The American cutting edge in aircraft

[LeGenD]

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:

• 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

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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:

• 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

 

[LeGenD]

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B-21 Raider
NGAD family of systems

This aircraft was first disclosed in 2022 followed by the first flight test in 2023. This aircraft is said to be a generational leap from the already very impressive B-2A Spirit in its current form. This aircraft might be linked to the NGAD program.



This aircraft is incredibly stealthy in all aspects as explained in following link:

Why The B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber is the Stealthiest Plane to Ever Exist

The recently revealed Northrop Grumman photo of the sleek, stealthy airborne B-21 Raider bomber presents a new and significant view of the mysterious and largely “black” aircraft

warriormaven.com

STATUS: Testing

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NGAD prototypes
NGAD family of systems

The US officially tested a 6th generation prototype in 2020, and Northrop Grunman provided a glimpse of its design in 2021. The US has developed additional NGAD prototypes but it is not clear which design will be accepted for mass production in the near future. An illustration of the light fighter concept was also provided recently.


See related images in post # 14.

The US is also using F-22A Raptor as a test bed for NGAD technology as noted here and here. The US is also preparing to uplift F-35 with a very significant Block 4 update.

STATUS: Testing

 

[LeGenD]

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Discontinued articles

 

[Oscar]

Other than the RQ-180 all other aircraft in the first post are either fictional or fake.

There was a planned black program as the successor to the SR-71 but it is not the aircraft from the topgun movie. that was designed as a sketch by a conceptual artist from the Skunkworks division.

The TR-3 black manta image in there is a fake modified image - the original was basically a photograph taken at a particular angle of the F-111s refueling and then the tin foil hat rumor mill started.

That being said - there are things at groom lake and other facilities no one knows about pushing the envelope. But at the same time there are going to be LESS things out there because DARPA and associated military industrial complex can now design and simulate full systems to 99% real life accurate in months and decide whether to build them or not based on putting them through every possible use case/environment

 

[j_hungary]

Other than the RQ-180 all other aircraft in the first post are either fictional or fake.

There was a planned black program as the successor to the SR-71 but it is not the aircraft from the topgun movie. that was designed as a sketch by a conceptual artist from the Skunkworks division.

The TR-3 black manta image in there is a fake modified image - the original was basically a photograph taken at a particular angle of the F-111s refueling and then the tin foil hat rumor mill started.

That being said - there are things at groom lake and other facilities no one knows about pushing the envelope. But at the same time there are going to be LESS things out there because DARPA and associated military industrial complex can now design and simulate full systems to 99% real life accurate in months and decide whether to build them or not based on putting them through every possible use case/environment

As mentioned on the other threads. This pairs is going to be the edge for the future USAF generation





This pair is going to be the workhorse of every Western Air Force in the world in the next 30 or so years, they are already as impressive as it was today and were no match by the world, imagine what these drone can do if they were loaded with adaptive technology where the 6th gen was defined.

Notice that both are already flight worthy drone, so these are no just a drawing somewhere in a basement......

 

[Oscar]

As mentioned on the other threads. This pairs is going to be the edge for the future USAF generation

View attachment 62069

View attachment 62070

This pair is going to be the workhorse of every Western Air Force in the world in the next 30 or so years, they are already as impressive as it was today and were no match by the world, imagine what these drone can do if they were loaded with adaptive technology where the 6th gen was defined.

Notice that both are already flight worthy drone, so these are no just a drawing somewhere in a basement......

From your perspective as a “grunt” - where do you see CAS going?
L

 

[LeGenD]

Other than the RQ-180 all other aircraft in the first post are either fictional or fake.

There was a planned black program as the successor to the SR-71 but it is not the aircraft from the topgun movie. that was designed as a sketch by a conceptual artist from the Skunkworks division.

The TR-3 black manta image in there is a fake modified image - the original was basically a photograph taken at a particular angle of the F-111s refueling and then the tin foil hat rumor mill started.

That being said - there are things at groom lake and other facilities no one knows about pushing the envelope. But at the same time there are going to be LESS things out there because DARPA and associated military industrial complex can now design and simulate full systems to 99% real life accurate in months and decide whether to build them or not based on putting them through every possible use case/environment

My first post was lacking in content initially but I am updating it with more information to provide a more accurate account of the largely unknown aircraft - I have added some of the links [in] my statements instead of posting them separately. The SR-72 program was disclosed by none other than Lockheed Martin in 2013, the actual aircraft (or black article) very closely resemble the "Darkstar" shown in the Top Gun movie. Pentagon is known to allow film-makers to show things that might be based on real stuff in relevant movies.

Those mysterious triangular aircraft are also real with patents of some designs coming to light in recent years. I found some information about these aircraft in an excellent publication and I have also posted the video of a well-informed individual to shed more light on this theme. There are, in fact, rumors of strange aircraft witnessed above Iraq and Iran and the relevant video provides some information in relation. Amazing stuff.

In the current time of much noise from some quarters, it won't be surprising that Pentagon is allowing some individuals to send a message to those who talk too much.

 

[j_hungary]

From your perspective as a “grunt” - where do you see CAS going?
L

I think they are going to replace the need for Fast Mover (so anything we ask from F-15 or F-16), we are going to have a few of them fly in instead of strike eagle or viper airstrike.

In fact, if AI and advance automation is involved. Then we probably will be seeing a swarm of those prepping the area before the infantry going in, and predefine loop (or race track) pattern to be on station and either actively (via AI) or passively (via ground/station control) seeking target and perform CAS on request.

