So. What do we know about the "Aurora" spyplane?

I remember hearing about the "Aurora" during the late 80's. The rumor afterwards was "there's a reason why they moved the F-117 out of Area 51".

 

I would say that it's not a functioning aircraft, but considering that the stealth blackhawk is still mostly an unknown I'm not sure what's really out there.

 

If the Aurora is real, then the SR-72 and all the recent scramjet X-planes are a smokescreen.

Regards,

Art S.

 

We've been hearing about this plane for a very long time. I even remember a model company building a kit of the concept. That was along time ago. If anything, I think that plane would have come to light by now. 30 years is a long time to keep somthing top secret and so technologically advanced. At the time it must have been 50 years ahead of anything else to keep it secret for this long.

 

I would disagree because the military develops technologies in parallel.

 

With satellites, its hard to see any value to such a plane. Of course, consider our govt spending habits and history of pissing away tax dollars on unnecessary items, I would suppose its damn foolish to rule it out.

 

Sounds like you do not know much about orbital mechanics. Satellites are not always, or even usually, where you want them when you want them.

 

Yep, that's very true; I remember the Gulf War in 1991; the SR-71 has just been retired and sent to the mothballs; field intelligence was relying on satellites only. General Norman Schwartzkopf was getting more and more desesperate every day that he failed to have the "on the spot" intelligence he needed and said one day: "please give me back SR-71 coverage anytime!"

Rgds

 

There was a mysterious boom at night in Huntsville Alabama a few days ago. The Redstone Arsenal told local residents that they were exploding old munitions, but it seems weird to do that at night.

Perhaps it was a supersonic plane instead?

All the best,
Andrew.

 

In addition to what Taz said, the bad guys know when the satellites are going to be overhead and don't put there stuff out where it can be seen when they are. Satellites aren't worthless, but if you know what you are doing you can make them pretty much worthless.

 

That's why they have the X-37.

 

Kelly Johnson passed in Dec 1990 and so did the Aurora. Which is the reason why we have been having only marginal success with scramjet x-planes for the last couple decades. At least that is my theory.

 

The U-2s flying out of Taif provided nearly all the intelligence Stormin' Norman needed. We did shorten the life of one of our birds (satellites) by moving it into an orbit that gave better coverage of Southwest Asia.

 

We also had portable systems in the field in that did well, the U2's were just a piece of multi service/agencyintel..
Those with Aurora/platform knowledge, have it...and more likely not at liberty to discuss...

 

To me, it's simply staggering that we allow our ruling elite to spend 30 billion on a black budget without any explanation.

 

The bad news is that it is more likely that the spend exceeds $30B.

 

Generally speaking IMO the bang for the buck can be much greater in these black programs than those that aren't. Plus for those involved it can be a lot of fun.

 

30 billion can buy you A LOT of fun I'll bet..especially when the money is free!!

 

News flash. Unfortunately, it ain't "free." :-((

 

I know..but they spend it like it is unfortunately.

 

Well stated.


As and long as black budget means secret---the value or lack thereof is not known.

 

Just think. The USA military blew 150 billion on ONE now cancelled military project. That is more then the entire russian military budget, at 119 billion.

 

Conflict with a near-peer adversary will also result in the loss of some satellites.

 

What cancelled project is this?