RQ-170 Sentinel

The RQ-170 Sentinel is a low-observable unmanned aircraft system associated with Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works and operated by the U.S. Air Force. Public details remain limited, but the system is officially described as a reconnaissance and surveillance platform supporting joint-force commanders.

The aircraft's flying-wing shape and low-observable design suggest a role in collecting intelligence where conventional UAVs would be too vulnerable or politically conspicuous. It is intended to locate targets and gather surveillance information while reducing detectability compared with non-stealthy ISR aircraft.

The RQ-170 is important because it fills the gap between open-theater UAVs and highly classified penetrating ISR assets. Its public history demonstrates that unmanned systems can support sensitive intelligence missions where survivability, discretion, and persistence are more valuable than payload size.