Next Aircraft in Timeline
P-8A Poseidon (First Flight) →
Other
RQ-170 Sentinel (Public Acknowledgement)
Lockheed Martin · USA
After being photographed in Afghanistan (earning the nickname "The Beast of Kandahar"), the USAF confirmed the existence of the RQ-170 in late 2009. This tailless flying wing is designed for high-stakes surveillance in "denied" airspace where the Predator and Reaper cannot survive.
Technical Specifications
| First Flight | 2009 |
|---|---|
| Max Speed | Unclassified (est. 800-900 km/h) |
| Range | Unclassified |
| Ceiling | 15,240 m |
| Engines | 1x Garrett TFE731 or General Electric TF34 turbofan |
Armament & Payload
None.