Artist's impression of the 'Aurora' spyplane. This is believed by many to be a top-secret US design to replace the successful SR-71 'Blackbird'. Very

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Artist's impression of the 'Aurora' spyplane. This is believed by many to be a top-secret US design to replace the successful SR-71 'Blackbird'. Very little is known about this supposed project, although there have been reports of the vehicle being seen near Edwards Air Force Base in California. It is suggested that Aurora has a top speed of Mach 9 (which seems a little optimistic), and is powered by liquid hydrogen fuelled 'scramjets' - the type of engine proposed for spaceplane projects. Some have even suggested that Aurora was used during the 1991 Gulf War.

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Size: 3992px × 2737px
Photo credit: © ERIK VIKTOR/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: aircraft, aurora, aviation, reconnaissance, spyplane, technology, transport, transportation