Once in a while, something really interesting pops up on Google Earth, and we're obliged today to reader Christopher Wagner for pointing us the direction of this spendid find in the skies above Utah:

Impressive stuff indeed. Here's a closer look:

Well, we at first thought this particular beast might be a Tomahawk cruise missile, but although it pretty well fits the profile, the wings look a bit short. No doubt the Google Earth aficionados among you will be able to sniff out the truth* behind this mysterious flying object. ®

Bootnote

*Yes, yes, the truth is out there somewhere. No more emails, please - have a look at comments to this story for enlightenment.

Related stories

• Google denies Oz-blurring black op (15 August 2007)

  https://www.theregister.com/2007/08/15/google_apec_conspiracy/

• US spy chief wants 'some control' over satellite imagery (9 May 2007)

  https://www.theregister.com/2007/05/09/us_spychief_wants_sat_blindfold_powers/

• US missile defences in successful Pacific test (3 May 2007)

  https://www.theregister.com/2007/05/03/us_missile_defence_creeping_forward/

• Spanish flag flies over Gibraltar (18 April 2007)

  https://www.theregister.com/2007/04/18/gibraltar_outrage/

• India tests intermediate-range missile (12 April 2007)

  https://www.theregister.com/2007/04/12/indian_agni_iii_test/

• US deploys cloaked airliner (11 April 2007)

  https://www.theregister.com/2007/04/11/stealth_airliner/

• Aussie bike bandits may be packing rocket launchers (5 April 2007)

  https://www.theregister.com/2007/04/05/mad_max_rocket_launcher_madness/

• US lifts lid on world's largest toilet (26 March 2007)

  https://www.theregister.com/2007/03/26/biggest_convenience/

• Google Earth raises hell with Mount Hitler name slip (9 March 2007)

  https://www.theregister.com/2007/03/09/mount_hitler_angries_mayor/

• Google erases British bases in Iraq (17 January 2007)

  https://www.theregister.com/2007/01/17/google_erases_brit_bases/

• China develops flying aircraft carrier (16 November 2006)

  https://www.theregister.com/2006/11/16/flying_aircraft_carrier/

• In search of the Caspian Sea Monster (22 September 2006)

  https://www.theregister.com/2006/09/22/caspian_sea_monster/

• Chinese black helicopters circle Google Earth (19 July 2006)

  https://www.theregister.com/2006/07/19/huangyangtan_mystery/

• Flying car captured on Google Earth (23 January 2006)

  https://www.theregister.com/2006/01/23/flying_car/

• Google Earth menaced by WW2 bomber (9 January 2006)

  https://www.theregister.com/2006/01/09/google_lancaster/

• Google Earth: the black helicopters have landed (14 October 2005)

  https://www.theregister.com/2005/10/14/google_earth_competition_results/