In June 2020, aviation enthusiasts and observers were intrigued by an unusual sight: an aircraft cloaked in reflective mirrors glinting under the desert sun as it soared over the Mojave Desert. Accompanied by two other aircraft, this mysterious plane was engaged in a series of enigmatic tests that sparked widespread curiosity about its purpose and design. What emerged from this spectacle was a compelling story about cutting-edge aerospace innovation led by Scaled Composites, an American company renowned for its experimental and boundary-pushing aircraft.

The Mysterious Mirror-Clad Aircraft

The aircraft in question is known as the Model 401, part of the so-called Sierra project by Scaled Composites. This small, jet-powered aircraft boasts a 38-foot wingspan and a sleek body constructed from advanced composite materials. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5D engine producing just over 3,000 pounds of thrust, the Model 401 can operate at speeds approaching Mach 0.6, soar up to 30,000 feet, and remain airborne for up to three hours.

What immediately set this aircraft apart was its unusual reflective mirror exterior. The mirrored coating not only made the plane visually striking but also believed to be a part of experimental efforts related to stealth, radar signature management, or even light-based camouflage. However, the exact purpose of these mirror tests remains guarded by secrecy, adding an aura of mystery that fuels speculation.

Roots in Aviation Legend: The Sons of Ares Connection

Despite its futuristic look, the Model 401 isn’t an entirely novel design from scratch. Tracing its lineage leads back to the 1980s and the innovative Scaled Composites ARES — Agile Responsive Effective Support — aircraft, a project developed to meet a U.S. Army request for a low-cost, low-altitude battlefield attack plane. This double-tailboomed jet was a radical departure from conventional designs, featuring a canard layout and housing a fearsome GAU-12 25-millimeter cannon.

While ARES never entered production, it served as a testbed for concepts that have informed many later aerospace projects. The Model 401 is understood to be a direct descendant of ARES, maintaining the same turbofan engine family lineage and adopting a similarly innovative ethos.

Later, Scaled Composites quietly initiated the Sierra project, culminating in the Model 401’s first flight in October 2017. The new jet’s design aims to demonstrate advanced low-cost manufacturing techniques and provide a versatile platform for research flights, possibly spanning military and industry applications.

Secretive Testing Programs

Following initial development, the Model 401 was shrouded in confidentiality. Yet clues emerged over time, such as sightings of two Model 401 aircraft and subtle hints like a team member’s shirt referencing “Sons of Ares,” linking back to the legendary aircraft family’s mythology-inspired naming.

In April 2019, the aircraft undertook a significant transcontinental flight from Mojave, California, to the Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland — a hub for premier aerospace testing. This marked the onset of extensive and mysterious test programs, with the jets participating in trials at elite military testing sites.

One of the final known public sightings was the mirrored Model 401 flying over the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake range in June 2020, accompanied by a pair of other jets performing undisclosed test routines.

Looking Ahead: A Glimpse at Aviation’s Future

Although many specifics about the Model 401 and the mysterious Sierra project remain classified, this aircraft represents a glimpse into the future of aerospace innovation. By exploring unconventional materials, incorporating stealth features rooted in novel reflective surfaces, and leveraging legacy designs with modern manufacturing, Scaled Composites is pushing the boundaries of what experimental aviation can achieve.

The reflective mirrors may symbolize more than just a striking exterior — they hint at new approaches to manage visibility, evade detection, or test novel aerodynamic properties. As military and civilian aerospace sectors continue pursuing low-cost, agile, and versatile aircraft, projects like the Model 401 chart a promising trajectory.

In the evolving narrative of aviation advancement, the mirrored stealth aircraft soaring over the Mojave is a bold statement: the future of flight might just gleam with reflections of innovation hidden in plain sight.