Something is happening at Area 51. While it may not be a UFO discovery, it still could very well involve a futuristic flying machine. The mysterious area of Nevada has recently seen a number of construction projects taken place. There is a new “U” shaped taxiway, vehicle roadway, and most intriguingly a large aircraft hangar. All of these enigmatic undertakings are being created inside the restricted Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) right now. Rumors are that the new construction is related to B-21 Raider.
Many believe that the new airplane hangar will house the brand new B-21 Raider stealth bomber. The hangar is 250-foot by 275-foot and considerably larger than what’s necessary for the current B-2 Spirit bomber, which has a wingspan of 172-feet. Satellite photos from the highly secretive and immensely restrictive 4,531-square-mile area comes the newly constructed structures.
With New Projects in Development, and New Construction, Groom Lake Seems To Be Ramping Up. Based On Satellite Imagery Analysis Are We Seeing B-21 Raider Development and Testing Activity at Area 51? Story: https://t.co/JgEyBhMfcK pic.twitter.com/qlnQKFMdN7
— The Aviationist (@TheAviationist) November 28, 2017
There have been sightings of the F-117s and F-16s in the area as well sparking rumors that they could be testing out a new radar-defeating aspect to these modern jet fighters. The Popular Mechanics reports: “The Nighthawks could be testing some kind of new infrared suppression system designed to combat heat buildup on the aircraft airframe and the jet engine exhaust, with the F-16 monitoring the Nighthawk’s infrared signature during test flights.”
The U.S. Air Force’s next-generation stealth bomber is the replacement of the existing B-1 Spirit stealth bomber. The long-range bomber is being engineered to have stealth capabilities to elude the most advanced existing air defenses and the endurance to attack anywhere in the world. Northrop Grumman is currently developing the bat-winged B-21 Raider, which costs $550 for just one plane. The Air Force wants to have at least 100 B-21 bombers to replace the aging B-52H Stratofortress and B-1B Lancer bombers.