mystery "drone" over L.A. yesterday... what is it?

"Vee Ate Injun" (VeeAteInjun) 10/07/2013 at 11:54 • Filed to: None

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so i snapped this crappy (sorry) picture in Woodland Hills yesterday morning around 11 am (at the end of Supercar Sunday, 'natch!) and was quite surprised to see this flying wing reminiscent of the B2 Stealth Bomber. But this thing seemed much smaller, was flying slowish and didn't have the signature sound (i've experienced a B2 flying over me). Also, there was a white prop-driven chase plane that was following it.

i zoomed in on the picture and the logo on the wing of the chase plane could be the NASA logo, though it could also be USAF but I doubt they would be testing a drone over LA in broad daylight. also, the all-white chase plane is consistent with the all-white chase planes NASA typically uses. the "drone" also seems to have the same emblem on the wing.

and, it's a little hard to tell but if you zoom in to the "drone" you can see two metallic things at the rear which could be engines, potentially rear-facing propellers.

so at this time my gut says NASA drone, which is totally plausible considering that Edwards, Vandenberg, and JPL are all in the area.

anyone know?

William Byrd > Vee Ate Injun 10/07/2013 at 11:56

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Based on the cirlce on the wing.....RUN!!!!!

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Vee Ate Injun 10/07/2013 at 11:58

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Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Vee Ate Injun 10/07/2013 at 11:59

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Flying Wing Perhaps?

PRBot II > Vee Ate Injun 10/07/2013 at 12:01

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There's at least one or more defense contractors that test and develop UAV's out of Palmdale.

Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole > Vee Ate Injun 10/07/2013 at 12:01

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_…

Are you near Chino?
I'm 99% sure it's Planes of Fame's N9MB. They're flying it at Apple Valley this coming weekend. Might have been a shakedown run with their Zero flying chase.

MountainCommand > Vee Ate Injun 10/07/2013 at 12:03

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well, also consider whoever is flying the drone (if it is government related), has been deemed essential for it to still be operational. I assumed all of NASA's current ops were on hold. Especially if its just testing. Otherwise, this government shutdown really is just baloney haha.

As much as i want to say nasa as well, id think its more military. Correct me if im wrong, but doesnt nasa use other colors besides black on their testing vehicles. Black usually seems to have more connection to secretive military things.

but i could also be completely wrong too haha.

AbigGRNboot > Vee Ate Injun 10/07/2013 at 12:03

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"Dude, I think that's a Lambo."

/obligatory

Vee Ate Injun > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole 10/07/2013 at 12:04

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near Chino? why? (oh, i see - just read the Wikipedia link)

i took the picture in Woodland Hills, which is in the San Fernando valley near Encino, Van Nuys, etc.

and this "flying wing" you posted does share a lot of similarities, both in shape and size.

Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole > Vee Ate Injun 10/07/2013 at 12:07

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Planes of Fame is based in Chino, and as I edited above, I'm almost positive that's what you saw.

Vee Ate Injun > AbigGRNboot 10/07/2013 at 12:07

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yes, of course. thank you for your service.

corvairsomeday2 > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole 10/07/2013 at 12:08

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I'm betting the same thing. Could be a photo shoot for the N-9M, and the chase is the photography plane.

Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole > Vee Ate Injun 10/07/2013 at 12:11

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Blue bottom, Star & Bar on right wing and the engine pods. It's gotta be the N9MB

Vee Ate Injun > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole 10/07/2013 at 12:12

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ah, that seems pretty likely given all the circumstances. thanks for the heads up.

now i have to get to work... i'm late!

Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole > Vee Ate Injun 10/07/2013 at 12:13

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Looks like it was out in Paso Robles this weekend.

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N9…

EL_ULY > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 10/07/2013 at 12:15

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this guy is still at it.

William Byrd > William Byrd 10/07/2013 at 12:18

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Oh...the other plane. Nevermind.

Jayhawk Jake > Vee Ate Injun 10/07/2013 at 12:24

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It's the N9M, with what looks to be a 172 (maybe? it's really hard to tell what that is) following it. They were probably taking pictures of the N-9

Also, saw on the Planes of Fame facebook page

B-25, P-38, Wing, Corsair, T-28 on the ramp and ready for take off. Hope to launch in the next 15 minutes. Let us know if you see us fly over - headed to Wings Over Paso Airshow!

So it flew from Chino to Paso to go to an airshow.

McMike > William Byrd 10/07/2013 at 12:26

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Jap Zeros.... I KNEW IT!!!!

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > McMike 10/07/2013 at 12:32

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WAS IT OVER WHEN THE GERMANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOR???

Vee Ate Injun > Jayhawk Jake 10/08/2013 at 00:53

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yeah, all signs point to this. i'm glad i got to see it flying in the wild.

the cool thing is now i know of a cool aviation museum to visit on my hiatus from work next week.

Vee Ate Injun > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole 10/08/2013 at 00:55

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yeah, looks to be based on all the facts presented here.

i'll have to visit the N9MB at the museum soon...