RQ-170 stealth UAV - clear photo from Michael Yon

Michael Yon

Thats some goodness right there. I really hope we get a full roll out / 'show & tell' as its one smart looking bird.

link is broken

second line

Fixed it for you!

Now you can go and have a look. My apologise for getting it wrong.

Link works for me!
second line

Interesting. The configuration seems to match the other stealth UCAV/UAV that have been rolled out e.g. Taranis, Neuron etc with the exception of the two cone/pyramid type projections on either side of the central intake. I wonder what those are for....

The link worked for me.

Presume the picture is taken from inside a plane. It's a great snap though and does look it's an RQ-170.

I wonder how long it will be before we see these flying our skies?

reply to post by justwokeup


I'm no expert. I guess that where the domes are above the wing and appear to be facing forward, that they are some kind of stereoscopic range finding equipment. Used for pinpointing a target?

Anyway, just my guess. Hopefully, one of our experts will chip in.

Originally posted by justwokeup
with the exception of the two cone/pyramid type projections on either side of the central intake. I wonder what those are for....

Data links - airborne / satellite communications keeping the signals shielded is my best bet to utilise to full effect (i.e. high bandwidth demands and multiple feeds) the optical sensors on the underside in the faired in pod just behind the nose wheel.

Originally posted by justwokeup
Interesting. The configuration seems to match the other stealth UCAV/UAV that have been rolled out e.g. Taranis, Neuron etc with the exception of the two cone/pyramid type projections on either side of the central intake. I wonder what those are for....

They are the intakes for the engines - there is no central intake, if you look closely its painted a darker shade of gray, and from that I would assume that that is the satelite uplink dome and other communications systems.

They are the intakes for the engines - there is no central intake, if you look closely its painted a darker shade of gray, and from that I would assume that that is the satelite uplink dome and other communications systems.

Sorry Richard but the other photos clearly show a central intake feeding a single engine. There is an aviation week article on the web where a USAF source talks of a 'dark star like' UAV with dual over wing comms pods being seen very near U-2 flights in 2003 over Iraq.

Where is the link to the photo? I can not see a link on this page. Am I mentally challenged?

UAV picture link

Originally posted by Monteriano
Where is the link to the photo? I can not see a link on this page. Am I mentally challenged?

Click on the above to get to the picture. Still amazed theres not been much discussion of this on the boards.

I'm amazed too. I'm also slightly taken aback that they were just hooning about with the UAV in the middle of the day.

reply to post by Astr0

I'm not seeing any link in the OP, what gives? Other comments made above make it seem like there was a link there at one point, but it's no longer there.

What's the deal?

Click on the bit that says "Michael Yon." Links are coloured snot green now guys.

Originally posted by Astr0
Michael Yon

Thats the link.

As for middle of the day - Michael Yon was on the flight line so am not suprised they thought they were all clear.

I agree that the RQ-170 Sentinel is a single intake jet. You can see this in some photos of it as there are no humps on each of the wings but a single intake.
RQ-170 no pods on wings

From what I have read it is believed that the pods on the wings are for communications and/or for sensors.
Below is a model of the RQ-170 and you can see the pods on the wings and the single intake.
RQ-170 with pods

Very cool, great to see a clear picture finally.

reply to post by I B Dazzlin


Your first link is of a BAE Raven I think, although I've seen it under different names

either way, it's not the RQ-170

reply to post by maintainright


You are correct that is the BAE Raven. I mistakingly posted that, I apologize.
BAE Raven
Basicaly its a British version of the RQ-170.

It still does not deter from my point that the objects on each side of the central intake are likely sensors and the fact that it has a single intake for the jet engine.
i.imgur.com...