Lockheed Martin Drone Aircraft: Next Generation Unmanned Systems

Lockheed Martin's drone aircraft are designed to be highly maneuverable, with some models capable of flying at speeds of up to 350 knots.

Their advanced sensors and navigation systems enable them to gather high-quality data and conduct complex missions with precision.

The company's unmanned systems are built with durability in mind, with some models designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and extreme temperatures.

Lockheed Martin's drone aircraft are used in a variety of applications, including surveillance, reconnaissance, and cargo transport.

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The RQ-170 Sentinel was developed by Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works as a stealth unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). It has a wingspan of 65 feet 7 inches and is 14 feet 9 inches long.

The Sentinel is a tailless flying wing design containing a single engine, and its takeoff weight is estimated to be greater than the RQ-3 DarkStar's 8,500 pounds. The design lacks several elements common to stealth engineering, such as zigzag edged landing gear doors and sharp leading edges.

Aviation Week believes that the Sentinel's medium-grey color implies a mid-altitude ceiling, unlikely to exceed 50,000 feet, since a higher ceiling would normally be painted darker for concealment.

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The RQ-170 Sentinel was developed by Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works as a stealth unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Journalists have noted design similarities between the RQ-170 and previous stealth and UAV programs such as the Lockheed Martin RQ-3 DarkStar and Polecat.

The aircraft is tailless, with pods built into the upper surface of each wing, and has a wingspan of 65 feet 7 inches (20 m).

The "RQ" designation indicates that the RQ-170 Sentinel does not carry weapons, and Aviation Week & Space Technology's David A. Fulghum believes that the UAV is probably a "tactical, operations-oriented platform and not a strategic intelligence-gathering design".

The first flight of the RQ-170 took off secretly from Kandahar Air Force Base in Afghanistan in 2007.

The USAF officially unveiled the operations of RQ-170 in its fleet in December 2009, after journalists confirmed the sighting of the aircraft near Kandahar Airfield.

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The RQ-170 Sentinel's design is a significant aspect of its development. It's a flying wing design, similar to the RQ-3 DarkStar and P-175 Polecat.

The aircraft's wingspan is approximately 66 feet (20 m), making it a large and impressive machine. Its takeoff weight is estimated to be greater than the RQ-3 DarkStar's 8,500 pounds (3,900 kg).

The RQ-170 lacks several stealth engineering elements, such as zigzag edged landing gear doors and sharp leading edges. This suggests that the designers have avoided using "highly sensitive technologies" due to the risk of compromising leading edge technology.

The aircraft's medium-grey color implies a mid-altitude ceiling, unlikely to exceed 50,000 feet (15,000 m). A higher ceiling would normally be painted darker for concealment.

The RQ-170 is equipped with an electro-optical/infrared sensor and possibly an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar mounted in its belly fairing. The two undercarriage fairings over the UAV's wings may house datalinks.

About 90% of the aircraft is made up of composite materials to decrease its overall weight. The tailless flying wing design of the RQ-170 looks similar to the RQ-3 Darkstar and P-175 Polecat.

The Indago 4 quadrotor is a military-grade, all-weather, Group 1, small uncrewed aerial system (UAS).

It provides 360-degree reconnaissance capabilities. This level of coverage is crucial for gathering information from all angles.

The Indago 4 features on-edge computing, allowing it to operate in environments that fixed-wing UAS can't reach.

Northstar is a vision-based navigation solution for uncrewed aircraft operating in GPS-degraded or denied environments.

Its minimal size, weight, and power requirements make it suitable for use by all sizes of UAS.

The RQ-170 Sentinel, a drone aircraft developed by Lockheed Martin, has an impressive operational history. It was the first unit to operate RQ-170 Sentinels, activated on 1 September 2005 at Tonopah Test Range Airport in Nevada.

The RQ-170 has been deployed to Afghanistan, where it was sighted at Kandahar Airfield in late 2007, leading to speculation about its use for spying on nearby countries. Its stealth capabilities made it a prime candidate for such operations.

