Northrop Tacit Blue

Northrop · United States · first flew 1982 · transport aircraft

The Northrop Tacit Blue was a classified US Air Force stealth technology demonstrator that flew secretly between 1982 and 1985, exploring the low-observable characteristics of curved surfaces. Nicknamed 'the Whale' for its rounded body shape, it validated key technologies later used in the B-2 Spirit.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, straight
E — Engines	2 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	Deeply curved whale-shaped fuselage for stealth
T — Tail	No tailplane

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Spot it by:

Secret low-observable technology demonstrator — the 'Whale'
Deeply curved whale-shaped fuselage for stealth
No conventional tail; curved surfaces throughout

Immediately recognisable by its smoothly curved whale-like fuselage, high-mounted straight wing, complete absence of a conventional tail, and deeply inset engine inlets — unlike any other aircraft.

Specifications

The Northrop Tacit Blue has a length of 17 m (56 ft).
It has a wingspan of 14.68 m (48 ft).
Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Developed under a black programme, Tacit Blue demonstrated that a surveillance aircraft with a low radar cross-section could operate close to the forward edge of the battle area. The single prototype flew 135 test flights before being retired and declassified in 1996. It is now on display at the National Museum of the US Air Force.

Variants

Single prototype only.

Where you'll see it

US Air Force black programme — never entered operational service but validated B-2 stealth concepts.

Related aircraft

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