Secret Aircraft

[moldyoldy]

^ StarHalo scooped me. I opened my Aviation Leak infomail a day too late or I would have posted the same info.

however, this incident is generating a lot more than casual interest.

even the German press is reporting on this event.

the video is mildly interesting, not just that video was also recording that Photography is prohibited in this closed area
note also the large alien in front of a Quonset hut...

for those of you who do not read German, here are a couple highlights:
The aircraft that crashed was avowedly NOT an F-35, but no statement as to which aircraft type was involved.
speculation is that it was the Su-27 Flanker-B.
obviously the Soviet Union does not sell it's latest fighters to the US. possibly "acquired" from the Ukraine, or White Russia.
evidently the US uses an Su-27 for training fighter pilots, including flying against F-16s, probably the latest block.

The entire incident becomes curiouser and curiouser.........

 

[moldyoldy]

Here is the Military.com version of the same mysterious crash in Area 51.

 

[moldyoldy]

Update on the Hypersonic SR-72.

from Aviation Leak infomail, some article highlights:

"Amid SR-72 Rumors, Skunk Works Ramps Up Hypersonics"

... technology demonstrator flew in late July <<2017>> with T-38 escorts in to USAF Palmdale Plant 42, HQ of Skunkworks.

... "Security classification guidance will only allow us to say that the speed is greater than Mach 5"

... full size roughly same proportion and size as SR-71. full flight testing in 2020

... flight research vehicles (FRV) will be flying earlier, about the size of an F-22, powered by full-scale combined cycle engine. FRV development starts next year.

... progress towards an optionally piloted SR-72 precursor flight research vehicle (FRV) was proceeding on schedule. <<highlighting mine>>

... however partial testing of different developmental technologies will take place before the FRV flights.

..."hypersonic technology is clearly becoming apparent to everyone as a game changer"

========

waiting impatiently!

 

[vadimax]

If the test pilot has died, most likely he was flying some rare and/or expensive sample. And as every test pilot he was trying to recover control to the last moment clearly putting his life into the equation...

 

[moldyoldy]

not all 'secret' aircraft need to be fast or stealthy. from Aviation Leak: This Bombardier Global 6000 broke cover in the UK on 27 April at Cambridge Airport. an aircraft enthusiast noticed the strange A/C and took a good photo. obviously modifications in progress and testing. The Bombardier Global 6000 can reach FL500 (50K ft). 6000NM range. notice the number of blanked-out windows - lots of equipment in that A/C!

 

[StarHalo]

I see you back there..

 

[Chauncey Gardiner]

StarHalo, You keep posting those kinda pictures and all too soon these guys are gunna show up in your driveway.

~ Cg

 

[moldyoldy]

^^ Amen and ^ Amen!

I am honestly impressed with StarHalo photos.
Makes me wonder how StarHalo can be in the right place at the right time so often.........

as for the black SUVs and black choppers, et al, or perhaps better as et alia, an old Russian expression comes to mind:
the old Secret Service of the Soviet Union was designated as the NKVD.
properly known as "Народный комиссариат внутренних дел",
in English as "People's Commissariat of Internal Affairs".
however, the Russians of that era had their version of the initials: "I do not know when I am coming home".

 

[StarHalo]

That plane is 75 years old (photo #1,) it technically predates the concept of "secret aircraft"

This was developed even before the Germans' Ho229 flying wing fighter; when [what was assembled of] that Nazi plane was confiscated by victorious Allies, it was handed over to Jack Northrop, the guy who was working on the plane afore-pictured. It didn't come to anything during that era, but the idea was revisited later shortly before his death, when he was shown the secret plans for a new flying wing, the B-2, which shares some of the engineering updates introduced by that plane flying around my neighborhood.

 

[moldyoldy]

From Aviation Week, and several other techie sites:

Sierra Nevada Corp announced the successful drop/landing test of the "Dream Chaser" spaceplane.
The Dream Chaser is intended for missions similar to the Space Shuttle, but launch on an Atlas V rocket.
Resupply missions to the Space Station are included.

edit: hmmmm, that image is kinda large. not sure which CPF rule I violated with that size, but am unable to downsize that photo. apologies.
The original image is here.

second edit: the Dream Chaser can be crewed or un-crewed. Un-crewed for max payload to the Space Station.

third edit: per Sierra Nevada Corp website. "The Dream Chaser spacecraft is 30 feet, or 9 meters, long which is roughly ¼ the total length of the Space Shuttle orbiters. The spacecraft can carry the same crew size as the Space Shuttle and can remain docked to the ISS considerably longer."

