Did a 'Dorito-Shaped' Aircraft Fly Near Area 51 During B-2 Spirit Activity?

A highly intriguing thermal image has surfaced. It shows a mysterious triangular aircraft near Area 51.

Anders Otteson runs the popular Uncanny Expeditions YouTube channel. He captured the image on January 14, 2026. Otteson was monitoring nighttime flight activity. This happened along Groom Lake Road in Nevada. The aircraft has a sharply triangular shape. Observers often call this the Area 51 Dorito-shaped aircraft.

Context of the Sighting

The sighting occurred during confirmed B-2 Spirit flight activity. The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber was operating nearby. Its callsign was REARM71. The B-2 is a well-known, large flying wing aircraft. This allowed for a direct visual comparison. Otteson noted the triangular craft's shape was distinct. Specifically, the trailing edge appeared flat. This differs from the B-2's distinct serrated trailing edge.

Radio traffic was also recorded that night. The communication included dense, unusual codewords. This suggests a complex, non-routine test profile. The unknown aircraft, however, was not openly involved in the radio exchanges.

Resemblance to Unexplained Platforms

What makes this Uncanny Expeditions sighting noteworthy is its resemblance. The thermal image aligns closely with an unexplained Wichita platform. This triangular aircraft was photographed in 2014 over Wichita, Kansas. That platform's proportions did not match any known operational type. The 2014 sighting remains officially unidentified.

• The new sighting confirms a similar shape is still active.
• It suggests a single, highly secret platform has been flying for over a decade.

Classified Black Programs

Area 51 (Groom Lake) is known for advanced aerospace testing. It is a remote detachment of Edwards Air Force Base. The base is used for developing and testing classified black programs. The stealth bomber comparison highlights the mystery. The unknown craft is clearly distinct from the B-2 Spirit bomber.

Experts speculate the aircraft could be a prototype. Candidates include the RQ-180 stealth drone or a new bomber platform. The persistence of these triangular aircraft sightings fuels speculation. It shows that US Air Force black projects continue to push boundaries. The Groom Lake Road thermal image provides rare insight. It confirms that highly secretive flight operations continue at the Nevada Test and Training Range.

This event matters to aviation stakeholders. It signals the ongoing development of next-generation, low-observable technology. The continued secrecy around this platform suggests significant military advantage is being sought. The lack of official comment maintains the mystery. It also confirms the existence of highly advanced, long-term classified black programs.

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