FighterControl

Strange nighttime howling jet aircraft
A couple of weeks back a most unconventional sounding jet aircraft flew low over Westbury in Wiltshire on a track which was heading toward the Lakenheath USAF base area. It flew over at 1500 to 2000 feet around 1.30 am three times that week. What was so weird was the jet noise. It sounded like a very loud banshee howl which continued until it faded in the distance. On one day (Tuesday) it flew directly overhead (waking me again) and this time as it passed my overhead the howl changed to a muted V1 pulse-jet sound. It had military nav lights (i.e. the white tail light turned on and off but did not strobe). I would say it was flying at maybe 200kts. I would say if it was on a long-haul flight maintaining a small circle course it would have come from southern USA to pass overhead on that track.

It was 01:15 on night of 4th/5th and 01:38 on night of 6th/7th August. Also flew past a few days before the 4th and I got a look at it through binoculars. It was not descending but in level flight at about 1500 - 2000 feet. It does sound big, mrmalay, but it looked smaller than a B2 to me. And it seemed to be no higher than 1500 feet. (Were it higher on that day it would have flown through the Salisbury Plain danger area which goes up beyond the height any aircraft can fly at that point.) The shape I saw the first day (when it flew past about 10pm) was blocky at the front. A bit like an F117 really and not sleek. But I could not really see it clearly except for the military on-off style bright nav lights (and no strobes).

mrwrgj wrote:Dan D'air, you might be just about right. Boscombe Down is more or less in the same direction as Lakenheath. Not heard Taranis flying so the funny sound could be something to mask its actual engine noise. Also there should be a chase plane with it while flying in UK airspace.

mrwrgj wrote:Dan D'air, you might be just about right. Boscombe Down is more or less in the same direction as Lakenheath. Not heard Taranis flying so the funny sound could be something to mask its actual engine noise. Also there should be a chase plane with it while flying in UK airspace.

Agent K wrote:I don't think any UAV'S have clearance to fly in UK airspace however?, you'll note these tests are completed in the uncluttered and vast Australian airspace.

celerad wrote:I have seen the A400 MANY TIMES doesnt howl though .i had a B2 fly over trowbridge in june that was unusual sound but not a howl .only aircraft that howls is the VULCAN at full chat but not flying anymore RIP .So not sure its a funny one .