In more complicated solution we may actually see a mix of manned and unmanned platform to act as a force multiplier to sanitise an area of operation (AOR)

Not sure what is the future configuration of these drone, but I doubt they are only making them with missile and bomb payload in mind, maybe we will see A-10 type drone (or they are actually making A-10 Pilotless like they did with some F-16) where you can do gun run or even loaded with 105mm howitzer and even fulfil AC-130 gunship role, well, it can't be worse than the Spectre Gunship we are using now, as they aren't allow to fly during daylight.

 

[Afif]

As mentioned on the other threads. This pairs is going to be the edge for the future USAF generation

View attachment 62069

View attachment 62070

This pair is going to be the workhorse of every Western Air Force in the world in the next 30 or so years, they are already as impressive as it was today and were no match by the world, imagine what these drone can do if they were loaded with adaptive technology where the 6th gen was defined.

Notice that both are already flight worthy drone, so these are no just a drawing somewhere in a basement......

Both are out of the competition for CCA. USAF selected GE and Anduril as CCA vendors.

Also, Baykar KE as a system is technically more capable than these two.

 

[lightning f57]

Then we probably will be seeing a swarm of those prepping the area before the infantry going in, and predefine loop (or race track) pattern to be on station and either actively (via AI) or passively (via ground/station control) seeking target and perform CAS on request.

Terminator movie was quite advance for its time we are seeing these things becoming a reality now.

 

[Michael]

My first post was lacking in content initially but I am updating it with more information to provide a more accurate account of the largely unknown aircraft - I have added some of the links [in] my statements instead of posting them separately. The SR-72 program was disclosed by none other than Lockheed Martin in 2013, the actual aircraft (or black article) very closely resemble the "Darkstar" shown in the Top Gun movie. Pentagon is known to allow film-makers to show things that might be based on real stuff in relevant movies.

Those mysterious triangular aircraft are also real with patents of some designs coming to light in recent years. I found some information about these aircraft in an excellent publication and I have also posted the video of a well-informed individual to shed more light on this theme. There are, in fact, rumors of strange aircraft witnessed above Iraq and Iran and the relevant video provides some information in relation. Amazing stuff.

In the current time of much noise from some quarters, it won't be surprising that Pentagon is allowing some individuals to send a message to those who talk too much.

The vast majority of military enthusiasts and analysts spend too much time focusing on PPT and beautiful concept models.

They can't rationally look at the purpose of these things. Even though they know that some things are used to cheat defense budgets and some things are used to blackmail opponents, they still believe that these things are true and talk about them with relish.

As for the real military science and technology content, in fact, they don't care about it and can't understand it.

 

[j_hungary]

Both are out of the competition for CCA. USAF selected GE and Anduril as CCA vendors.

Also, Baykar KE as a system is technically more capable than these two.

I wouldn't say Baykar KE is more capable......

Bear in mind Ghost Bat is fully AI and Valkyrie is AI Assisted, both can perform complex maneuver as if they are controlled by a pilot, which mean the Air Force can basically just put them up, and they will do what the platform "think" is appropriate for the airspace without any human input if necessary, KE acts only as a Loyal Wingman, which means you have to have an "overwatcher" (either AWACS, Ground Station, Pre-Programmed, or other aircraft) to direct its usage.

You cannot perform an autonomous drone swarm if you are using KE, you can with Ghost Bat and Valkyrie

And then this is before any 6th Gen Tech they are putting in, DARPA had demonstrated a few of those since 2020

 

[j_hungary]

Terminator movie was quite advance for its time we are seeing these things becoming a reality now.

I think in reality, actual technology we had is a lot more advanced than the Skynet...

 

[LeGenD]

Let's have a look at the following footage from Northrop Grunman:

The FIRST aircraft on the LEFT is a 6th generation fighter prototype.




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The SECOND aircraft on the LEFT is identified as Model 437 that was made public in 2024.



Details in here.

Model 437 is an autonomous aircraft that allows both manned and unmanned operations. This aircraft is an excellent test bed for manned-unmanned teaming experiments.

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The THIRD aircraft on the LEFT is the X-47B UCAS that was first hinted in 2007 and made public in 2013.

X-47B UCAS | Northrop Grumman

The X-47B is a tailless, strike fighter-sized unmanned aircraft developed by Northrop Grumman as part of the U.S. Navy’s Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) Carrier Demonstration program.

www.northropgrumman.com

 

[Afif]

I wouldn't say Baykar KE is more capable......

Bear in mind Ghost Bat is fully AI and Valkyrie is AI Assisted, both can perform complex maneuver as if they are controlled by a pilot, which mean the Air Force can basically just put them up, and they will do what the platform "think" is appropriate for the airspace without any human input if necessary, KE acts only as a Loyal Wingman, which means you have to have an "overwatcher" (either AWACS, Ground Station, Pre-Programmed, or other aircraft) to direct its usage.

You cannot perform an autonomous drone swarm if you are using KE, you can with Ghost Bat and Valkyrie

And then this is before any 6th Gen Tech they are putting in, DARPA had demonstrated a few of those since 2020

No, I have been keeping up with KE development closely. It has been stated by Baykar that, it will also have fully AI driven autonomous characteristics in future blocks.

And, Ghostbat is a AI Assisted wingman. Not fully AI. In fact, none of the UCAVs flying today has gained full autonomy capable of conducting all range of missions autonomously. That is still a decade away at least.

Anyway, Baykar KE is technically more capable because it is incorporating IWB + AESA sensor, EOTS, EW/ELINT. Like a full fledged fighter. Neither Ghostbat nor X58 has IWB, or that many sensors. They are more limited in this regard.

Also, KE is kinetically more superior. Future CCA would be more comparable to Baykar KE.