Project TACIT BLUE

  Origins and Context

Project TACIT BLUE began in 1978 as a classified DARPA and Air Force initiative to develop stealth reconnaissance aircraft.¹ The program emerged from the need to conduct surveillance missions in heavily defended airspace.²

  Program Structure

Northrop led development, producing one aircraft and a backup airframe shell under a $165 million contract.³ The program introduced revolutionary curved stealth shaping, contrasting with the F-117's faceted approach.⁴

  Legacy and Impact

TACIT BLUE completed 135 test flights between 1982 and 1985, proving curved stealth surfaces could effectively reduce radar signatures.⁵ The program advanced multiple technologies used in the B-2 Spirit and other stealth aircraft.⁶

  References

1. afrl.af.mil ↩

2. darpa.mil ↩

3. nationalmuseum.af.mil ↩

4. nasa.gov ↩

5. gao.gov ↩

6. dsb.cto.mil ↩