 

[StarHalo]

"The Dream Chaser spacecraft is 30 feet, or 9 meters, long which is roughly ¼ the total length of the Space Shuttle orbiters. The spacecraft can carry the same crew size as the Space Shuttle and can remain docked to the ISS considerably longer."

I wonder if that's how small a craft you get if you just remove the open cargo area; the original Shuttle is huge..

Other news: Anyone know what plane this is? Fascinating design..

 

[NoNotAgain]

I wonder if that's how small a craft you get if you just remove the open cargo area; the original Shuttle is huge..

Other news: Anyone know what plane this is? Fascinating design..

Looks like a Diamond DA42 Twin Star.

 

[StarHalo]

Looks like a Diamond DA42 Twin Star.

You're right, good eye; very impressive little plane, seats four in a two-seat size body, but still has the safety of two engines. Weighs no more than an SUV fully loaded and cruises at ~220 mph, I know what I'm getting if I win the lottery..

 

[NoNotAgain]

You're right, good eye; very impressive little plane, seats four in a two-seat size body, but still has the safety of two engines. Weighs no more than an SUV fully loaded and cruises at ~220 mph, I know what I'm getting if I win the lottery..

Save your lottery money and get the Pilatus PC12 or the TBM910/930.

A single turbine engine is more fuel efficient, flies further, is quieter and has much more internal room.

A new TBM is covered by a 5 year/ 2000 hour warranty including annual inspections.

 

[BVH]

Twins with single engine out can be extremely challenging to get down in one piece. Rather lose an engine in a single and take my chances on the glide. The Pilatus and TBM's are a dream!

 

[moldyoldy]

FWIW: a bit of old news, but not that old. The Soviets flew their SU-57 in public. claimed to be a 5th Gen stealth A/C to compete with the F-22. well, claimed.

from the Soviets themselves (propaganda included) here.

Depending on which sources you read, this 'new' fighter is either a renamed SU-50 or an upgrade of the SU-35.

However, the latest seems to indicate that the Soviets understand that there are limitations to the SU-57 and want to upgrade it to a 6th Generation, fielded in 2019 or so.

a casual perusal of just the planform of the F-22 vs the SU-57 indicates that the F-22 is stealthier, but the SU-57 is more maneuverable with both nozzles independently vectorable.

however in the words of an USAF general to me, if these fighters ever get close enough to dogfight, many failures have already taken place.

as always, YMMV.

 

[StarHalo]

Save your lottery money and get the Pilatus PC12 or the TBM910/930.

Twins with single engine out can be extremely challenging to get down in one piece. Rather lose an engine in a single and take my chances on the glide. The Pilatus and TBM's are a dream!

Huh, good to know I'm still young enough to be a complete noob at something, ty for the info.

FWIW: a bit of old news, but not that old. The Soviets flew their SU-57 in public. claimed to be a 5th Gen stealth A/C to compete with the F-22. well, claimed.

Since they're openly advertising that they can fly it as a drone, then I wonder how many of the fighters we already have can now be retro-fitted to do the same..

In other news: Some patchy overcast today, guess this guy figured if he was high enough, nobody would notice:

 

[NoNotAgain]

In other news: Some patchy overcast today, guess this guy figured if he was high enough, nobody would notice:

Star, it's hard not to notice an F16.

The ANG base that was located next to where I worked housed A10's and C130J models. Every once and a while, they'd fly in a C5 with some heavy cargo. The police would have to shut dow the roadway for the take off roll due to the engine thrust.

Interesting fact for the Diamond DA42. The engines used are a diesel 4 banger making 170hp each. The DA42 has a sale price of $700k depending on avionics options.

 

[StarHalo]

Star, it's hard not to notice an F16.

That's a strong crop from a 300mm view, he's ~40k feet up. But I'm seeing a pattern with military aircraft taking advantage of overcast conditions..

Interesting fact for the Diamond DA42. The engines used are a diesel 4 banger making 170hp each.

And it's a carbon frame, so the whole thing weighs ~4,000 lbs ready to go; it's basically a flying sport SUV. But I thought the point of redundant engines was safety, if that's not the case then one'll do..

 

[moldyoldy]

the Soviets restarted the TU-160 production line, but modified the bird heavily. now designated the TU-160M2.
check here for photos and commentary.

a possible comparison would be against the US B-1B bomber since they sort of have a similar planform.
both carry cruise missiles and both are "bomb trucks", but that is about the end of meaningful similarities.
the current B-1B was significantly downgraded from the B-1A which originally would have been closer to the TU-160M2 "Белый лебедь" 'White Swan'. because it is colored anti-flash white.
The TU-160M2 has a much higher supersonic speed and is nuclear capable.
apples and oranges.