The secret program to hide a secret program, as told by an F-14 RIO.

a reply to: gfad

Not currently.

originally posted by: gfad
a reply to: CiTrus90

I think probably the best example of that (or at least the most recent) is the Lockheed Polecat / RQ-170.

Thanks, i didn't specify it, but i was thinking more about manned platforms.

But seeing that Zaphod answered you, and not me, i'll take that as a

a reply to: gfad

If I understand your question well, I think that F-117 was black when it became operational.

a reply to: SpeedFanatic

It was finally declassified due to a crash, and required daytime training.

a reply to: Zaphod58
Yeah but it was after sometime when it became operational, right?

a reply to: SpeedFanatic

They had reached IOC at that point, but I think they were short of FOC, so yeah, they had reached at least minimal operational capacity.

originally posted by: SpeedFanatic
a reply to: gfad

If I understand your question well, I think that F-117 was black when it became operational.

It was certainly flying whilst it was still black, and I guess you can kind of define operational in different ways. But according to this history the F117 wasn't used in combat until Panama which was 13 months after it was declassified.

www.joebaugher.com...

I always like the old verbiage, "what's the point of having a capability that stays so far in the black that other countries don't even know we have it?" I think alot of the f117/b2(even though it wasn't really that secret after development) declassification was about showing off this capability to the soviets and other countries as a deterrent more than anything else. I think the main aircraft that should remain classified the longest are the intelligence platforms i.e U2/SR71/RQ170 etc. Those aren't necessarily deterrents and we shouldn't be showing our cards in that game.

a reply to: boomer135

I absolutely agree. There's no reason to show off ISR capabilities.

a reply to: boomer135

Makes sense to me. I guess if we apply that logic and assume that the F-117A companion aircraft exists, then it gives some clues to its role.

originally posted by: gfad
a reply to: boomer135

Makes sense to me. I guess if we apply that logic and assume that the F-117A companion aircraft exists, then it gives some clues to its role.

Assumption is the mother of all *"@#ups. Lol

a reply to: gfad

Why are we assuming?

a reply to: gfad

Yeah, for me aircraft is operational when it become flying. Even if Panama was first operation where F-117 took part I'm sure that it made many different tests before.

BTW nice link

originally posted by: boomer135

originally posted by: gfad
a reply to: boomer135

Makes sense to me. I guess if we apply that logic and assume that the F-117A companion aircraft exists, then it gives some clues to its role.

Assumption is the mother of all *"@#ups. Lol

---

This is more for you Boomer135, but I have a modified photo
of what looks to me like a "real" aircraft with a code name
of "Blue Diamond" coming from a chase plane convo captured
by a scanner in 2009. This photo is obviously modified to hide
what I think are the single-engine specifics of what looks like
to me a vector thrust nozzle shape similar to a Sukhoi SU-37
and it looks like window blackouts.

(Please Note: I added the Groom Lake Background as a lark)

See photo below of craft itself:



LINK TO LARGER PHOTO that seems more real looking:
files.abovetopsecret.com...

The original photo has a PURE WHITE background and
obvious Photoshop effects and a blur applied POSSIBLY
done to hide the real look'n'feel of this craft!

The reason WHY I say this is on the upper faceted edges,
if you do a high contrast enhancement and/or a 3D emboss,
the edges of those facets are SIMILAR in appearance
to the F-117a. The edges are too IMPERFECT and not
at all like a 3D render which tends to make edges
just a little too perfect and straight.

HAVE YOU SEEN this shape of craft before?

Do you KNOW of any code name called "Blue Diamond"?

Why is this craft a single-engine? What is it's purpose then
if it's only single-engine?

I'd rather not say WHERE if got this original photo from
but I can tell you it's geographically from GERMANY.

---

How do I give access to the LARGER IMAGE?
The smaller photo makes the image look cheezy
where the larger photo, when examined closely,
makes the craft seems much more real to me!

Which embed code do I use to access the large image?

---

After a bit of a longer look, I see a "ink blot" modification done
to the windows. which indicates a Photoshop object coverup
operation. I personally believe that was done to hide the true
shape of the windows which I think look more radical than
what's in the photo. I will do a Photoshop-like modification
to make them the shape that I THINK THEY REALLY ARE!
I think they are a triangular shape similar to the front windows
of the F-117a.

a reply to: SpeedFanatic

The first full-scale preproduction prototype F-117A made its first flight in June 1981. The first production airframe crashed on its first flight attempt in April 1982. The production F-117A achieved Initial Operating Capability in October 1983. Two were lost in accidents, one off-range in July 1986 and one within the Nellis Air Force Range in October 1987. The Department of Defense declassified the existence of the F-117A in November 1988. It made its first public appearance at Nellis AFB in April 1990.

a reply to: Shadowhawk

And in 1982 or early 1983 they stole 150 pilots and maintenance personnel from the 509th Bomb Wing at Pease AFB, with the cover story they were going to work on the Advanced A-7 program, to make the night capable, as well as other upgrades.

That was our first clue something unusual was going on somewhere out there. We didn't find out until later they were flying them into Tonopah to work on the F-117s.

a reply to: StargateSG7

Modification to original photo to signify what
the TRUE window shape likely is with this aircraft:

two craft image for comparison:
(Please note: Groom lake background added in for fun)


Larger Comparison Image:
files.abovetopsecret.com...

Is this the POSSIBLE SHAPE of the F117a companion aircraft?

Why only the single engine?

P.S. I am NOT purporting that the image of the plane itself is real.
The original image was sent to me via certain channels of communication
I am well versed in. The image is said to have been accompanied by a
voice recording from a chase plane coontaining the call sign "Blue Diamond".

I cannot vouch for the veracity of the original image.

originally posted by: StargateSG7


HAVE YOU SEEN this shape of craft before?

no

Do you KNOW of any code name called "Blue Diamond"?

no

Why is this craft a single-engine? What is it's purpose then
if it's only single-engine?

i have no idea

I'd rather not say WHERE if got this original photo from
but I can tell you it's geographically from GERMANY.

yeah whoever gave you this from germany probably drew it on a napkin or something. It doesnt even look like it would fly.

Is this the POSSIBLE SHAPE of the F117a companion aircraft?

that would be a horrible shape for any aircraft in my opinion

Why only the single engine?

Again, i have no idea

P.S. I am NOT purporting that the image of the plane itself is real.
The original image was sent to me via certain channels of communication
I am well versed in. The image is said to have been accompanied by a
voice recording from a chase plane coontaining the call sign "Blue Diamond".

I cannot vouch for the veracity of the original image.

I wouldnt vouch for it either brother

originally posted by: StargateSG7


(Please Note: I added the Groom Lake Background as a lark)

Use a real one next time

a reply to: StargateSG7

I'm confused, are you claiming this is a photo? A photo that was modified before being sent to you and then modified by you back into what you think the aircraft looks like? Can you share the original image, photoshop effects and all.

I'd probably side with boomer on this one and say it doesn't look particularly airworthy to me!