interesting "black" aircraft seen outside at Palmdale RAP

ImageDedicated forum to share your own recent photos with the rest of the community.
Please note large files may exist here before you start browsing!

Forum rules
ImageThis is the forum to share your recent aviation photos with the rest of the community, being photos not older than six months at the moment of topic opening. Theme-based topics, not about recent events, should go into the sub-forum.
Although we will not screen beforehand, we reserve the right to delete any images, especially if clearly unsharp or otherwise low in quality. For more information on how to upload you images, check this post.
In topic titles, please use airfield names in stead of just codes, and be clear about what kind of photos your viewers can expect (e.g. CIV/MIL, location etc.).

Finally, bring any photo criticism understandable and to the point, not cynical or offensive! Simultaneously, do not feel offended by criticism per se, but simply explain your motives, taste et cetera, or ignore if you wish so.
Post Reply
Ajaxfever
Scramble Addict
Scramble Addict
Posts: 1021
Joined: 21 Apr 2012, 17:37
Type of spotter: low profile
Subscriber Scramble: nee
Location: oostzaan

interesting "black" aircraft seen outside at Palmdale RAP

Post by Ajaxfever »

while looking at google earth yesterdayevening my eyes were focussing on 2 unidentified (at least to me) aircraft seen at (I think) a Lockeed Skunk Works ramp at Palmdale regional airport.

the biggest aircraft lookes like a B-2 but isn't.

hope someone can tell me more about them ...

rgds,

Peter
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Ajaxfever
Scramble Addict
Scramble Addict
Posts: 1021
Joined: 21 Apr 2012, 17:37
Type of spotter: low profile
Subscriber Scramble: nee
Location: oostzaan

Re: interesting "black" aircraft seen outside at Palmdale RA

Post by Ajaxfever »

Ajaxfever wrote:while looking at google earth yesterdayevening my eyes were focussing on 2 unidentified (at least to me) aircraft seen at (I think) a Lockeed Skunk Works ramp at Palmdale regional airport.

the biggest aircraft lookes like a B-2 but isn't.

hope someone can tell me more about them ...

rgds,

Peter
coordinates are: 34 38 27 N 118 04 59 W
User avatar
michel N
Scramble Master
Scramble Master
Posts: 2534
Joined: 06 Oct 2002, 14:31
Subscriber Scramble: MN

Re: interesting "black" aircraft seen outside at Palmdale RA

Post by michel N »

One of them is the X-47B (the largest one)
flown in: Things with wings
Ajaxfever
Scramble Addict
Scramble Addict
Posts: 1021
Joined: 21 Apr 2012, 17:37
Type of spotter: low profile
Subscriber Scramble: nee
Location: oostzaan

Re: interesting "black" aircraft seen outside at Palmdale RA

Post by Ajaxfever »

michel N wrote:One of them is the X-47B (the largest one)
ok, thnxs. So no new black aircraft :(

probably Skunk Works needs extra space within their hangars ...
User avatar
SquAdmin
Scramble Master
Scramble Master
Posts: 3733
Joined: 21 Feb 2003, 11:04
Location: C a/d Y

Re: interesting "black" aircraft seen outside at Palmdale RA

Post by SquAdmin »

Little one is an X-47A.

Skunk Works is the 'black' division of Lockheed-Martin, these UAV's were built by Northrop-Grumman.
Greetz,

Patrick
User avatar
Basman
Scramble Die-Hard
Scramble Die-Hard
Posts: 948
Joined: 03 Jun 2007, 00:23
Subscriber Scramble: Yes
Contact:

Re: interesting "black" aircraft seen outside at Palmdale RA

Post by Basman »

If they were still considered 'black', I guess they wouldn't have let them appear on Google Earth.....unless intentionally.

Bas
Jazz707
Posts: 11
Joined: 04 Mar 2013, 18:47

Re: interesting "black" aircraft seen outside at Palmdale RA

Post by Jazz707 »

Photographed the MQ-25A 'Stingray' (tanker version of the X-47B) at Palmdale around two weeks ago.
Was towed out towards the end of the runway for a while.
Similar distant hazy shot to this in this article, when spoke with this guy briefly...
http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/13 ... california
User avatar
Thermal
Scramble Addict
Scramble Addict
Posts: 2035
Joined: 28 May 2003, 15:35
Type of spotter: F5
Location: Oxford (UK) & Utrecht (NL)

Re: interesting "black" aircraft seen outside at Palmdale RA

Post by Thermal »

The smaller one:
X-47A
Original proof-of-concept prototype with a 27.8-foot (8.5 m) wingspan, first flown in 2003.

The bigger one:
X-47B
Demonstrator aircraft with a 62-foot (19 m) wingspan, first flown in 2011.
I always say a boy can learn more at an airport than at any school.
- Homer J Simpson -
Post Reply

Return to “Aviation Photo Forum”