Interesting Times at Mojave 3-15-17

Anybody figured out the length of this bird yet?

a reply to: nelloh62

From that post I assume you're in the UK. The A model is deploying to that region this spring for their first deployment. They'll probably be at the big shows this summer too.

a reply to: Zaphod58

He is in the UK. A good guy too.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Yes, UK. And hoping to get to the RIAT this year for the first time

a reply to: BASSPLYR

You're too kind sir.

a reply to: nelloh62

Depending on how long their deployment is, the A models will still be there and they'll send one. They'll probably send a B model from the US too.

a reply to: nelloh62

Just being honest.

About the gold canopy; what time of day was this shot? Could it simply be early morning or late afternoon light catching the glass just right?

While we're all telling you what kind of camera to buy I'd highly recommend something like a Sony a7rII. Things you want for these types of 'spy' shots are resolution and low light performance. That camera excels at both. You'd then need a really long lens with good image stabilization.

Then again a little ambiguity makes these discussions more fun.

a reply to: PhantomTwo

No, the light wasn't right to turn it gold like that. It looked like it was embedded in the canopy, similar to the F-16 or F-22.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Part of me wonders if this isn't the full version of what that rear RCS mock-up at AMARG was built for.

A frontal stealth-optimized semi-rebuild of the Rhino that's all-new from the intakes forward featuring a more attack-oriented cockpit set further forward in the nose with a new AESA and the F-15SE's avionics, along with all-new edge-aligned elevators and further cleaning up of fuselage seams/newer RAM coatings could be exactly what this is.

Maybe it was ordered on the DL by the USN for internal evaluation against the F-35C as a "9/10ths the plane for 3/4ths the price", or maybe it was built as an enhanced fleet-defense upgrade to the Rhino as a hedge against the F/A-XX program. Maybe it's the rumored F/A-XX demonstrator in the flesh.

a reply to: Barnalby

This, sir, is why I read this forum nearly everyday!!

Well done.

It appears that Zaph may have caught something...

a reply to: Barnalby

It could very well be a proof of concept vehicle for the ASH program, or another F-18 program that we don't know about.

Maybe if its navy they want a whole new fighter. Navy does bombing runs mostly with their fighters i guess. Thats what id use f18s for tactical bombing. Maybe the navy wants a fb23-super rhino hybrid thingy.

I dont know im literally just speculating here but that would be pretty bad ass.

Maybe things like trump saying we need to spend money on more f18s is code for we need to fund the navys new fighter too. Could be why the navy isnt super excited about the f35. I dunno. I always felt they werent too excited as if they might have their own thing going on too.

a reply to: BASSPLYR

The Navy has been weird as hell the last few years. It's one of the reasons I'm almost positive they have something out there we don't know about. The way they mangled UCLASS into a tanker, and their reaction to the F-35 have been seriously out of kilter.

a reply to: BASSPLYR

Maybe a tomcat 2?

I know.... A pipe dream... but it would be cool.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Theres a ton of activity this last year at both edwards and china lake wouldnt be surprised if they are working on a new fighter or fighter bomber.

Anybody got any estimations of this pretty birds dimensions....looking at you here barnalby


I remember camping out at jawbone and redrock and seeing lots of activity both towards china lake and the other direction towards edwards each night. (Jawbone and mojave city sit on the highway between the two bases)

a reply to: Zaphod58

Speak nothing of how there seems to be zero panic whatsoever about the growing Chinese surface fleet or the J-20 and China's growing stealth anti-ship capabilities.

It also just so happens that the F-15SE's avionics were designed around a two-man cockpit.

Lots of food for thought.

a reply to: Barnalby

And Northrop builds most of the F-18 fuselage for Boeing at Long Beach. So they'd be involved with an upgrade most likely.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Of course Northrop builds the fuselage. The pieces fall into place so easily, don't they.

a reply to: Barnalby

Once you know where to look, sometimes it just clicks without even trying. Whether we're right is another story, but it all fits.