Is there really an Aurora Black spy plane?
Unknown; the Aurora Black prototype which appears in the novel is an extrapolation of existing and theoretical technologies applied to the hypersonic surveillance/strike aircraft known as “Aurora.” The United States Air Force denies the existence of the Aurora aircraft, as well as that of the Groom Dry Lake test facility where the ‘nonexistent’ plane ‘isn’t being tested.’ The United States Air Force also denied the existence of the F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighter, the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, the SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft, the U-2 Dragon spyplane, etc. ad infinitum. Older readers will recall that the United States Air Force and the President himself denied the existence of Air Force Colonel Francis Gary Powers and the U-2 he was shot down in until he and pieces of the plane he wasn’t flying were paraded before news cameras in Moscow. The truth may be out there, but you won’t hear it from the Air Force.
