As for if we are seeing the oldest, or newest evolution of the RQ-170 design, that is not clear, but we can say with certainty that this particular RQ-170 is used for testing purposes.įor instance, one of the RQ-170's missions is to provide overwatch, including streaming video to commanders (and possibly communications relay), for special operations units operating in contested territory. These exist on top of the aircraft as well as the Iranians have shown video of their officers messing with them. Some highly visible air-data sensors are also seen embedded into the drone's leading edge, and what appear to be some sort of speed-brake like units towards the outer edges of the Sentinel's wings. These include an air inlet on the right-rear underside of the aircraft and what appear to be doors, either for access or otherwise, outboard of the aircraft's shrouded sensor turret and what is likely a synthetic aperture radar housing that protrudes down the drone's centerline. His images show an RQ-170 like we have never seen before, sporting a large air data boom, a strange hodgepodge of black and white paneling, as well as some other features not seen in prior RQ-170 photos. The images were snapped by photographer Matt Hartman while visiting the base to capture the launch of a classified reconnaissance satellite (NROL-79).
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