RQ170

The RQ-170 Sentinel is an American stealth unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by Lockheed Martin and operated by the United States Air Force. Its existence was initially classified, with its first public appearance occurring in a 2009 photograph of it operating at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan. The RQ-170 is believed to be designed for reconnaissance and surveillance missions, employing stealth technology to operate undetected.

Details about the RQ-170's specific capabilities, operational deployments, and exact design are largely classified. However, it is widely speculated to be a medium-altitude, long-endurance platform. Its distinctive flying wing design is characteristic of many stealth aircraft, minimizing radar cross-section. The "RQ" designation indicates a reconnaissance mission.

The RQ-170 has been observed operating in various theaters of operation, most notably in Afghanistan. A significant event in its public history was the alleged capture of an RQ-170 by Iran in December 2011, which Iran claimed to have brought down through electronic countermeasures. The United States has not officially confirmed the details of this incident. The RQ-170 represents a significant advancement in unmanned aerial vehicle technology, highlighting the growing importance of stealth and autonomous systems in modern military operations.