The mysteries of Area 51 continue to inspire not only outlandish conspiracies but also wonder, international espionage, and everything in between. Fascination with the site has inspired television shows, movies, and video games. But what if things didn't end there? What if there was also an Area 52? Some experts want to establish one soon, and for good reason. Whatever is going on in Area 51, it’s clear that these advancements have helped the United States Air Force (USAF) and the U.S. military as a whole. However, the proposed idea for Area 52 would aim to help a different military branch keep its secrets and improve its capabilities: America's Navy. Related read: 4 Military UFO Sightings That Made Us Question Everything

Where is Area 52?

As of this writing, the location of Area 52 doesn’t exist. There are several Area 52 Las Vegas attractions, as well as those found throughout the country. You can also find Area 52 Delta 8 gummies if that’s your thing. But the idea of an Area 52 locale in which the U.S. Navy can test and develop autonomous, unmanned watercraft, comes from Capt. Jerry Hendrix, a retired member of the branch. His proposal? A secret testing facility on Lake Michigan for military advancement. Lake Michigan is one of the largest lakes in the country with at least 22,300 square miles encompassed by the body of water. Considering the Great Lake is entirely in the U.S. as well, it provides a large, diverse option for testing military watercraft while keeping that technology away from the eyes of America's enemies.

Area 52 Could Help Prevent Espionage

Navy Veteran Capt. Jerry Hendrix has been outspoken about the U.S. Navy’s exposure to enemy forces recovering technology from its testing of unmanned watercraft. This includes vulnerabilities to countries such as Russia and China. When the U.S. tests equipment in international waters, countries like Iran and others can steal the ships, bring them back, dismantle them, and learn about the technology that makes them work. This not only allows our rivals to develop countermeasures to our fleets, it also allows them to build their own advanced fleets in the process. These issues don’t exist in Lake Michigan. The entire Great Lake is within the border of the continental U.S., and the Navy doesn't have to worry about ships being captured or observed nearly at the same regularity that they are today. As of this writing, the Navy's 4th Fleet is focusing its activity on the Caribbean, leading the Navy's unmanned vessel development efforts. Chosen to expand the work of Task Force 59 in the Middle East, the 4th Fleet's operations enhance maritime domain awareness capabilities. These unmanned platforms support the defense of our homeland and the protection of the approaches alongside SOUTHCOM, 4th Fleet Commanders, and partners in the Joint Interagency Task Force South. Suggested read: Declining Lake Mead Water Level Unearths WWII-Era Secret

The Caribbean is No Longer an Option

It may still make for the perfect place to stay on vacation, but putting Area 52 in the Caribbean, or any sort of experimental watercraft, isn’t a good idea. Particularly, with the recent developments that have opened the door for more spying capabilities from America’s top rivals. Both China and Russia either have bases in Cuba or are building bases in Cuba. They also have other joint ventures coming up in Brazil and Venezuela. Globalization for America’s rivals could provide a great opportunity to seize more information and technology during American equipment testing initiatives. However, as important as keeping our secrets under wraps may be, there is more to the idea of Lake Michigan than the key ability to keep away from prying eyes and sticky fingers. Housing Area 52 within the Great Lake would help in multiple ways and advance our technology in a unique way.

Area 52 in Lake Michigan Makes Sense for More Than Just Secrecy

As mentioned by Hendrix, secrecy would be a great benefit of the project, but there’s more to it than that. Beyond launching unmanned watercraft, Area 52 would provide a place of community for Sailors. In addition to creating a community, the location is perfect for testing watercraft as Lake Michigan has a diverse waterscape and climate. This means more unique scenarios are present when it comes to testing and training for operations. Though less-than-confirmed, there are several military sites that have been dubbed Area 52, but none so far that match the grandeur and fascination of Area 51. The name might need some work, but very valid points are being made as the U.S. looks to ramp up its naval capabilities while keeping valuable intel away from rivals and enemies. Read next: Inside Diego Garcia: The Most Mysterious U.S. Naval Base