X-47b

rcfieldz · 14th June 2012, 01:45 PM

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/20...o-mystery?lite
http://defensetech.org/2011/12/19/vi...-on-a-flatbed/
What gives? Is it a dud? Why can't they just fly it to wherever?

geni · 14th June 2012, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by rcfieldz

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/20...o-mystery?lite
http://defensetech.org/2011/12/19/vi...-on-a-flatbed/
What gives? Is it a dud? Why can't they just fly it to wherever?

Plying drones through general airspace requires a bunch of paperwork.

Spindrift · 14th June 2012, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by rcfieldz

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/20...o-mystery?lite
http://defensetech.org/2011/12/19/vi...-on-a-flatbed/
What gives? Is it a dud? Why can't they just fly it to wherever?

The X stands for Experimental. That means they need to test it first and it wasn't built (California) where they're going to test it (Maryland).

I Ratant · 14th June 2012, 05:27 PM

The smaller X-46 was piggybacked on the NASA 747.
Mayhap the 747 couldn't land at PAX?
The A-12s and SR-71s were transported from Burbank to Groom Lake, for the A-12, and Edwards for the SR, in large boxes via Sierra Highway and points east.
I saw one of those boxes snuggled up to a loading ramp in Burbank years ago.

casebro · 14th June 2012, 05:57 PM

I guess I'll show my age. I thought this was about a '50s ufo sighting, involving an XB-47 Stratofortress. You remember the UFO that crashed in the woods in Pennsylvania and the Army hauled it away on a flat bed covered in tarps? I figured it is about time they came clean on some of those old claimed UFOs. Oh well, file still sealed I guess.

Crossbow · 15th June 2012, 05:04 AM

Originally Posted by rcfieldz

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/20...o-mystery?lite
http://defensetech.org/2011/12/19/vi...-on-a-flatbed/
What gives? Is it a dud? Why can't they just fly it to wherever?

Well, right off hand I can think of a few reasons why this device should not be flown just anywhere.

So the next time you visit that public library where you do your posting from, then do yourself a favor and check out the development and testing of experimental aircraft if you actually do want an answer to your question.

ElMondoHummus · 15th June 2012, 06:24 AM

Originally Posted by rcfieldz

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/20...o-mystery?lite
http://defensetech.org/2011/12/19/vi...-on-a-flatbed/
What gives? Is it a dud? Why can't they just fly it to wherever?

From the MSNBC link - Best observation ever

:

Quote:

Don't worry, that's not an alien spacecraft, just a flying military robot. Totally normal sentence in 2012. I love the future. #beltwayufo

X · 15th June 2012, 07:08 AM

Originally Posted by rcfieldz

What gives? Is it a dud? Why can't they just fly it to wherever?

Experimental aircraft are usually tested over large, empty area. It has to do with that "experimental" part.

I Ratant · 15th June 2012, 09:03 AM

Northrop lost a fighter prototype just before WWII, testing it over the Pacific.
Never been found.
F-104s and F-16s drilled into the landscape here at an alarming rate.

rcfieldz · 15th June 2012, 12:00 PM

The one with the biggest remote control airplane wins...

Dinwar · 15th June 2012, 12:35 PM

No, see, if they let you see it it's not the experimental prototype. This is nothing more than an extruded plastic blob, specifically built to fool the sheeple into thinking they've seen an experimental prototype. Think about it--everyone's looking at these photos, meaning that the gubment can be doing whatever they want, pretty much anywhere else!

Originally Posted by X

Experimental aircraft are usually tested over large, empty area. It has to do with that "experimental" part.

Not necessarily. Boeing has a facility in Georgia where they build and test experimental aircrafts. I used to do groundwater surveys on the base. It's on the outskirts of the Atlanta area--far enough out that it's not in Atlanta itself, but it's certainly not in a large, empty area. I'll grant you that these were pretty far along in the experimental phase--the main one, the F22, was already public knowledge, for example, despite not actually being finished yet--but they were still designated "experimental".

The base was usually pretty low-key, as you had a lot of machinists, welders, and the like coming and going--guys that really didn't care if they were welding for cars or planes, it was just a job, you know? That said, on occasion it could get...tense. One day we were leaving the base and the guard, who knew us by site if not name and who usually carried a pistol, had an automatic slung across his chest and never took his hand away from the trigger (wasn't ON the trigger, but all it would have taken was a twitch). He was polite enough, but very thorough in checking our paperwork. We got out and noticed a LOT of security with asault rifles and the like roaming around. Never did find out what that was all about, either. Freaked me out because I'd just gotten my access badge that day or the day before.

Originally Posted by rcfieldz

The one with the biggest remote control airplane wins...

