(ORDO NEWS) — Satellite images of the military base “Zone-51” found an unusual object with a delta wing. According to some experts, we are talking about the sixth generation fighter, which is being created under the Next Generation Air Dominance program.
The massive hangar, located in a remote part of Area 51, was practically not used for many years. Only a few vehicles could be seen nearby. In addition, there was practically no infrastructure around.
New satellite imagery from Planet Labs shows not only increased activity around the hangar, but also something very curious not far from it, namely, a never-before-seen “exotic” aircraft. He is inside a temporary shelter without a roof. This allows you to get a general idea about it.
The plane has a length of 20 meters and a width of 15 meters. In other words, this is a rather large machine, the dimensions of which practically coincide with the dimensions of the Soviet Su-27 fighter.
The aircraft received a delta wing similar to that of the Concorde. Its rear edge is curved.
The forward part of the fuselage tapers and ends, probably, with a pointed nose. The aircraft does not have any noticeable tail.
It is difficult to say what exactly is in front of us, but the size and shape are generally similar to the concepts of the sixth generation American fighter, which is being created under the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.
We are talking about an optionally manned or unmanned platform, which should be inconspicuous and have a large combat radius.
The problem is that we still do not know exactly how the plane should look and whether the concepts posted on the Web can be trusted. Meanwhile, the fact of testing a new machine is obvious.
The best proof of this is the statement of the Americans made the year before last. As the US Air Force noted at the time, we are talking about a “full-scale demonstrator” that “broke many records.”
By itself, the fact of developing a sixth-generation fighter has not surprised anyone for a long time. In Europe, for example, they are working on two such programs at once – Future Combat Air System (FCAS) and Tempest.
Moreover, the Europeans, unlike the Americans, have already shown the world models of their cars and named their main features.
European fighters of the sixth generation can be adopted by about 2035-2040. Most likely, new American aircraft will be put into operation at the same time.
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