RQ-170: The Air Force’s secret ‘Beast of Kandahar’

[rangerrebew]

RQ-170: The Air Force’s secret ‘Beast of Kandahar’

Alex Hollings | August 12, 2020

The United States Air Force has been flying the RQ-170 Sentinel over combat zones since 2005, but details about this secretive aircraft are still rather sparse. Developed by the legendary Skunk Works out of Lockheed Martin, the RQ-170 is believed to be a high-altitude and stealthy reconnaissance platform, and likely even played a role in the 2011 operation that killed infamous terror leader Osama Bin Laden.

Despite the high profile of some of its missions, this drone itself has maintained a very low profile over the years — and it would be hard to argue that its secrecy isn’t by design. Like the F-117 Nighthawk, another Skunk Works design that first propelled the world into the era of stealth, the RQ-170’s most potent weapon may just be the shadow of uncertainty that surrounds it.

While likely not as stealthy as the larger B-2 Spirit it resembles, the RQ-170 does have stealth characteristics, and is likely covered in radar-absorbent coating, giving it the ability to operate in contested airspace while conducting its secret missions.

https://www.sandboxx.us/blog/rq-170-the-air-forces-secret-beast-of-kandahar/

[rustynail]

Named after a city in a country where the US is being beaten and humiliated?

[Smokin Joe]

Named after a city in a country where the US is being beaten and humiliated?

The drone is OK, it's the policy decisions of the Afghan Conflict which have brought any humiliation. While our Military, given free rein, has consistently won battles, the politicians seem to be equally capable at losing wars, and have done so since VIetnam (because Korea is still operating under a cease fire, not an armistice).