My uncle was a U2 mechanic, he couldn't be specific, but he told me about "stuff out of STAR WARS" 20 years ago.

Its already in service, in a fleet up to 5, i think. I saw a squadron of 5 triangles, maybe aurora.

the aurora is like the sr-71 it flies solo not in a sqaudron.

About 7 were made and they are almost all based on RAF bases and in US bases in Japan. Thats all.

That Star Wars reference reminds me of what the former head of Skunk Works said to a reporter before he died a couple of years ago. The report said that he told him "we have stuff out there in the desert 50 years ahead of what anyone can imagine, its right out of Star Wars". Now why would a man like that who was in that position lie?

Yes, the IFF is Identify Friend or Foe. All allied military aircraft, and even some things like tanks, have IFF transponders on them. The system identifies aircraft. IFF will give you an altitude, flight reference number, etc. The civillian version is used on airliners so they don't get shot down by accident. The military version includes a lot more data so you can identify the exact aircraft that is sqawking the IFF. IFF would withou a doubt be used on a spyplane so US radar operators wouldn't attempt to fire at it when it was RTB.

Kwajalein Atol

The Navy does testing there. I know someone who recently went there to assist a test firing of the Navy's TBMD system. The Navy wouldn't have anything to do with Aurora since they don't use spy planes. He may have seen a UAV, the Navy launches those.

Aurora does not fly. Why? Because the congress discussed the old Blackbirds to be used again after the 2001. They would not try to use the old plane if Aurora was not available.
I think that Aurora maybe was tested during early nineties but a/ failed b/was cancelled. The reasoning like "SR-71 are being retired and something must take their place" is nonsense. Remeber that after Cold War many systems/project which were thought not to be needed were cancelled (new long range misilles, Comanche, reduced B2, Crusader).
And besides I think there is no need for such recon plane, not only becaue of cost, bu also because Global Hawks are good enough for 3rd world countries and other countries would be able to track (if not with radar than with IR)shoot down Aurora type planes. Also for thoso who say the satelite use is limited - the Blackbird/Aurora use is limited too (for example it cannot loiter over area long enough).

My personal feeling is that Aurora was cancelled. It probably flew, based on all the sightings, and may have even been operational at one point. But I think if it was in existance during the Clinton era he would have cut the funding for it. He seriously cut all intel spending and cut most projects in development.

In this whole thread, I've seen one post that wasn't pure speculation! Let me point out some things:

1. The term "Aroura" first appeard in an unclassified budget request. This means it is/was a code name for something.

2. Code Names have nothing to do with the name of the aircraft, they refer to the program. (EX: Aquatone= U-2 Spy Plane, Oxcart= A-12 Blackbird, Senior Ice= B-2 Spirit (Stealth Bomber), Senior Sky=F-22 Raptor)

Tim
ATS Director of Counter-Ignorance

Intelgurl that last picture is pretty close to what "aurora" really looks like, except no scram jets on the top, the bottom is totally smooth and there are large strake like intakes on the top side similar in style to the F-117, the rear vert. stabs are a little different, but overall the look is about 80% of "aurora".

It does have PDE as powerplant and speed in excess of Mach 5

But your right about the design time frame.

Originally posted by ghost
In this whole thread, I've seen one post that wasn't pure speculation! Let me point out some things:

1. The term "Aroura" first appeard in an unclassified budget request. This means it is/was a code name for something.

2. Code Names have nothing to do with the name of the aircraft, they refer to the program. (EX: Aquatone= U-2 Spy Plane, Oxcart= A-12 Blackbird, Senior Ice= B-2 Spirit (Stealth Bomber), Senior Sky=F-22 Raptor)

Tim
ATS Director of Counter-Ignorance

Senior citizen= aurora so i think it does have to do with the name

Lets not go into the name game issue again, we know that there were a lot of codenames for it, and a lot of planes that were supposed to have cover for it. B-2 being one of them.

Originally posted by Shugo
Lets not go into the name game issue again, we know that there were a lot of codenames for it, and a lot of planes that were supposed to have cover for it. B-2 being one of them.

How did the B-2 cover for it? Its based in Japan and UK thats the only thing i can assure anyone

The B-2A Stealth Bomber?! You need to recheck your sources I think phantom.

Aurora was said by the government to be the B-2A's codename.

Originally posted by Shugo
The B-2A Stealth Bomber?! You need to recheck your sources I think phantom.

Aurora was said by the government to be the B-2A's codename.

oh yea, your right Ben rich said it but its a load of baloney.

Originally posted by phantompatriot
About 7 were made and they are almost all based on RAF bases and in US bases in Japan. Thats all.

That makes absolutely no sense. Why would we keep an aircraft that can be anywhere in the world in 2 or 3 hours in Japan and the UK? I mean, the whole point of hypersonic flight is that you DON'T need to base the aircraft outside your homeland.

My guess, there are 8-12 'Auroras' (they aren't called Auroras in the military obviously), it isa Mach 7-10 aircraft, has a higher level of radar stealth then the F-117, and is based out of somewhere in the US.

I assumed it was operational a long time ago. At least at the time of the SR71 retirement.

Iv'e seen one of many pictures reported to be the TR3-B that was taken with a camera through a telescope. The guy said it was completely noticed by accident while he was focusing the scope toward the looner surface at dusk. It really is an original shot in my opinion. Typical Triangle shape with a wide edge cruising high in the atmosphere.

Dallas