Remote-controlled drones make a lot of sense. I mean, if an experienced pilot gets shot down you lose the materials and tech in the plane, but you also lose the experience and skill of the guy flying it. If a drone gets shot down, the pilot can simply move to the next drone, meaning they can actually gain experience from a failed mission.

steve s · 16th June 2012, 03:34 PM

The Air Force's X37B returned from space after more than a year in orbit.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47842589/#.T90I2MWZjSg

Steve S

Hellbound · 16th June 2012, 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by X

Experimental aircraft are usually tested over large, empty area. It has to do with that "experimental" part.

And a lot of that is because, especially with military craft, they can cause a large, empty area if the test goes awry

Multivac · 18th June 2012, 03:00 AM

Originally Posted by steve s

The Air Force's X37B returned from space after more than a year in orbit.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47842589/#.T90I2MWZjSg

Steve S

Interesting, thanks. Wonder what it was doing. Testing new hardware? Or was it a test of the craft itself?

Spindrift · 18th June 2012, 06:38 AM

Originally Posted by Multivac

Interesting, thanks. Wonder what it was doing. Testing new hardware? Or was it a test of the craft itself?

Meeting with our reptilian overlords.

theprestige · 18th June 2012, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by Multivac

Interesting, thanks. Wonder what it was doing. Testing new hardware? Or was it a test of the craft itself?

The craft is purportedly a scaled-down prototype of a much larger robotic spaceplane the Air Force would like to have. The best information we have supports the conclusion that it was--at least in part--a test of the aircraft itself (and probably of its ground control and other support systems and personnel).

However, the Air Force has been endearingly quite open about not revealing any specifics about this aircraft's mission and on-orbit activities.

Multivac · 19th June 2012, 02:38 AM

Originally Posted by Spindrift

Meeting with our reptilian overlords.

Ssssshhhhhhhh! That was supposed to be a secret.

Multivac · 19th June 2012, 02:39 AM

Originally Posted by theprestige

The craft is purportedly a scaled-down prototype of a much larger robotic spaceplane the Air Force would like to have. The best information we have supports the conclusion that it was--at least in part--a test of the aircraft itself (and probably of its ground control and other support systems and personnel).

Interesting. Thankyou.

Originally Posted by theprestige

However, the Air Force has been endearingly quite open about not revealing any specifics about this aircraft's mission and on-orbit activities.

theprestige · 19th June 2012, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by Multivac

Seriously, they've been happy to hold press conferences about this thing at the drop of a hat, and enthusiastically tell everybody how well it's performing and how happy they are about it, but the moment anybody asks for details... "I can't comment on that."

Dinwar · 19th June 2012, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by theprestige

Seriously, they've been happy to hold press conferences about this thing at the drop of a hat, and enthusiastically tell everybody how well it's performing and how happy they are about it, but the moment anybody asks for details... "I can't comment on that."

It's all part of the conspiracy, man, I'm telling ya! They WANT us to focus on this thing--that way we're not looking at the rest of what they're doing!!!11eleventy!

I Ratant · 19th June 2012, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by theprestige

The craft is purportedly a scaled-down prototype of a much larger robotic spaceplane the Air Force would like to have. The best information we have supports the conclusion that it was--at least in part--a test of the aircraft itself (and probably of its ground control and other support systems and personnel).

However, the Air Force has been endearingly quite open about not revealing any specifics about this aircraft's mission and on-orbit activities.

.
And it's back up there!

14th June 2012, 01:45 PM	#1
rcfieldz Muse Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 819	X-47b http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/20...o-mystery?lite http://defensetech.org/2011/12/19/vi...-on-a-flatbed/ What gives? Is it a dud? Why can't they just fly it to wherever?
	__________________ http://www.mynvfi.org/

14th June 2012, 01:53 PM	#3
Spindrift Enturbulator Extraordinaire Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Right here! Posts: 8,460	Originally Posted by rcfieldz http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/20...o-mystery?lite http://defensetech.org/2011/12/19/vi...-on-a-flatbed/ What gives? Is it a dud? Why can't they just fly it to wherever? The X stands for Experimental. That means they need to test it first and it wasn't built (California) where they're going to test it (Maryland).
	__________________ I've always believed that cluelessness evolved as an adaptation to allow the truly appalling to live with themselves. - G. B. Trudeau A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it. - Kay, Men in Black.

14th June 2012, 05:27 PM	#4
I Ratant Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 15,305	The smaller X-46 was piggybacked on the NASA 747. Mayhap the 747 couldn't land at PAX? The A-12s and SR-71s were transported from Burbank to Groom Lake, for the A-12, and Edwards for the SR, in large boxes via Sierra Highway and points east. I saw one of those boxes snuggled up to a loading ramp in Burbank years ago.
	Last edited by I Ratant; 14th June 2012 at 05:39 PM.

