DISCLAIMER: This thread is aimed to shed light on some of the most secretive and advanced aircraft ever produced. This thread contains information about largely classified articles so nobody is in the position to cross-check every statement to somebody's satisfaction. Treat this thread as a general knowledge base, therefore. I will continue to update this thread with valuable information that I can find in well-informed sources. Kindly keep the discussion civil as bad posts will be removed.
SR-72 Darkstar
Lockheed Martin disclosed in a piece with the title "speed is the new stealth" in 2013 that it was developing an aircraft capable of hypersonic speeds.
The "Darkstar" shown in Top Gun: Maverick movie:
- was a subtle way to remind people that an aircraft of this type was in development or exist for real but Lockheed Martin is not providing details in the present. Below is a notional photo of the aircraft in question:
Relevant information found here.
STATUS: Testing
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TR-3A Black Manta
Tactical High Altitude Penetrator
The US has developed a variety of triangular stealth aircraft in time. Lockheed Martin F-117A Nighthawk is a well-known example that was first used in war in 1989 but there is evidence of other lesser-known designs such as McDonnell Douglas A-12 Avenger II, Convair Kingfish, and the Advanced Technology Bomber program (codename Aurora) that involved development of different designs including Lockheed Martin Senior Peg.
Below is a computer-generated image of the aircraft formation that Chris Gibson witnessed in 1989, showing two F-111s flying behind a KC-135 with the alleged "Aurora type" aircraft in the mix:
The triangular stealth aircraft shown in the photo was assumed to be SR-92 Aurora - true or false is anybody's guess. Nevertheless, Northrop Grunman black articles reportedly contain triangular stealth aircraft identified as TR-3A and TR-3B.
The TR series is remarkably low-noise and uses highly pressured mercury accelerated by nuclear energy to produce a plasma that creates a field of anti-gravity around the ship. Conventional thrusters located at the tips of the craft allow it to perform all manner of rapid high speed maneuvers along all three axes. Interestingly, the plasma generated also reduces radar signature significantly. Visual evidence of these aircraft in here.
Patents filed by John Clair and Robert Winterdorff are among the known examples of scientific research on the development of triangular stealth aircraft in the US.
See related sketch in post # 24.
STATUS: Operational
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RQ-180 Shikaka
NGAD family of systems
"The RQ-180 eclipses the smaller, less stealthy and shorter-range RQ-170 Sentinel." - Aviation Week
This aircraft was first hinted in 2013 and again in 2024. This aircraft has achieved operational status as noted here and here.
The US was developing and testing a variety of stealthy UAV in time:
*The US have used RQ-170 variants for ISR missions in Iran, Pakistan, North Korea, and Russia. An older variant of RQ-170 was lost in Iran in 2011 but the US seems to have improved RQ-170 variants in time and used them for ISR missions in Black Sea and Crimea to monitor Russian forces in the region. The US have also used RQ-180 for ISR missions in China and North Korea.
STATUS: Operational
SR-72 Darkstar
Lockheed Martin disclosed in a piece with the title "speed is the new stealth" in 2013 that it was developing an aircraft capable of hypersonic speeds.
The "Darkstar" shown in Top Gun: Maverick movie:
- was a subtle way to remind people that an aircraft of this type was in development or exist for real but Lockheed Martin is not providing details in the present. Below is a notional photo of the aircraft in question:
- This aircraft can withstand tremendous amount of heat and is MACH 5+ rated.
- This aircraft can evade virtually any missile in combat situations.
- This aircraft is very stealthy and equipped with cutting edge sensor systems for ISR missions in most threatening environments. However, the aircraft might also be equipped for strike missions in most threatening environments.
Relevant information found here.
STATUS: Testing
--- --- ---
TR-3A Black Manta
Tactical High Altitude Penetrator
The US has developed a variety of triangular stealth aircraft in time. Lockheed Martin F-117A Nighthawk is a well-known example that was first used in war in 1989 but there is evidence of other lesser-known designs such as McDonnell Douglas A-12 Avenger II, Convair Kingfish, and the Advanced Technology Bomber program (codename Aurora) that involved development of different designs including Lockheed Martin Senior Peg.
Below is a computer-generated image of the aircraft formation that Chris Gibson witnessed in 1989, showing two F-111s flying behind a KC-135 with the alleged "Aurora type" aircraft in the mix:
The triangular stealth aircraft shown in the photo was assumed to be SR-92 Aurora - true or false is anybody's guess. Nevertheless, Northrop Grunman black articles reportedly contain triangular stealth aircraft identified as TR-3A and TR-3B.
The TR series is remarkably low-noise and uses highly pressured mercury accelerated by nuclear energy to produce a plasma that creates a field of anti-gravity around the ship. Conventional thrusters located at the tips of the craft allow it to perform all manner of rapid high speed maneuvers along all three axes. Interestingly, the plasma generated also reduces radar signature significantly. Visual evidence of these aircraft in here.
Patents filed by John Clair and Robert Winterdorff are among the known examples of scientific research on the development of triangular stealth aircraft in the US.
STATUS: Operational
--- --- ---
RQ-180 Shikaka
NGAD family of systems
"The RQ-180 eclipses the smaller, less stealthy and shorter-range RQ-170 Sentinel." - Aviation Week
This aircraft was first hinted in 2013 and again in 2024. This aircraft has achieved operational status as noted here and here.
The US was developing and testing a variety of stealthy UAV in time:
- This aircraft is the largest and most advanced UAV of its kind in the world.
- This aircraft is very stealthy and equipped with cutting edge sensor systems for ISR missions in most threatening environments*.
- This aircraft might be linked to the NGAD program.
*The US have used RQ-170 variants for ISR missions in Iran, Pakistan, North Korea, and Russia. An older variant of RQ-170 was lost in Iran in 2011 but the US seems to have improved RQ-170 variants in time and used them for ISR missions in Black Sea and Crimea to monitor Russian forces in the region. The US have also used RQ-180 for ISR missions in China and North Korea.
STATUS: Operational
Source:
Different sources
Different sources
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