Jim Goodall, a noted aviation historian and author, made a statement in 1999 regarding classified programs at Groom Lake, also known as Area 51, suggesting that certain 'things' would not be revealed until 2025. To understand the context and potential specifics of what he might have been referring to, we must examine the activities and projects known to be occurring at Groom Lake during that time period.
During the late 1990s, Groom Lake was primarily known for its role in the development and testing of advanced military aircraft. Notable projects included:
F-117 Nighthawk: This stealth attack aircraft was developed at Groom Lake and was operational by the late 1980s, but continued testing and development activities could have been ongoing into the late 1990s.
B-2 Spirit: Another stealth aircraft, the B-2, had its initial operational capability in 1997, suggesting ongoing development and testing at Groom Lake around the time of Goodall's statement.
Unacknowledged Special Access Programs (SAPs): There were rumors and reports of other highly classified projects, often referred to as 'black projects', which could include advanced propulsion systems, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and possibly even extraterrestrial technology research, though the latter remains highly speculative and unsupported by declassified documents.
Regarding Goodall's specific mention of 2025, there are no declassified documents or credible leaks directly linking this date to any specific project at Groom Lake. However, the U.S. government has a history of declassifying information after certain time periods, often related to national security considerations. It is conceivable that Goodall was referring to the potential declassification of information related to projects from the late 1990s that might be considered for release around 2025, following a typical 25-year declassification review cycle.
Credible testimonies from former employees or contractors at Groom Lake, such as those from Bob Lazar, suggest the existence of highly advanced technology projects, but these have not been substantiated by official records. Lazar's claims, for instance, have been met with skepticism due to lack of verifiable evidence and inconsistencies in his story.
In summary, while Jim Goodall's statement remains enigmatic, it likely pertains to the eventual declassification of information related to the advanced military projects at Groom Lake during the late 1990s. The exact nature of these 'things' remains speculative without further declassification or credible evidence.