14th June 2012, 05:57 PM	#5
casebro Philosopher Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 6,800	I guess I'll show my age. I thought this was about a '50s ufo sighting, involving an XB-47 Stratofortress. You remember the UFO that crashed in the woods in Pennsylvania and the Army hauled it away on a flat bed covered in tarps? I figured it is about time they came clean on some of those old claimed UFOs. Oh well, file still sealed I guess.
casebro Philosopher Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 6,800	__________________ Please pardon me for having ideas, not facts. Some have called me cynical, but I don't believe them. It's not how many breaths you take. It's how many times you have been breathless that counts.

15th June 2012, 05:04 AM	#6
Crossbow Seeking Honesty and Sanity Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 6,294	Originally Posted by rcfieldz http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/20...o-mystery?lite http://defensetech.org/2011/12/19/vi...-on-a-flatbed/ What gives? Is it a dud? Why can't they just fly it to wherever? Well, right off hand I can think of a few reasons why this device should not be flown just anywhere. So the next time you visit that public library where you do your posting from, then do yourself a favor and check out the development and testing of experimental aircraft if you actually do want an answer to your question.
	__________________ A man's best friend is his dogma.

14th June 2012, 01:50 PM	#2
geni Anti-homeopathy illuminati member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: UK Posts: 26,578	Originally Posted by rcfieldz http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/20...o-mystery?lite http://defensetech.org/2011/12/19/vi...-on-a-flatbed/ What gives? Is it a dud? Why can't they just fly it to wherever? Plying drones through general airspace requires a bunch of paperwork.

15th June 2012, 06:24 AM	#7
ElMondoHummus 0.25 short of being half-witted Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Somewhere north of the South Pole Posts: 11,943	Originally Posted by rcfieldz http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/20...o-mystery?lite http://defensetech.org/2011/12/19/vi...-on-a-flatbed/ What gives? Is it a dud? Why can't they just fly it to wherever? From the MSNBC link - Best observation ever : Quote: Don't worry, that's not an alien spacecraft, just a flying military robot. Totally normal sentence in 2012. I love the future. #beltwayufo
	__________________ must take this very carefully....booze is wise men's drink..... -pillory "... I'm quite willing to have everyone use my rejection of the 9/11 conspiracy theory as a basis for assessing my intelligence, judgment, and trustworthiness" -Prof. Ann Althouse

15th June 2012, 07:08 AM	#8
X Slide Rulez 4 Life Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Launching the army, waiting for Hok to commit her forces (then the moles strike...) Posts: 4,082	Originally Posted by rcfieldz What gives? Is it a dud? Why can't they just fly it to wherever? Experimental aircraft are usually tested over large, empty area. It has to do with that "experimental" part.
	__________________ It is sad that this is necessary: Argumentum Ad Hominem: "You are wrong because you are ugly." Not Ad-Hom: "You are wrong and you are ugly." [X's posts are] ...as good as having 24 hours of Justin Bieber piped into your ears! - kmortis

15th June 2012, 09:03 AM	#9
I Ratant Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 15,305	Northrop lost a fighter prototype just before WWII, testing it over the Pacific. Never been found. F-104s and F-16s drilled into the landscape here at an alarming rate.

15th June 2012, 12:00 PM	#10
rcfieldz Muse Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 819	That's what our tax dollars buy. The one with the biggest remote control airplane wins...
	__________________ http://www.mynvfi.org/

15th June 2012, 12:35 PM	#11
Dinwar Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 8,978	No, see, if they let you see it it's not the experimental prototype. This is nothing more than an extruded plastic blob, specifically built to fool the sheeple into thinking they've seen an experimental prototype. Think about it--everyone's looking at these photos, meaning that the gubment can be doing whatever they want, pretty much anywhere else! Originally Posted by X Experimental aircraft are usually tested over large, empty area. It has to do with that "experimental" part. Not necessarily. Boeing has a facility in Georgia where they build and test experimental aircrafts. I used to do groundwater surveys on the base. It's on the outskirts of the Atlanta area--far enough out that it's not in Atlanta itself, but it's certainly not in a large, empty area. I'll grant you that these were pretty far along in the experimental phase--the main one, the F22, was already public knowledge, for example, despite not actually being finished yet--but they were still designated "experimental". The base was usually pretty low-key, as you had a lot of machinists, welders, and the like coming and going--guys that really didn't care if they were welding for cars or planes, it was just a job, you know? That said, on occasion it could get...tense. One day we were leaving the base and the guard, who knew us by site if not name and who usually carried a pistol, had an automatic slung across his chest and never took his hand away from the trigger (wasn't ON the trigger, but all it would have taken was a twitch). He was polite enough, but very thorough in checking our paperwork. We got out and noticed a LOT of security with asault rifles and the like roaming around. Never did find out what that was all about, either. Freaked me out because I'd just gotten my access badge that day or the day before. Originally Posted by rcfieldz The one with the biggest remote control airplane wins... Remote-controlled drones make a lot of sense. I mean, if an experienced pilot gets shot down you lose the materials and tech in the plane, but you also lose the experience and skill of the guy flying it. If a drone gets shot down, the pilot can simply move to the next drone, meaning they can actually gain experience from a failed mission.
Dinwar Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 8,978	__________________ GENERATION 8: The first time you see this, copy it into your sig on any forum and add 1 to the generation. Social experiment. Ein krieg ohne feinde.

