Palmdale Plant 42 - PMD

[blazer]

The top secret projects are seen by everyone in the Antelope Valley but u park on Sierra Highway and u r a terrorist is an absolute joke of a security policy. Go to Sams Club or Walmart on 10th St. West and u can see everything that goes out of there. This is another case of Aviation Photographers being labeld as bad guys. 

[aero-engineer]

Which makes me think they're going to run more of the UCAV programs out of there.

Probably not.

The Global Hawks just got the OK to do flight testing out of there, but Northrop Grumman had to send the X-47B to EAFB via truck.

If anything, maybe it has to do with those Red and White 737s that started showing up A LOT more frequently some time ago.

[gfydad]

A nice afternoon offering a variety of airframes...

I caught the strobe on the first B-2 shot. 

[WARBIRD KEITH]

Nice shots jim,  the T-38 shot, note the guy in back with the red old school Cold war era Helmet! Cool!

[gfydad]

Thanks Keith,
That caught my attention too!

One thing I totally overlooked due to the "interetsing" nose on the top photo...

You may want to check the pod under the BAC 111.
According to the AF fact sheet, it's a "Precision geo-location and non-traditional intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance"  

[gfydad]

More variety today...
747-8F
Altus KC-135
C-12
Ed Viper belly and side shots

[phantomphan1974]

Those white pods are interesting.

[nmcbride]

Is the 747 back or just passing through?

Spring has sprung and I haven't been out shooting more than once...guess I need to get out more.

[gfydad]

I had the same thoughts Damon.

The Dash 8 has been there at least since the beginning of the week. I didn't get out today to see anything though.

[aero-engineer]

Those white pods are interesting.

Those are training pods.  I would have to look up the designations.
I believe they are old rocket pods modded to drop little blue bombs.

I know the F-117As used to use those.

Kevin
aero-engineer

[aim9xray]

SUU-20 training pod.  Purpose designed to carry small rockets and BDU "training" bomblets.  It's been around since the late 1960s, at least. Also carried on F-4s (particularly at Luke), AT-38B, F-111 and occasionally F-16 as seen.

[phantomphan1974]

Thanks Craig and Kevin.

[nmcbride]

[phantomphan1974]

Nice!

[SkyBaby]

Wow great shot!  Is the 747-8 Intercontinental coming out here for testing at some point?  Or maybe down to KSBD?