least one polecat was produced after the program being cancelled.
- it looks very similar to the aircraft spotted over the mojave last year. And when looking at the comparison with the polecat, it looks extremely similar to not say exactly the same.
- since the polecat is not a classified airframe, it wouldn't be a problem for Lockheed to make it fly in daylight to do some testing and it would not be a big deal if it get spotted.

Of course I might be wrong, but it is just my thought process lol. I just think they would be more cautious for a classified airframe. If I had to go for the RQ-180, I would say the philippines shot is more likely to be it, because it is close to night, painted black and on a part of the world where it would make sense operationally.

a reply to: Ghoul

My suspicion is we are seeing an unveiling intentionally. We ought to see an official declaration of what this is in the next few months, if not weeks.

Why do I think its an unveiling, intentionally? China *JUST* showed its hand with two new 5th gen fighters: the J-20S two-seater (really a new bird, guys) and the J-31/J-35/whatever it is called naval 5th gen. In addition, there's the spotting of new airframes at the radar test facility for what appears to be next gen aircraft.

Other gray or black aircraft may poke out in the next few months, too.

a reply to: MDDoxs

I've missed many military aircraft that go right over my house, because they blend in so well with the blue sky. I can hear them, but won't see them. We have such a thin contrail layer that they generally don't leave contrails when they're that high, but I've even had problems with C-130s at 20,000 feet.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: MDDoxs

I've missed many military aircraft that go right over my house, because they blend in so well with the blue sky. I can hear them, but won't see them. We have such a thin contrail layer that they generally don't leave contrails when they're that high, but I've even had problems with C-130s at 20,000 feet.

I presumed, especially for stealth craft, that they would intentionally color them to blend into their operating backgrounds. Invisible to radar and to the eye .

I would imagine that the airforce is not as concerned with being seen, rather it is radar and a weapons lock.

I thought I was seeing things there other day sitting having my morning coffee looking out the window It looked like aircraft of some kind but originating from the clouds "No aircraft " then poof here comes something out of the cloud . I'm an hour outside of Dayton .

originally posted by: anzha
a reply to: Ghoul

My suspicion is we are seeing an unveiling intentionally. We ought to see an official declaration of what this is in the next few months, if not weeks.

Why do I think its an unveiling, intentionally? China *JUST* showed its hand with two new 5th gen fighters: the J-20S two-seater (really a new bird, guys) and the J-31/J-35/whatever it is called naval 5th gen. In addition, there's the spotting of new airframes at the radar test facility for what appears to be next gen aircraft.

Other gray or black aircraft may poke out in the next few months, too.

True, that's a good point. Maybe we will get some glimpse as China is progressing ? Just like we got in 2014 when tensions with russia were high.

Watching. Always watching.

www.thedrive.com...

a reply to: Ghoul

Interesting. Possible that they were flying that while flying something else to test day time observability .

originally posted by: MDDoxs
a reply to: Ghoul

Is it intentional or an effect of the atmosphere that the color of the craft in the original photo so closely matches the background? If the contrails were not present, it would be very hard to see with the naked eye.

Of course the colors are designed for optical camouflage and there are models for optical stealth of course depending on illumination and weather. Generally the higher altitude the darker the color necessary for blending in, hence the dark grey U2 and A-12. And the very light colored RQ-170 which was at lower altitudes (probably for radionuclide capture over Iran).

There could be even variable active illumination to enhance the effect over hostile targets. And there are chemical contrail inhibitors as well as weather models for predicting and avoiding those altitudes & locations when necessary.

Behold.

The White Bat:





www.thedrive.com...

a reply to: anzha

There is also a black plane at 2:34, any idea what that is?

I think they are implying that it will do mach 18 (13810 mph). Even above the atmosphere, to with stand the heat that must be made out of some exotic materials.

How would it get to that speed, a scramjet or something more powerful?

Also, what weapon would it have? Or would it be for recon?


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a reply to: Moohide

The artwork was cribbed from Lockheed Martin concepts for the "SR-72" vehicle.

I wouldn't get too excited about this video. It seems like typical Public Relations fodder. The vehicles illustrated are likely more notional than actual even if they represent real programs or studies.

a reply to: Moohide

There is also a black plane at 2:34, any idea what that is?

No idea. Could be many things. Including fictional.

How would it get to that speed, a scramjet or something more powerful?

Probably scramjet.

Also, what weapon would it have? Or would it be for recon?

I'd bet demonstrator.

a reply to: Shadowhawk

The one moonhide asked about, I agree. The 'White Bat' looks a LOT like the Mojave bird. a lot a lot.