16th June 2012, 03:34 PM	#12
steve s Illuminator Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,669	The Air Force's X37B returned from space after more than a year in orbit. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47842589/#.T90I2MWZjSg Steve S
steve s Illuminator Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,669	__________________ "Nature abhors a moron." -- H. L. Mencken

16th June 2012, 04:02 PM	#13
Hellbound Abiogenic Spongiform Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: In a handbasket Posts: 8,942	Originally Posted by X Experimental aircraft are usually tested over large, empty area. It has to do with that "experimental" part. And a lot of that is because, especially with military craft, they can cause a large, empty area if the test goes awry

18th June 2012, 03:00 AM	#14
Multivac Graduate Poster Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 1,947	Originally Posted by steve s The Air Force's X37B returned from space after more than a year in orbit. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47842589/#.T90I2MWZjSg Steve S Interesting, thanks. Wonder what it was doing. Testing new hardware? Or was it a test of the craft itself?

18th June 2012, 06:38 AM	#15
Spindrift Enturbulator Extraordinaire Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Right here! Posts: 8,460	Originally Posted by Multivac Interesting, thanks. Wonder what it was doing. Testing new hardware? Or was it a test of the craft itself? Meeting with our reptilian overlords.
	__________________ I've always believed that cluelessness evolved as an adaptation to allow the truly appalling to live with themselves. - G. B. Trudeau A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it. - Kay, Men in Black.

18th June 2012, 11:50 AM	#16
theprestige Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 8,671	Originally Posted by Multivac Interesting, thanks. Wonder what it was doing. Testing new hardware? Or was it a test of the craft itself? The craft is purportedly a scaled-down prototype of a much larger robotic spaceplane the Air Force would like to have. The best information we have supports the conclusion that it was--at least in part--a test of the aircraft itself (and probably of its ground control and other support systems and personnel). However, the Air Force has been endearingly quite open about not revealing any specifics about this aircraft's mission and on-orbit activities.
theprestige Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 8,671

19th June 2012, 02:38 AM	#17
Multivac Graduate Poster Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 1,947	Originally Posted by Spindrift Meeting with our reptilian overlords. Ssssshhhhhhhh! That was supposed to be a secret.

19th June 2012, 02:39 AM	#18
Multivac Graduate Poster Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 1,947	Originally Posted by theprestige The craft is purportedly a scaled-down prototype of a much larger robotic spaceplane the Air Force would like to have. The best information we have supports the conclusion that it was--at least in part--a test of the aircraft itself (and probably of its ground control and other support systems and personnel). Interesting. Thankyou. Originally Posted by theprestige However, the Air Force has been endearingly quite open about not revealing any specifics about this aircraft's mission and on-orbit activities.

19th June 2012, 11:53 AM	#19
theprestige Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 8,671	Originally Posted by Multivac Seriously, they've been happy to hold press conferences about this thing at the drop of a hat, and enthusiastically tell everybody how well it's performing and how happy they are about it, but the moment anybody asks for details... "I can't comment on that."
theprestige Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 8,671

19th June 2012, 12:21 PM	#20
Dinwar Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 8,978	Originally Posted by theprestige Seriously, they've been happy to hold press conferences about this thing at the drop of a hat, and enthusiastically tell everybody how well it's performing and how happy they are about it, but the moment anybody asks for details... "I can't comment on that." It's all part of the conspiracy, man, I'm telling ya! They WANT us to focus on this thing--that way we're not looking at the rest of what they're doing!!!11eleventy!
Dinwar Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 8,978	__________________ GENERATION 8: The first time you see this, copy it into your sig on any forum and add 1 to the generation. Social experiment. Ein krieg ohne feinde.

19th June 2012, 04:44 PM	#21
I Ratant Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 15,305	Originally Posted by theprestige The craft is purportedly a scaled-down prototype of a much larger robotic spaceplane the Air Force would like to have. The best information we have supports the conclusion that it was--at least in part--a test of the aircraft itself (and probably of its ground control and other support systems and personnel). However, the Air Force has been endearingly quite open about not revealing any specifics about this aircraft's mission and on-orbit activities. . And it's back up there!