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Posted: 2/18/2021 9:24:46 PM EDT
https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/amp35524610/skunk-works-testing-speed-racer-secret-new-aircraft/
IMAGE IS NOT OF SPEED RACER.... POPULAR MECHANICS JUST USED AN OLD PHOTO OF THE DARKSTAR  Lockheed Martin’s famous “Skunk Works” division will soon begin testing a secret new aircraft, according to Aviation Week. Lockheed designed the uncrewed vehicle, nicknamed “Speed Racer,” using an all-new digital engineering process known as StarDrive. The aircraft’s mission—if it even has one, other than validating the StarDrive process—is still a total mystery. Lockheed originally announced the aircraft in September 2020. While Skunk Works officials didn’t reveal any details about Speed Racer’s configuration, they did tout StarDrive, a process that allows for the rapid development of modern aircraft, which has grown increasingly complicated over time. StarDrive should allow for faster and cheaper development of military aircraft. Nobody outside of Skunkworks knows its purpose. Looks interesting. High altitude, high speed reconicince? |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 9:29:33 PM EDT
[#1]
High altitude, high speed unmanned reconnaissance aircraft? Where have I heard that before?
 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_D-21 |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 9:31:07 PM EDT
[#2]
Throwback Thursday thread?
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Posted: 2/18/2021 9:33:28 PM EDT
[#3]
Darkstar painted white? |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 9:34:48 PM EDT
[#4]
If it's secret why are they publishing photos???
Seems like redirection. |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 9:41:27 PM EDT
[#5]
 SPEED RACER 1967 Cartoon Intro |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 9:47:32 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted: If it's secret why are they publishing photos??? Seems like redirection. I'm just a dumb ass. But I don't think whatever is in that pic is going to be some sort of high speed drone with that wing. High flying, no doubt. |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 9:50:12 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Darkstar painted white? Darkstar RQ-3 Maybe Popular Mechanics just dusted off an old picture? The styles of attire and picture quality look about early 1990's, too. |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 9:51:14 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I'm just a dumb ass. But I don't think whatever is in that pic is going to be some sort of high speed drone with that wing. High flying, no doubt. I concur. When I saw the picture my eyebrow raised. But at a high enough altitude, high speed (relatively) is achievable. Obviously not A-12 or SR-71 speeds. |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 9:53:09 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I'm just a dumb ass. But I don't think whatever is in that pic is going to be some sort of high speed drone with that wing. High flying, no doubt. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: If it's secret why are they publishing photos??? Seems like redirection. I'm just a dumb ass. But I don't think whatever is in that pic is going to be some sort of high speed drone with that wing. High flying, no doubt. Exactly my thoughts. Thats not a high speed wing. Thats a U2 wing |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 9:53:14 PM EDT
[#10]
I'm pretty sure that's not a picture of "Speed Racer" unless they've reverted to film cameras to take press photos at Lockheed.
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Posted: 2/18/2021 9:53:19 PM EDT
[#11]
That is a picture of RQ-3 circa 1996.
The picture was taken on the north side of Palmdale Building 602, from the rooftop. |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 9:54:19 PM EDT
[#12]
Chim-Chim wrote the code
Pops built it |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 9:54:27 PM EDT
[#13]
Quoted: Nobody outside of Skunkworks knows its purpose. Looks interesting. High altitude, high speed reconicince? What's that? |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 9:56:07 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted: That was my first thought. Darkstar RQ-3 Maybe Popular Mechanics just dusted off an old picture? The styles of attire and picture quality look about early 1990's, too. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Darkstar painted white? Darkstar RQ-3 Maybe Popular Mechanics just dusted off an old picture? The styles of attire and picture quality look about early 1990's, too. I think the picture Popular Mechanics posted is the DarkStar. Here is a article with more info: https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/secretive-new-skunk-works-uas-set-ground-testing-soon The only clear fact about Speed Racer is that it is powered by multiple engines made by TDI, which suggests a smaller vehicle. TDI’s product portfolio consists of four turbojets with diameters between 4.5-8.5 in., and power ratings between 30-200-lb. thrust. Sounds like this thing is very small. |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 9:56:55 PM EDT
[#15]
If it was round like that old picture then that could be the UFO pilots have been seeing.
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Posted: 2/18/2021 9:57:17 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted: That is a picture of RQ-3 circa 1996 Yep, and it's old enough that there is already one in a museum. m ETA: To be fair, a google image search for 'Lockheed Speed Racer' turns up the OP's image... |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 10:05:19 PM EDT
[#17]
Kinda looks like a dog's asshole from the front but OK I guess.
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Posted: 2/18/2021 10:07:02 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted: That is a picture of RQ-3 circa 1996. The picture was taken on the north side of Palmdale Building 602, from the rooftop. Kind of thought I've seen that pic somewhere in the past. 
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Posted: 2/18/2021 10:08:36 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote History DJ Keoki Speed Racer Trance Rave Hardhouse Club Fast Mix |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 10:14:32 PM EDT
[#20]
I wonder if this “Stardrive” is the reason we supposedly have 6th generation fighter prototypes flying.
