World's Most Secretive 737
Thread Starter
World's Most Secretive 737
Rat 55, Radar Airborne Testbed, looks like a cross between the Super Guppy and Groucho Marx! When asked about the functions of the craft by a reporter, the chief pilot responded: "I will tell you. Then I will kill you!"
Make of this what you will. RAT 55
- Ed
Make of this what you will. RAT 55
- Ed
Last edited by cavuman1; 8th Jun 2021 at 13:20. Reason: Add Photo
Thought police antagonist
I'm interested as to why its still got JT8 D's attached.
I'll get my engine course notes out and when I get the job, I'll let you know.
I'll get my engine course notes out and when I get the job, I'll let you know.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
KnC,
Because they don’t have to worry about fuel costs and, with plenty of spare parts and engines with 6 in storage at AMARC, what would be the point?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_T-43
Because they don’t have to worry about fuel costs and, with plenty of spare parts and engines with 6 in storage at AMARC, what would be the point?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_T-43
Thought police antagonist
KnC,
Because they don’t have to worry about fuel costs and, with plenty of spare parts and engines with 6 in storage at AMARC, what would be the point?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_T-43
Because they don’t have to worry about fuel costs and, with plenty of spare parts and engines with 6 in storage at AMARC, what would be the point?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_T-43
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Many of the military aircraft derived from passenger aircraft have surprisingly lower hours compared to their civil counterparts (by no means not all)
What about the Alien express ? the shuttle from Las Vegas to Groom lake .
Pretty sure a lot of the alien looking attendees at the Star Trek convention in Las Vegas flew in from Area 51 onboard the white 737 with the red stripe . Although one of my friends who used to commute on it just laughed when I asked if I could get a tour of the UFOs . He said even his accreditation and clearance did not let him tour the space ships .
Pretty sure a lot of the alien looking attendees at the Star Trek convention in Las Vegas flew in from Area 51 onboard the white 737 with the red stripe . Although one of my friends who used to commute on it just laughed when I asked if I could get a tour of the UFOs . He said even his accreditation and clearance did not let him tour the space ships .
That's the very first 757 to fly (NA001) - it was modified for use as a flying testbed for F-22 flight software. Not sure where it is now, but for a long time it was parked down at the south end of Boeing Field (which is the airport it's landing at in the video) - I'd drive by it on a regular basis when I was working at Boeing Field.
Never heard it called the Catfish before though...
That's a distinct possibility, given it's task. I know that was a big deal on the 747-200 based Air Force One aircraft - those old fashioned analog electronics made it a lot easier to get the EMI protection levels the USAF wanted.
Back maybe 15 years ago, Boeing had a contract to build a prototype E-10 aircraft based on a 767-400ER airframe. It was going to have a huge, powerful ground search radar hung under the forward fuselage (the longer 767-400 airframe being dictated by the size of the radar). That radar was direct line of sight with the engine FADECs, and interference with engine operation was a big concern. I got a call that went something like this:
"What level of HIRF can the CF6-80C2 FADEC handle?"
"We tested to 200 volts/meter, wide band, from x to y megahertz, it passed"
"Yea, but what can it handle?"
"Don't know, we didn't test to failure, we only tested to 200 volts/meter - that's what the FAA mandated - and it passed. What's the threat?"
"Can't tell you that - it's classified. How much can it handle?"
"Well, we'd have to test it again, but to be useful we'd need to know the threat so we know what to test for. The test isn't cheap, plus depending on the threat we may not be able to duplicate it in the lab."
"Oh, I'll get back to you."
About 3 months later that call would be repeated... Went on for over a year. Finally the program got cancelled.
That 767-400ER was the last one ever built - eventually it was equipped as a standard passenger 767 and delivered to a commercial customer...
Never heard it called the Catfish before though...
Maybe they want old fashioned avionics that aren’t as susceptible to high levels of RF energy.
Back maybe 15 years ago, Boeing had a contract to build a prototype E-10 aircraft based on a 767-400ER airframe. It was going to have a huge, powerful ground search radar hung under the forward fuselage (the longer 767-400 airframe being dictated by the size of the radar). That radar was direct line of sight with the engine FADECs, and interference with engine operation was a big concern. I got a call that went something like this:
"What level of HIRF can the CF6-80C2 FADEC handle?"
"We tested to 200 volts/meter, wide band, from x to y megahertz, it passed"
"Yea, but what can it handle?"
"Don't know, we didn't test to failure, we only tested to 200 volts/meter - that's what the FAA mandated - and it passed. What's the threat?"
"Can't tell you that - it's classified. How much can it handle?"
"Well, we'd have to test it again, but to be useful we'd need to know the threat so we know what to test for. The test isn't cheap, plus depending on the threat we may not be able to duplicate it in the lab."
"Oh, I'll get back to you."
About 3 months later that call would be repeated... Went on for over a year. Finally the program got cancelled.
That 767-400ER was the last one ever built - eventually it was equipped as a standard passenger 767 and delivered to a commercial customer...
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Tdracer,
Now operating out of Palmdale Plant 42.
Returning to the most secret 737 theme and RAT55
https://jalopnik.com/the-worlds-most...ost-1686479619
Then of course there’s…..
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...y-modified-737
But we’ve been here before….
USAF B737-700 N712JM
Now operating out of Palmdale Plant 42.
Returning to the most secret 737 theme and RAT55
https://jalopnik.com/the-worlds-most...ost-1686479619
Then of course there’s…..
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...y-modified-737
But we’ve been here before….
USAF B737-700 N712JM
