Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel

From Solicitation FA486119RA012:

Requirements
The RQ-170 fleet is not currently capable of generating the number of sorties to meet aircrew conversion and continuation training (CT) requirements. Pilots fly on average less than 9 sorties (20 live flight
hrs) and under 30 simulations (50 simulator hours) per year due to aircraft/cockpit availability, contract maintenance costs, and aircraft limitations/lifespan limitations. By providing a local commercial source able to supplement the current flying hours, RQ-170 pilots will meet the aircrew ratio requirements, pilot absorption rates, and all other requirements of AFI 11-412, Aircrew Management. In addition, sourcing
a contractor outside of the Las Vegas local area would drastically increase transportation costs for the government and would not provide a cost effective, efficient training option for the 432d Wing.
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The Flying Proficiency Program will provide training and sorties to provide an additional method of gaining, building, and maintaining basic airmanship skills. These airmanship skills can be attained by flying a Cirrus SR20/22 to include 2-4 seats, dual controls, 500 fpm climb rate at 10,000 feet density altitude, glass cockpit with Garmin G3000 or like capability, air conditioning, and parachute in a variety of air traffic and weather conditions. Based on each pilot’s aviation background, instruction will be individually tailored once the basic aircraft transition course is completed. For some pilots additional instruction may be provided during the transition course. As qualifications are gained pilots are expected to fly without instructors to continue to build their airmanship skills. This contract will be awarded and administered by the 99th Contracting Squadron with the 432 WG providing quality assurance oversight.
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A ‘Group 4 class’ UAV crashed somewhere at an undisclosed location 2019. It belonged to the AFMC, so it seems pretty likely it was a test vehicle or prototype.

Group 4 class means it’s about RQ-170 sized. It could very well have been a RQ-170, but I suspect they wouldn’t have been so mysterious if that was the case, unless it crashed in or near enemy territory.

I’ve suspected for quite some time that a follow up of the RQ-170 is flying around and this could very well have been one. In fact, I think it’s already operational and it might very well be the drone captured on video in Libanon a few weeks ago.

https://www.military.com/daily-news...ction-among-major-2019-air-force-mishaps.html
 
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The latest update of Apple Maps shows an RQ-170 at Signonella Naval Air Station. Seems they want to keep an eye on the Libyans and especially the Russians at Al-Khadim airbase and elsewhere in Libya.

It’s somewhat strange the RQ-170 is sitting at the main apron for everybody to see. It’s used by the Italian Air Force, it’s far from remote, and right next to the approach path into Catania Airport. It must be easy to check it’s operations for foreign adversaries; just make sure you pay a neighbor to give you a heads up every time one leaves and when it comes back.

There seems to be a more secluded and closed off part in the northeastern part of the airbase that seems to be where the Americans are based. Earlier satellite photo’s show that it’s also used for UAV’s as a Global Hawk can be seen.

Which makes the RQ-170 on the western apron all the more remarkable. It appears they don’t really care anymore about it being seen.
 
Q-nimbus said:
Which makes the RQ-170 on the western apron all the more remarkable. It appears they don’t really care anymore about it being seen.
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Yep see soemthing

cheers
 

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Where the RQ-170 goes after take off is an open question. The P-8s and RQ-4s certainly do Black Sea work among other things (you usually see one or the other squawking IFF on flightradar.com) but there are a lot of candidates in the region. Still a little surprised they don’t base out of Akrotiri.
 
Josh_TN said:
Where the RQ-170 goes after take off is an open question. The P-8s and RQ-4s certainly do Black Sea work among other things (you usually see one or the other squawking IFF on flightradar.com) but there are a lot of candidates in the region. Still a little surprised they don’t base out of Akrotiri.
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Well there’s a massive UAV antenna array at Akrotiri, and even now there are still some U2’s based there, so I wouldn’t be surprised if some spookier units are operating out of there as well.
 

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Does anyone know what are the neon red markings for?
 
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New video posted by Anders Otteson (Uncanny Expeditions) to YouTube on 12-Sept-2026 showing two Lockheed Martin RQ‑170 Sentinel (aka "Wraith") operating out of Creech AFB, Nevada. The video concludes with a brief, unexpected appearance by the Anduril FQ‑44 Fury.

YouTube - Uncanny Expeditions: "Secretive Stealth Drone Captured | RQ-170 Wraith Night Ops at Creech AFB"
 
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