![]() ![]() The truth about Area 51 most likely lies somewhere between the myths and the facts. Regardless, Area 51 has long been the subject of documentaries, science magazines, local Las Vegas television news and network features on 60 Minutes and CNN. Let's nerd out over them together.Area 51 is part of American folklore, described as either a top-secret military site or a curious fascination with conspiracy and paranormal theories. Here, Popular Mechanics shares Barnes's photos with his permission. Today, Barnes is the president of Roadrunners Internationale, an association of Area 51 veterans, and the author of books on Area 51 and the secret work done there.īarnes recently posted declassified images ( originally discovered by The Aviationist) of radar cross section testing on a full-sized wooden mockup of the A-12 inside Area 51. ![]() Barnes worked on the A-12 project at the infamous Area 51 site in Nevada. However, the SR-71 featured a considerably longer range, which led to the A-12's retirement in 1968. The A-12 was shorter and lighter than the SR-71, but even faster, meant to outrun enemy air defenses and bring back crucial imagery intelligence data. The predecessor to the SR-71 Blackbird, Lockheed's Skunkworks built the A-12 for the same purpose: strategic, high-altitude reconnaissance. ![]() ![]() In fact, the A-12, which started flying in 1963, still holds the record (Mach 3.29 at 90,000 feet) for air-breathing, jet piloted aircraft. Not many aircraft have breached the Mach 3 barrier, but the short-lived, still-loved A-12 “Oxcart” is one such plane. ![]()
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