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Posted: 2/18/2021 10:21:24 PM EDT
[#21]
Hope its a next generation SR-71 type drone that carry's MIRVs.
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Posted: 2/18/2021 10:22:46 PM EDT
[#22]
 Speed |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 10:25:05 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Speed Good luck on your test flight! |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 10:26:34 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I'm just a dumb ass. But I don't think whatever is in that pic is going to be some sort of high speed drone with that wing. High flying, no doubt. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: If it's secret why are they publishing photos??? Seems like redirection. I'm just a dumb ass. But I don't think whatever is in that pic is going to be some sort of high speed drone with that wing. High flying, no doubt. |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 10:27:37 PM EDT
[#25]
High speed?
Not with those wings. |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 10:30:31 PM EDT
[#26]
Is it TicTac shaped?
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Posted: 2/18/2021 10:30:54 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted: If it's secret why are they publishing photos??? Seems like redirection. Because they’re already on the 3rd generation... |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 10:45:51 PM EDT
[#28]
I’m more interested in the stealth tanker and transport they’re proposing
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Posted: 2/18/2021 10:46:43 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I concur. When I saw the picture my eyebrow raised. But at a high enough altitude, high speed (relatively) is achievable. Obviously not A-12 or SR-71 speeds. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: I'm just a dumb ass. But I don't think whatever is in that pic is going to be some sort of high speed drone with that wing. High flying, no doubt. I concur. When I saw the picture my eyebrow raised. But at a high enough altitude, high speed (relatively) is achievable. Obviously not A-12 or SR-71 speeds. The U2 is damn near supersonic at it’s cruising altitude. It’s also nearly stalled.
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Posted: 2/18/2021 10:56:23 PM EDT
[#30]
Why do we know this?
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Posted: 2/18/2021 11:00:55 PM EDT
[#31]
"Speed Racer" could also be an allusion to the speed of development and manufacturing.
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Posted: 2/18/2021 11:09:31 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted: High altitude, high speed unmanned reconnaissance aircraft? Where have I heard that before? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_D-21 It sort of boggles my mind how that thing was flying when the Beatles were still “new” and before ‘Star Trek’ existed... |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 11:11:31 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted: What's that? Sound it out. Does popular mechanics still think Area 51 is shut down and everything moved to dugway? Do they even have space to print such articles when all they do anymore is global warming Shill crap? |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 11:17:53 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I think the picture Popular Mechanics posted is the DarkStar. Here is a article with more info: https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/secretive-new-skunk-works-uas-set-ground-testing-soon Sounds like this thing is very small. Sounds like a clever way to reduce rcs... [/sarcasm] |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 11:19:28 PM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted: The U2 is damn near supersonic at it’s cruising altitude. It’s also nearly stalled. Funny how aerodynamics works like that. |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 11:29:38 PM EDT
[#36]
Question for the aero people here...
would it be possible to scale down the J58 turbo ramjet engines into a R/C size, or would they not work due to flying at lower altitudes? |
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Posted: 2/18/2021 11:33:26 PM EDT
[#37]
Nice. I just finished Ben Rich's book.
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Posted: 2/18/2021 11:36:48 PM EDT
[#38]
Didn't realize Popular Mechanics was still a thing.
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Posted: 2/19/2021 12:26:38 AM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Funny how aerodynamics works like that. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: The U2 is damn near supersonic at it’s cruising altitude. It’s also nearly stalled. Funny how aerodynamics works like that. Coffin corner |
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Posted: 2/19/2021 12:31:10 AM EDT
[#40]
Maybe if can go............ Mach 5?
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Posted: 2/19/2021 2:41:16 AM EDT
[#41]
Quoted: https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/amp35524610/skunk-works-testing-speed-racer-secret-new-aircraft/ IMAGE IS NOT OF SPEED RACER.... POPULAR MECHANICS JUST USED AN OLD PHOTO OF THE DARKSTAR https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/aerial-view-of-the-lockheed-martin-boeing-tier-iii-darkstar-news-photo-1613512830.?crop=0.77344xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* Lockheed Martin’s famous “Skunk Works” division will soon begin testing a secret new aircraft, according to Aviation Week. Lockheed designed the uncrewed vehicle, nicknamed “Speed Racer,” using an all-new digital engineering process known as StarDrive. The aircraft’s mission—if it even has one, other than validating the StarDrive process—is still a total mystery. Lockheed originally announced the aircraft in September 2020. While Skunk Works officials didn’t reveal any details about Speed Racer’s configuration, they did tout StarDrive, a process that allows for the rapid development of modern aircraft, which has grown increasingly complicated over time. StarDrive should allow for faster and cheaper development of military aircraft. Nobody outside of Skunkworks knows its purpose. Looks interesting. High altitude, high speed reconicince? And now its here-StarDrive? Well what I have been saying for the last 20 years is here. No more Pilots. No more Aviators. Only Warrant Officers in a cubicle with General Officers running programs, coding away. Until there are no more flyee things from being pirated by the coding iranians. The day that there are no more Pilots or Aviators we concede the sky to rail guns and killer satellites. I guess there will still be Space Force 
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Posted: 2/19/2021 2:43:23 AM EDT
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Darkstar painted white? Just in case they have to look for it in iran 
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