The X-31 possible answer to some sightings

[methshin]

In the above video we see a plane developed by NASA called the X-31. This jet uses thrust vectoring technology, and as you can see, can perform some very interesting maneuvers.

In the following video we see this plane on a test flight when a critical error occurs. The pilot ejects and the computers AI system takes over, and that's when it gets really crazy. Watching this plane trying to fly itself is beyond strange and it's unfortunate that the system was receiving bad data as I'd really like to see this thing flying on its own with a working computer system (the video explains everything).


By watching it stay in one place and turn on a dime, it is a reasonable answer to SOME sightings. Just thought I'd share this.

 

[Ron Collins]

The biggest problem I see with this theory is the noise a vectored thrust aircraft makes.

The X-31 was powered by a single General Electric F404-GE-400 capable of 16,000 lbs of thrust. By comparison, if you have ever seen the USAF Thunderbirds flight demonstration team at an air show you were probably surprised by a low level solo overflight going sub mach. They do this to demonstrate that the CAS (close air support) sneakyness of the F-16. You see the airplane rocket by and then you hear the thrust. That thrust you are hearing is sub mach and no afterburner. The F-16 has 1 Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-220 that is capable of 29,100 lbs of thrust. When it overflys you it is doing about 12,000 - 14,000 lbs of thrust.

Basically, if you can see the plane, you are going to hear the engine...eventually. But rest assured, you will hear a vectored thrust aircraft doing maneuvers. Think of the Harrier AV-8B hovering. That is about 23,000 lbs of thrust be vectored under the aircraft. Even the most naive true believer is going to hear that kind of thrust.

The second is the history of the X-31 itself. There were only 2 X-31's made. Combined they had only 580 flights.

 

[methshin]

oh definatly, though this footage was from 1995, who knows what the could have done to dampen or switch out the engine with something quieter. Also, if the person lives near an airport, it may be hard to distinguidh between the planes flying in and out of the airport and the ones that may be doing the mongoose.

All speculation of course, I just thought some people might like to see this plane, I remember the first time I saw it, blew my freakin' mind.

 

[Gareth]

I thought the idea had some merit. The way it can hover and stuff like that could fool some people into thinking it was more exotic (even with the loud engine).

 

[Astroboy]

The X-31 is an unlikely explanation for UFO sightings. It was built to demonstrate thrust vectoring and high maneuver capabilities not for noise suppression. Still, it cannot do high speed right angle turns and is unlikely to be tested or flown outside of air bases and testing facilities. In daylight is clearly visible as a conventional craft. At night it would not exhibit the disk shaped glow attributed to many UFOs. Any engine exhaust would be difficult to see at night unless it was flying very low. In doing these extreme maneuvers the last thing you want is to do it at low altitudes.

For noise suppression nothing beats a B2 Stealth Bomber. I witnessed one the other day making several passes at about 3,000 feet. I was shocked by the lack of noise as the plane came at me. Completely silent. Only when the plane was a mile away could I hear any engine noise. The mounting of the engine intakes and exhaust above the wings contribute a lot in deflecting the sound waves. In a war it would have already dropped its bombs and left the scene before you even knew it was there. In profile at extreme distance it is very hard to see.

 

[methshin]

The X-31 is an unlikely explanation for UFO sightings. It was built to demonstrate thrust vectoring and high maneuver capabilities not for noise suppression. Still, it cannot do high speed right angle turns and is unlikely to be tested or flown outside of air bases and testing facilities. In daylight is clearly visible as a conventional craft. At night it would not exhibit the disk shaped glow attributed to many UFOs. Any engine exhaust would be difficult to see at night unless it was flying very low. In doing these extreme maneuvers the last thing you want is to do it at low altitudes.

For noise suppression nothing beats a B2 Stealth Bomber. I witnessed one the other day making several passes at about 3,000 feet. I was shocked by the lack of noise as the plane came at me. Completely silent. Only when the plane was a mile away could I hear any engine noise. The mounting of the engine intakes and exhaust above the wings contribute a lot in deflecting the sound waves. In a war it would have already dropped its bombs and left the scene before you even knew it was there. In profile at extreme distance it is very hard to see.

like I said before, this plane was developed in the early 90s, I cannot say for sure that there have been advancements on it, but I think it would be a fair assumption. Even though the plane was discontinued in 95, that normally means that they finished with what they could use the plane for, which is testing the thrust vectoring.

Either way, when a plane can turn 180º that quickly and can perform moves like the mongoose, it certainly gives one a perspective on what exactly earth craft are capable of. Food for thought essentially.