Overview
This entry covers a gallery image that appears to show a triangular stealth aircraft model — a model or mock-up of an aircraft with a triangular planform and features consistent with low-observable (stealth) design. The image's specific identity, programme attribution, date, and provenance cannot be verified from the image alone.
Triangular stealth aircraft configurations have been studied and developed by several manufacturers since the 1980s. The triangular planform (also called a delta planform or flying-wing planform) is common in stealth aircraft design because it offers low radar cross-section, good aerodynamic efficiency, and large internal volume for weapons and fuel.
Triangular Stealth Aircraft
Several operational and experimental stealth aircraft use triangular planforms:
- F-117 Nighthawk: A faceted stealth attack aircraft with a triangular planform (though not a pure flying wing). Operational 1983-2008.
- B-2 Spirit: A flying-wing stealth bomber with a triangular planform. Operational since 1997.
- RQ-170 Sentinel: A stealthy reconnaissance UAV with a triangular flying-wing planform. Operational (classified programme).
- X-47B: A stealthy UCAV demonstrator with a triangular flying-wing planform. Tested 2011-2015.
- nEUROn: A European stealth UCAV demonstrator with a triangular planform. Tested since 2012.
- B-21 Raider: A stealth bomber currently under development by Northrop Grumman, with a flying-wing planform similar to the B-2.
In addition to these known aircraft, numerous concept designs and classified programmes may have produced triangular stealth aircraft models. Without verified identification, the model in the image could represent any of these aircraft or a concept design.
Possible Identifications
Without verified provenance, the model in the image cannot be definitively identified. Several possibilities exist:
- B-2 Spirit model: The model may represent the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, which has a distinctive flying-wing planform.
- F-117 model: The model may represent the F-117 Nighthawk, which has a faceted triangular planform.
- RQ-170 model: The model may represent the RQ-170 Sentinel, a stealthy reconnaissance UAV.
- Concept model: The model may represent a concept design for a future stealth aircraft, such as a sixth-generation fighter or a next-generation bomber.
- Wind tunnel model: The model may be a wind tunnel test article used to measure the aerodynamic characteristics of a stealth aircraft design.
- Display model: The model may be a display or marketing model produced by an aircraft manufacturer.
Declassification and Provenance
The gallery image is from a legacy compilation whose CIA-P2 catalog number is a legacy identifier and does not establish CIA authorship, declassification, or provenance. The image's presence in the compilation does not constitute evidence that the depicted model represents a CIA programme, a classified aircraft, or a specific named design.
The image should be treated as an unverified photograph of a triangular stealth aircraft model of unknown identity and provenance.
References
- Sweetman, Bill. Stealth Aircraft. Motorbooks International.
- Goodall, James. America's Stealth Fighters and Bombers. Motorbooks International.
- Crickmore, Paul. F-117 Nighthawk. Osprey Publishing.
- Northrop Grumman. "B-2 Spirit" and "B-21 Raider." Company product information.