THE US AIR FORCE could be developing two new, large, stealthy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in near-total secrecy. Bill Sweetman, one of the world's leading aviation journalists, has uncovered evidence of the new drones dating back at least four years. Writing in the trade journal Aviation Week, Sweetman concludes that Northrop Grurnman has been working on a large, armed UAV since 2008. 'It is, by now, probably being test-flown at Groom Lake', Sweetman claims. The purported location, at least, makes total sense. The US Air Force's secret facility at Groom Lake, Nevada is part of the so-called 'Area 51' complex and was previously the test site for the U-2 and SR-71 strategic reconnaissance aircraft and the F-117 Nighthawk 'stealth fighter'.
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