RATT55 and F-117 Nighthawks Spotted at Groom Lake: Rare Flights from Area 51
Tikaboo Peak, the closest vantage point overlooking the test facilities at Groom Lake, famously known worldwide as Area 51, has witnessed a rare sighting. Photographer Michał Rokita recorded take-offs and landings of the NT-43A jet RATT55, based on the Boeing 737-200 airframe.
Videos uploaded to his YouTube channel show RATT55 departing Groom Lake in the dark during the early hours of 13 August and returning in daylight a few hours later. Before its final landing, the aircraft performed multiple touch-and-go manoeuvres and was observed taxiing back to Hangar 18 upon return. This not only confirmed the aircraft’s movements but also identified the specific hangar it operated from.
RATT55 is known for its callsign symbolising the “Radar Airborne Testbed” mission. During the flight, it also used the alternative callsign SABRE98. Two newly fitted radomes on the aircraft’s fuselage stand out, suggesting the installation of new radar systems. Designed for advanced radar testing, RATT55 plays a key role in evaluating the radar signatures of stealth aircraft, such as the B-2 Spirit, and is critical in assessing stealth performance.
While recording, Rokita also documented active flights of the F-117A Nighthawk. Officially retired in 2008, these aircraft continue to operate over Nevada skies for training and test missions. The F-117s take off from Tonopah Test Range northwest of Groom Lake, supporting the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) programme.
Interviews and observations also provided fresh insights into Hangar 18, an iconic feature of the base. With its enormous doors and capacity to house any known aircraft, Hangar 18 stands out as a central hub for Area 51’s secretive aircraft operations. It is believed to have served multiple purposes over time and may even have acted as a “museum” for classified aircraft projects.
Rokita’s footage, published through Dreamland Resort, offers a rare glimpse into covert flight operations at Area 51. The active role of RATT55 and the F-117s heightens interest in classified U.S. Air Force programmes and provides enthusiasts with exclusive visual material.
