SECRET ADVANCED VEHICLES DEMONSTRATE TECHNOLOGIES FOR FUTURE MILITARY USE

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     AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY  October 1, 1990

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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