************************************************* AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY October 1, 1990 ************************************************* SECRET ADVANCED VEHICLES DEMONSTRATE TECHNOLOGIES FOR FUTURE MILITARY USE Advanced secret aircraft developed at highly classified government facilities in the Nevada desert over the last decade are demonstrating and validating new technologies for the U.S.'s future fighters, bombers and reconnaissance platforms. Although facilities in remote areas of the Southwest have been home to classified vehicles for decades, the number and sophistication of new aircraft appear to have increased sharply over the last 10 years, when substantial funding was made available for "deep black" projects. Vehicles now flying from these well-guarded sites include both manned and unmanned hypersonic-capable aircraft designed to perform strategic reconnaissance and other, less conventionally defined missions. The classified fleet also comprises a number of large-winged concept demonstrators that evolved into the Air Force's B-2 bomber and the Navy's A-12 next-generation attack aircraft. Several vehicles, though, appear to incorporate technologies that outstrip those now employed by engineers charged with developing more traditional, current-generation aircraft. A number of these aircraft have been seen and heard repeatedly by ground-based and airborne observers in the western U.S. over the last few years. Based on about 45 reports provided by people who have seen, heard or had access to the advanced aircraft, there now appear to be at least two - but probably more - distinct types of vehicles! * A triangular-shaped, *quiet* aircraft seen with a flight of Lockheed F-117A stealth fighters several times since the summer of 1989. This may be a demonstrator or prototype of the General Dynamics/McDonnell Douglas A-12. Navy officials recently noted that full-size test models will soon be "exposed to public view" during testing, suggesting that predecessors of the A-12 are already flying. * A high-speed aircraft characterized by a very loud, deep, rumbling roar reminiscent of heavy-lift rockets. When observed at medium altitude, this aircraft type often makes a pulsing sound and leaves a thick, segmented smoke trail or contrail. Lighting patterns indicate the aircraft is on the order of 100+ ft. long, but no reliable description of a planform has been reported to Aviation Week & Space Technology. * A high-altitude aircraft that crosses the night sky at extremely high speed. Normally, *no engine noise or sonic boom is heard*. The vehicle typically is observed as a single, *bright light* - sometimes pulsating - flying at speeds far exceeding other aircraft in the area, and at altitudes estimated to be above 50,000 ft. Such aircraft have been reported by both ground-based and airborne observers. This may be the same vehicle as the one characterized by a loud, pulsing noise when flying at lower altitude and slower speed... ...These primary types of "black" aircraft appear to employ relatively conventional propulsion systems, although more advanced than those available to the "white" world. In addition, there is substantial evidence that another family of craft exists that relies on *exotic propulsion and aerodynamic schemes not fully understood at this time*. Data pertaining to this type of vehicle are being studied by Aviation Week and several consultants. The variety of highly classified "black world" aircraft has prompted industry experts to suggest that the term "Aurora," which has been used in reference to a purported new classified hypersonic aircraft, may be inappropriate. Instead, Aurora may be one of several code names, all referring to a class of aircraft designed for multiple missions. A line item identified as "Aurora" in a Fiscal 1986 Procurement Program document dated Feb. 4, 1985, supposedly was simply one "site" for B-2 bomber funds when that program was highly classified, according to a government official. Listed under the "Other Aircraft" category, "Aurora" was projected to receive sharply increased funding. The Fiscal 1986 budget request for Aurora - $80.1 million - jumped to $2.272 billion in Fiscal 1987, according to the document. ...Several of the secret aircraft believed to be based in Nevada may be experimental or prototypes. At least one type has advanced to the production and deployment phases, and may be capable of hypersonic flight, according to officials who have been closely associated with classified programs at several Nevada test sites in recent years. One senior official said, "We don't really do anything strictly for experimental reasons. There's usually an operational twist." Several of these people had hands-on experience with a number of the classified vehicles. Although prevented from discussing specific projects, these individuals said, "There are bigger and better things out there," referring to aircraft based at the Nevada test locations... ...Knowledgeable government officials, charged with oversight and funding of military programs, however, continue to be extremely skeptical of reports about secret hypersonic aircraft based in Nevada. One respected official said he is confident that there is no such thing as a class or family of high-speed aircraft code-named Aurora, either in name or in fact. Industry experts who have worked on "deep black" programs, however, believe that it would be highly unusual for all but a very few political officials to have access to or knowledge of these programs. History has shown, they maintain, that elected officials and their staffs are poor security risks. Sensitive information, they say, will invariably be leaked through these channels if it is perceived politically advantageous to do so. * The preceeding article was quoted only in part. It was much too long to quote in its entirety. I suggest that you find the Oct. 1, 1990 issue of Aviation Week & Space Technology for it is a fascinating article. This is the first time they have even ad- mitted to any unusual activity at the Nevada test site other than earlier sightings of F-177As. Be sure to read the next message for another article pertaining to the same thing from the same issue. MULTIPLE SIGHTINGS OF SECRET AIRCRAFT HINT AT NEW PROPULSION, AIRFRAME DESIGNS Multiple reports from well-qualified observers lend substantial credence to the existence of numerous secret aircraft flying from remote bases in the southwestern U.S., regardless of the political, funding or technical arguments against that probability. Over the past 13 months, large, triangular wing-shaped aircraft characterized by a relatively quiet propulsion system have been the objects of at least 11 sightings near Edwards, AFB, Calif., and one near Fresno, Calif. These are supported by additional reports of similar vehicles seen and heard