This Viper was flying chase for a Raptor test flight on this day. Once it was destined to go to Pakistan, but an embargo stopped the delivery. It is now flying with the 416th FLTS at Edwards AFB.

Del 29 March 1985 Test Registration as N3301, Former Western Airlines, Delta Airlines as N3301,Registered to BCI Aircraft Leasing as N3301

I was at the Blackbird Air Park when suddenly this black project hybrid airship took off. It has been secretly built by Skunkworks as a heavy-load carrier. To gain more span to act like a wing, the P-791 is three pressurized lobes joined together. It uses four air cushions as landing gear, located on the outer lobes. It appears to have four propellers-two at the tail and two on the sides. A hybrid airship derives most of its lift by lighter-than-air gas, the rest by its shape and span.

Previously operated as USAF 67-14616

Ex USAAF 42-34560

This Raptor of the 43rd FS based at Tyndall is returning from a test flight.