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Originally posted by trueknowledge
There is also no need for a longer version of the F117 as they have a two stage recon vehicle that does a much better job, not to mention the 3 UAV programs that are still classified.
edit on 1-3-2013 by trueknowledge because: (no reason given)
Originally posted by weavty1
I believe the 'two-stage recon air vehicle' he is speaking of, is the supposed 'Blackstar'... It's basically a mothership-like airframe, that carries a smaller airframe with it up to extremely high altitude, releases it, and that smaller vehicle soars off to a mid-low earth orbit... Hence, 'two-stage'.
It's worth noting that the SR-71 (M-21 was the actual variant airframe) and the D-21 drone, had lots of problems with separation.
Getting back to my "SR-117a" RECON craft based upon a stretched F-117 Nighthawk platform, ALL I KNOW is from nebulous and very non-specific "Chatter" within the "Black Budget Spook Space". I have no definitive PROOF nor any absolute evidence... just a bunch of whispered somethings from reasonably well-placed people. What I DO KNOW is that there DEFINITELY was SOME KIND of RECON craft designed for panoramic-style photography that has been active since 1984 that supposedly REPLACED much of the functionality of the SR-71 Blackbird and U2 spy planes!
Originally posted by weavty1
Originally posted by gariac
reply to post by weavty1
I have a photo of a white F-117a, but not mine. It is out of a magazine scan so that wouldn't be cool to post. You can also find a green F-117a, which turns out to be a primer color.
Here's the whitey!