AF plans X-51 supersonic engine flight test

AF plans X-51 supersonic engine flight test: "DAYTON, Ohio — The Air Force plans to send a futuristic-looking aircraft roaring out over the Pacific Ocean at hypersonic speeds this fall in its first flight test of a scramjet engine."

(Via Air Force Times - News.)

Air Force deploying Raptors to Japan, Guam

Air Force deploying Raptors to Japan, Guam: "HONOLULU — The Air Force says it will deploy two contingents of the world’s most advanced fighter jet, the F-22, to Japan and Guam this month."

(Via Air Force Times - News.)

Rocket with military satellite launches

Rocket with military satellite launches: "ATLANTIC, Va. — A Minotaur I rocket has blasted off from Virginia’s Eastern Shore."

(Via Air Force Times - News.)

Was Polecat Part of a Litter with the Kandahar UAS?

Was Polecat Part of a Litter with the Kandahar UAS?: "

Does Lockheed Martin's ill-fated Polecat UAS demonstrator share a lineage with the so-called Beast of Kandahar?

Graham Warwick posted this pic of the UAS flying out of Afghanistan last week. It isn't much to go on, but you can see a basic outline of the airframe, and the landing gear down.'

Realizing this is nothing but speculation -- and hopefully educated speculation -- it does resemble the Skunk Works's Polecat, no? I pulled these photos of the UAS at a similar angle to the mystery aircraft.

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Skunk Works has been mum for years on their UAS projects, except of course for their Polecat, which crashed for about as silly a reason as a UAS can crash. A ground controller accidentally flipped the switch which told the system to crash -- at least that was the best version I heard. The intakes -- or whatever they are -- on the top of the Kandahar UAS are interesting ... I found this old pic of Polecat that shows its angled 'eyebrows.'

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What do you think; has Skunk Works been busy?

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(Via Ares.)

Norad Flight Exercise Planned for Washington, D.C.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command and its
geographical component, the Continental United States NORAD Region, will
conduct exercise Falcon Virgo 09-07, on May 19 and 20 between midnight and 6
a.m. EDT in the National Capital Region (NCR), Washington, D.C.

The exercise comprises a series of training flights held in
coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Capital
Region Command Center, the Joint Air Defense Operations Center, the
Continental U.S. NORAD Region (CONR), Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard
and CONR's Western Air Defense Sector.

Exercise Falcon Virgo is designed to hone NORAD's intercept
and identification operations, as well as procedural tests of the NCR Visual
Warning System. Two Civil Air Patrol Cessna aircraft, two Air Force F-16s
and one Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter will participate in the
exercise. Residents may see these aircraft approaching and flying in the
vicinity of the Washington D.C. area as part of this exercise during the
late night and early morning hours from midnight through 6 a.m. on May 19th
and the 20th .

For more information on the Falcon Virgo exercise, please
contact CONR Public Affairs at (850) 283-8080, or the NORAD Public Affairs
Office at (719) 554-6889.