Message posted by Smythers on October 24, 2019 at 16:19:56 PST:
2) Second reason to move out - They needed to scoot out of TTR as they are having a total revamp - the entire airfield is under massive restructuring - and a lot of the capabilities TTR would normally provide (intense secrecy) have gone out the window with all of the contractors milling about. 3) Why not go to Edwards AFB? Because of all of the infrastructure work for the B-21. It is busy out there! 4) Why Beale? What does the base have that others do not? Well, to find a possible answer for this, we need to look at how the latest U-2 updates - for these? See attached link, and then go back and listen to the audio Joerge caught from a recent test over Area 51. In this audio we hear target info passed back and forth, sensors looking out, other sensors feeding in information - An impressive capability for the B-21. Now, considering that there is a family of systems? Swap that U-2 out (from the linked piece) for a VVLO 180, and you have a multi domain shooter / spotter team that has been the holy grail for those in the anti ballistic missile field since the first wheeled ICBM appeared. So to sum it up? TTR needed all of its inhabitants out for the runway upgrades / hangers revamp, and the 180 gets moved to its permanent home of Beale AFB. Will we see it soon? No. I do not think we will. Why? Because it is the eyes and ears for the B-21 Raider. I deeply suspect that when the Raider is rolled out, Beale will be a lot less shy about its new Prom Queen.
1) Moved to Beale permanently after Northrops sheds at TTR were needed for a bigger heavier air vehicle. That said, it (the test vehicle) has been in and out of Beale for the last 5 years. Civilians in South Korea have reported a 'boomerang' UFO now since late 2014.
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