Well we have heard quite a lot about the stealthy aircraft that was used in Afghanistan by USAF called “Beast of Kandahar” (RQ 170 Sentinel) . We now also have the latest images of this unmanned drone constructed by Lockheed Martin . The USAF also have confirmed that the RQ-170 Sentinel is in development, and is expected to provide reconnaissance and surveillance support to forward-deployed combat forces.
The new series of images that have been leaked onto the internet offers the clearest view of the RQ-170’s nose till date. It shows the inlet shape of the RQ 170 Sentinel as an isosceles trapezoid. The basic shape is common for such a flying-wing, stealthy aircraft. It looks quite similar to the the inlet aperture of the MiG Skat . However it differs greatly from the inverted-W shaping of the Boeing Phantom Ray and Northrop Grumman X-47B. This looks like a further development of the air inlet from the B2 Bomber and simlar to what Boeing rolled out with the Phantom Ray.
The name “Beast of Kandahar” was given to RQ-170 Sentinel after its 2007 pictures were released which showed the aircraft in action in Afghanistan. The pictures gave the description of an aircraft that resembles a drone that has the ability to cheat radar and also the shape which resembles that of a stealth aircraft. The main purpose of the drone was to provide aerial and strategic information to the ground army battling in Afghanistan. “RQ” represents that the aircraft is unmanned and is different from other aircrafts named with “MQ” which are loaded with laser guided weapons.
The presence of such a stealthy aircraft in the region had raised few questions as to why U.S was using such technology in a warzone where there were no radar systems available to militants. This has pointed towards the possible use of the drones over Iran and Pakistan. According to reports, the U.S. air force had targeted many terrorists in Pakistan with the help of Predators and Reaper drones.