around remote central Nevada communities near government ranges operated by the Energy Dept. and the Air Force. Possibly prototypes of concept demonstrators of the Air Force B-2 or Navy A-12, the fairly flat, triangular-shaped vehicles have a rounded nose, rounded wingtips and probably no vertical tail surfaces. The flying wings' trailing edges may be slightly curved, but definitely are not sawtooth-shaped like those of the Air Force's B-2 bomber, according to reports received so far. One ovserver in Nevada described the shape as "like a manta ray." Key sightings include: * A daytime observation near the Tehachapi mountains (about 30 mi. northwest of Edwards AFB) in early May verified this craft's triangular shape. Numerous earlier sightings had been at night, although several were under a near-full moon that provided enough illumination to identify a large, triangular planform. The Tehachapi report noted that the aircraft was light-colored, but had a dark area near the center of the trailing edge, presumed to be the engine exhaust area. * On the night of May 3, 1990, a quiet aircraft matching the triangular description was reported by five different observers over a 4-hr. period. One or more of the aircraft made multiple passes over Tehachapi, Mojave, Lancaster and Palmdale, Calif., during this time. * A triangular aircraft also has been seen flying with multiple-ship Lockheed F-117A flights. Typically, the stealth fighters fly alone, spaced about 8-10 min. apart - a general pattern that has characterized F-117 operations since they were first observed in California in mid-1989. However, on several occasions, the larger, traingular aircraft appeared on the same general flight path as the F-117As. It was seen after about three or four of the stealth fighters had passed, yet was ahead of another three or four. It has been spotted repeatedly over the northern end of the Antelope Valley, near Edwards AFB and Mojave, Calif., as well as in central Nevada. This vehicle is quiter that the F-117As - which already are substantially quieter than an F-15 or F-16 - and definitely larger. It normally displays a lighting pattern similar to that of the F-117s - single amber lights under the wingtips and a red beacon near the nose - but can be distinguished by its characteristic hushed engine noise and larger planform. All observer descriptions of the triangular aircraft correlated closely, and the observer who reported seeing the vehicle before sunset sketched a top view. That sketch matched descriptions of similar vehicles supposedly seen in Nevada-based government hangars several years ago and flying in military operating areas nearby... ...A totally separate, distinctly different type of aircraft seen and heard in California and Nevada over the last year is characterized by a loud, very deep, rumbling engine noise, At times, the exhaust noise is punctuated by a slow-frequency (about 1 Hz.) pulsing sound, which has prompted observers to call this aircraft the "pulser." The aircraft also produces a sausage-link-shaped smoke trail or vapor contrail when it is pulsing. This vehicle is not the triangular-shaped aircraft discussed earlier, and may be capable of hypersonic speeds. At other times, however, the aircraft exhibits a more continuous noise without the pulsing characteristic. Observers are confident it is the same type of aircraft, based on its distinctive deep, loud roar. There have been multiple reports of "pulser" flights, including: * The first, in July, 1989, at about 3 a.m. near Edwards AFB, Calif. The vehicle was at medium altitude, flying very fast and exhibiting the characteristic pulsing sound. The "pulser's" position was marked by a *white glow*, rather than a distinct point of light. * An early evening takeoff from Edwards AFB on Oct. 18, 1989. * Multiple reports of an aircraft having a deep, pulsing roar flying over central and eastern Nevada during the early morning hours throughout the past year. * Eight separate reports of an aircraft exhibiting the same characteristics, always flying on a northerly heading near Mojave, Calif., between midnight and about 5 a.m. It was typically at lower altitude and slower speeds than when first seen in July, often had a slower pulsing sound and displayed only two position lights. * Six reports of an extremely fast-moving vehicle in southern California's skies, ranging from Santa Barbara on the Pacific coastline to near George AFB at the eastern end of the Antelope Valley. These aircraft typically were flying at very high altitude, were seen as a *single bright light*, and seldom changed direction. Speed changes have been observed, and, on occasion, a pulsing red or white light was seen. Whether these so-called fast movers also are the "pulser" aircraft is not known. A Santa Barbara observer estimated the aircraft crossed "some 350 mi. of night sky off the Pacific Missile Range bases in about 6 min." (about 3450 mph!) One Aviation Week & Space Technology editor estimated a similar aircraft - seen as a bright point of white light - required less than 20 sec. to transit about 70 deg. of sky... ...On Oct. 18, 1989, the "pulser" apparently took off from North Base, an airfield at the north end of the Edwards AFB complex primarily devoted to classified programs. The noise from that takeoff was described as extremely loud, with a deep, throaty rumble that shook houses 16 mi. away, drawing residents into the street. One observer claimed the noise compared with that of Saturn 5 rocket tests conducted at Edwards AFB in the 1960s and 1970s. Although no lights were seen, the deep, vibrating roar continued for about 5 min., and its source appeared to be climbing steeply to the north. "Your eyes tended to follow the noise; something was climbing at a very steep angle," one observer noted. Residents of surrounding communities reported that the sound "was like the sky ripping," and was unlike anything they had heard in the Edwards area for years. The same pulsing, very loud, rumbling type of engine noise has been reported by multiple observers in central Nevada as well. It typically was heard in the early morning hours and was described as having a 1-2 Hz. pulse rate. One Nevada-based observer said tha same pulsing aircraft departed from the Groom Lake range and flew over a neaby community as recently as Aug. 6. It was "the loudest thing I've ever heard. It wasn't breaking the sound barrier, but it was rattling the window!" * An interesting note: one of the drawings accompanying the text shows the object as a very rounded triangular shape glowing orange! Again, this was only part of the article. I'll be watching future issues of Aviation Week & Space Technology for any updates. They are justifiably very reluctant to speculate very much on things of this nature. I'm sure you're aware that Phil Klass is a contributing editor to the magazine. hop