These Are The Best Images Yet Of “RAT 55,” The World’s Most Secretive 737

Updated Jun 8, 2021 1:13 AM EDT

After what seemed like an extended hiatus, the world’s most highly modified 737 has become quite active as of late, flying missions over the Mojave Desert relatively frequently, usually with a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber in tow. This is for good reason, as the shadowy NT-43A , better known by its callsign and nickname “RAT 55,” is one of America’s most prized test and evaluation assets for use in developing and validating low observable (stealth) technologies. The bizarre jet is extremely shy. In fact, nobody really knows where it lives, although it is known to bounce around from notorious locales like Area 51 and Tonopah Test Range Airport . Pretty much all images of it are from far away or are grainy and low-quality in nature. Now that is no longer the case.

The photos seen in this post, which give us a near-perfect look at this almost grotesque 737 adaptation, were taken during an escorted media visit to Edwards Air Force Base in California in 2014 by the Netherlands-based pro aviation photo journalism group Phodocu .

The images show RAT 55, its nickname and callsign likely a play on its supposed name—Radar Airborne Testbed—and its tail number, in stunning details. The modifications to this aircraft are quite incredible, with its massive forward and aft radomes, along with the outsized structures to accommodate them, turning what was basically a 737-200 aircraft into a bizarre monstrosity, although a highly valuable one.

A RAT 55 patch pulls no punches as to the aircraft’s less than beautiful nauture and its mission., Ebay.com

Also clearly seen are the infrared turrets above each radar, as well as the pitot air data sensors that look like bug antennas above the aircraft’s cockpit. A number of non-standard antennas are present, as well as a discolored dorsal area on the forward end of the fuselage. We are aware that a top-mounted enclosure can be added to this area of the aircraft that can accommodate another sensor or even potentially a satellite communications system when it’s installed.

Finally, the AFMC tailband is clearly visible, denoting that Air Force Materiel Command is who officially owns the almost ghost-like airframe.

RAT 55 is set to be tasked more than ever before as the B-21 Raider bomber program emerges into the light and as other highly classified very low-observable aircraft projects move from development and into testing . There are many less advanced stealthy aircraft programs that will soon be in flight test that are likely to demand its precise ‘flying radar-cross section measurement facility’ services as well. This is why it seems as if a replacement for this aircraft, which is now nearly 50 years old, or a major augmentation to the existing capacity it provides, appears to be on the way via a far younger 737 that is undergoing modifications now. This aircraft appears to have emanated from the shadowy Denmar company that also brought RAT 55 to life, as well.

You can read all about RAT 55 and its possible successor in this past piece of ours .

Regardless, it is truly a treat to see such a unique example of aerospace engineering in such detail for the first, and hopefully not the last, time.

Author’s note: These images are copyrighted by Phodocu . If you would like to use them, or any of their other wonderful aviation images, be sure to reach out to them directly here . Also make sure to follow Phodocu’s Instagram and Facebook .

Contact the author: Tyler@thedrive.com

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更新于美国东部时间2021年6月8日凌晨1:13

在经历了漫长的沉寂之后，世界上改装程度最高的737飞机最近变得异常活跃，频繁地飞越莫哈韦沙漠执行任务，通常还拖着一架B-2“幽灵”隐形轰炸机。这并非偶然，这架神秘的NT-43A，更为人熟知的呼号和绰号是“RAT 55”，是美国最重要的测试和评估资产之一，用于开发和验证低可探测性（隐形）技术。这架奇特的喷气式飞机极其低调。事实上，没人真正知道它的驻地，尽管它经常出没于臭名昭著的51区和托诺帕试验场机场等地。几乎所有关于它的照片都是远景拍摄，或者画质模糊不清。但现在情况已经不同了。

本文中的照片让我们得以近乎完美地看到这架近乎怪诞的 737 改装机，这些照片是总部位于荷兰的专业航空摄影新闻组织 Phodocu 在 2014 年陪同媒体参观加利福尼亚州爱德华兹空军基地时拍摄的。

这些图片以惊人的细节展示了RAT 55，它的昵称和呼号​​很可能是对其假想名称——“雷达机载试验平台”（Radar Airborne Testbed）——的戏仿，以及它的尾号。这架飞机的改装令人难以置信，巨大的前后雷达罩以及与之配套的超大型结构，将一架原本的737-200飞机变成了一个奇形怪状的庞然大物，尽管它价值连城。

RAT 55 的徽章毫不掩饰地展现了这架飞机并不美观的外形及其任务。（来自 eBay.com）

图中清晰可见每部雷达上方的红外转塔，以及位于驾驶舱上方、形似昆虫天线的皮托管空速传感器。此外，机身前部背部区域颜色异常，并可见一些非标准天线。我们了解到，该区域顶部可以加装一个外壳，用于安装其他传感器，甚至可能用于安装卫星通信系统。

最后，AFMC 的尾带清晰可见，表明空军装备司令部才是这架几乎如同幽灵般的飞机的正式所有者。

随着B-21“突袭者”轰炸机项目逐渐明朗，以及其他高度机密的超低可探测性飞机项目从研发阶段进入测试阶段，RAT 55的任务量将比以往任何时候都更加繁重。此外，还有许多技术水平较低的隐形飞机项目即将进行飞行测试，这些项目也可能需要RAT 55提供的精确“飞行雷达截面测量设施”服务。因此，RAT 55服役近50年后，似乎正在研发一款替代机型，或者对其现有能力进行大幅提升。而这款机型很可能出自神秘的丹麦公司Denmar之手，该公司也正是RAT 55的研发者。

您可以阅读我们之前的文章，了解有关 RAT 55 及其可能的继任者的所有信息。

无论如何，能够第一次如此详细地看到如此独特的航空航天工程实例，真是一件令人欣喜的事情，希望这不会是最后一次。

作者注：这些图片版权归 Phodocu 所有。如果您想使用这些图片或他们其他精彩的航空图片，请务必直接在此处联系他们。也请关注 Phodocu 的 Instagram 和 Facebook 账号。

联系作者：Tyler@thedrive.com

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