Threat Axis

OK I have to admit that I have been underwhelmed by the response to this post. This is a one of a kind aircraft and while it isn’t quite a ‘black’ project – the fact that it exists indicates how evolutionary this project is.

The challenge was;

• Whose plane is it?
• What is used for?
• What is the original airframe?
• Where is this plane based?

The answers;

• Whose plane is it?

This is a Boeing operated airplane.

• What is used for?

It’s name is the F-22 Flying test bed. Even though the F-22 is a Lockheed Martin aircraft, Boeing was the Lead integrator for the avionics. The nose and the top mounted wing – was where F-22 radar and ESM antenna’s were mounted. There was a mock-up of the F-22 cockpit in the middle of this aircraft. I don’t know if that cockpit could actually fly the whole test bed (the original cockpit would have still been manned by separate pilots who could override the controls for safety), or if it was just for the radar & fire control.

• What is the original airframe?

This is the original 757 prototype airframe. Boeing repurposed it to serve as the test bed.

• Where is this plane based?

Boeing Field – Seattle WA. Kind of surprised by this. There are several photographers in the Seattle (BFI) area – and I haven’t seen any of them post a picture of this plane yet (it has been it psuedo mothballs for the last 3 years – they brought it back to test a major revision of the F-22 avionics suite).

For more info – and the inspiration for this challenge – take a look at the ‘Ares’ blog on Aviation Week’s web-site (just take anything you see posted by Bill Sweetman w/ a grain of salt. I think he has gone loopy in his middle age).