Posted on 12/05/2009 2:13:35 AM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
The U.S. Air Force has confirmed to Aviation Week the existence of the so-called "Beast of Kandahar" UAV, a stealth-like remotely piloted jet seen flying out of Afghanistan in late 2007.
The RQ-170 Sentinel, believed to be a tailless flying wing design with sensor pods faired into the upper surface of each wing, was developed by Lockheed Martin's Advanced Development Programs (ADP), better known as Skunk Works. An Air Force official revealed Dec. 4 that the service is "developing a stealthy unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to provide reconnaissance and surveillance support to forward deployed combat forces."
The UAV had been discussed on the Ares technology blog, as well as elsewhere online, but the USAF statement to Aviation Week was the first to detail the aircraft.
"The fielding of the RQ-170 aligns with Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates' request for increased intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) support to the combatant commanders and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz's vision for an increased USAF reliance on unmanned aircraft," says the emailed statement.
The RQ-170 is flown by the 30th Reconnaissance Squadron at Tonopah Test Range, Nev. - home of the F-117 stealth fighter when the program's existence was secret - and falls under Air Combat Command's 432d Wing at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. At Kandahar, the Sentinel was seen operating out of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems' hangar.
(Excerpt) Read more at aviationweek.com ...
Do a search on the Kandahar stealth UAV.....much better picture on the ground
More unmanned flying devices.
You need feet on the ground ... when the heck is the “Skunk Works” going to have their proto type T600 units ready to send into the mountain passes?
Another proprietary UAS system procured by the Air Force.
Lots of profit in Software and New Hardware.. Very little profit in in the 10s of thousands of Tracked Mech Armor Vehicles providing Infantrymen with sufficent organic assets to move shoot and communicate and smother the enemy.. run him down.. cut him off..kill him.
Last thing the Pretty Boy Generals want is our people crushing the enemy.. denying him the ability to maneuver or effectively attack American Troops..
Our Pretty Boy, PC Generals Secret Mantra...
“Burn Money, Burn Lives..Make Widows from Wives.
W
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