The RQ-170 has also been used for bomb damage assessment, conducting a test drop of a Massive Ordnance Penetrator bomb from a Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth bomber in October 2012.

The 30th Reconnaissance Squadron was the first unit to operate RQ-170 Sentinels, activated on 1 September 2005.

Based at Tonopah Test Range Airport in Nevada, the squadron played a significant role in the operational history of the RQ-170 Sentinel.

One of the first sightings of the RQ-170 Sentinel was in late 2007 at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan, where its secret status led to it being dubbed the "Beast of Kandahar".

The deployment of the RQ-170 Sentinel to Afghanistan sparked speculation about its use, with some suggesting it was used to spy on Pakistan or Iran.

The stealth capabilities of the Sentinel are being used to fly in nearby countries, according to Phil Finnegan, a UAV analyst.

In December 2009, South Korea's JoongAng Daily newspaper reported that the RQ-170 Sentinel had been test-flown in South Korea for the past few months.

The Sentinel was expected to be permanently deployed in 2010 to replace Lockheed U-2 reconnaissance aircraft operating from Osan Air Base.

The deployment of the RQ-170 Sentinel to South Korea and Afghanistan was probably undertaken to monitor Pakistan and North Korea's ballistic missile programs, according to Bill Sweetman.

In 2020, it was revealed that the USAF ordered the deployment of the drone to Kunsan Air Base on 4 September 2009.

The RQ-170 Sentinel played a significant role in the operation that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden on 2 May 2011.

The aircraft provided footage of the attack, which was watched live by President Barack Obama and his senior national security advisors.

At least one RQ-170 monitored Pakistani military radio transmissions in the area to provide warning of the response to the attack.

The RQ-170 Sentinel was also used to conduct bomb damage assessment for a test drop of a Massive Ordnance Penetrator bomb from a Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth bomber in October 2012.

The 44th Reconnaissance Squadron was established on 1 April 2015, and it is believed that it was equipped with RQ-170s.

Between 20 and 30 RQ-170s were in service with the USAF as of 2021.

The type continued to be operated by the 30th and 44th Reconnaissance Squadrons at that time.

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The RQ-170 Sentinel features a unique design that allows it to fly undetected. Its bat-shaped wings, blended fuselage, and pointed nose make it a stealthy aircraft.

The Sentinel has a tricycle type landing gear, which provides stability during takeoff and landing. This feature is essential for its reconnaissance missions.

An electro-optic camera is incorporated beneath the front fuselage section, capturing real-time imagery or videos of the battlefield. This camera is a crucial component of the Sentinel's reconnaissance capabilities.

The direction satellite communication antenna enables communication between the vehicle and control station. This feature allows the Sentinel to transmit its findings in real-time.

The Sentinel's low-observable design enables it to fly on the borders of countries like Iran, China, India, and Pakistan. This design feature is crucial for its intelligence gathering missions.

About 90% of the Sentinel is made up of composite materials, reducing its overall weight. This feature improves the aircraft's fuel efficiency and maneuverability.

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The Sentinel is powered by a single General Electric TF34 turbofan engine, which produces 9,275lbs of thrust. This engine is designed to minimize operational costs and maximize fuel efficiency.

Electro-optic and infra-red sensors are incorporated in the upper surface of the Sentinel's wings. These sensors provide the aircraft with real-time information about its surroundings.

The Sentinel is fitted with an active electronically scanned array radar, synthetic aperture radar, and signal intelligence in its belly fairings. These sensors enable the aircraft to detect and track targets with high accuracy.

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Our military is embracing a new way of operating, one that combines the strengths of both crewed and uncrewed aircraft. This concept is called Crewed-Uncrewed Teaming.

This innovative approach creates a powerful, unified force that expands capabilities for our forces and allies. By integrating crewed and uncrewed platforms, we can achieve more than we could alone.

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The Stalker VXE30 is a silent and operational UAS that provides long-endurance imaging capability in all weather conditions.

It's a combat-proven Group 2 UAS, which means it's been tested and proven effective in real-world scenarios.

This UAS can track targets while remaining undetected, making it a valuable asset for surveillance and reconnaissance missions.