What 'Dorito-shaped' Aircraft Was Spotted Flying Over Area 51 at Night?

A mysterious 'Dorito-shaped' aircraft was captured on thermal imaging near the highly classified Area 51 military base. The object was spotted flying at night over the restricted airspace in southern Nevada. This sighting has fueled new speculation about advanced aerial vehicle testing.

The January 14th Sighting

The event occurred in the early morning hours of January 14, 2026. Aviation observer Anders Otteson recorded the event. Otteson was monitoring nighttime flight activity near Groom Lake Road. He used thermal imaging equipment to capture the object.

The thermal signature showed a sharply triangular aircraft. The nickname "Dorito" is commonly used for this geometry. The sighting happened while a B-2 Spirit bomber was operating nearby. The B-2 Spirit used the callsign REARM71 during its flight.

Otteson noted the mystery craft’s shape was different from the B-2. He described a flatter trailing edge. This suggested it was not the well-known stealth bomber. However, Otteson acknowledged the limited resolution. This makes definitive identification difficult. The area is part of the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR). The NTTR is administered by Edwards Air Force Base.

Context of Classified Airspace

Area 51, officially known as Homey Airport or Groom Lake, is a remote detachment. It is a highly classified US Air Force facility. The base is historically used for the development and testing of stealth aircraft development. Past projects include the U-2 spy plane and the F-117 stealth fighter.

Historical Resemblance and Speculation

This recent sighting is not an isolated incident. The triangular silhouette closely resembles another unexplained aerial phenomena. That craft was photographed over Wichita, Kansas, in 2014. Experts at the time found no evidence of digital manipulation in the 2014 image.

The triangular shape often sparks theories about black project programs. These programs are unacknowledged military aircraft development efforts. The rumored TR-3 Black Manta is a speculative example. It is often associated with large, black, triangular sightings. The classified southern Nevada airspace is a known hub for such testing.

• The sighting occurred on January 14, 2026, near Groom Lake.
• Thermal imagery captured a sharply triangular, non-B-2-like silhouette.
• Area 51 is a key site for US Air Force testing of experimental aircraft.
• The object resembles previous unacknowledged triangular aircraft sightings.

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