View Full Version : A photograph of the Beast of Kandahar, the classified stealth UAV has emerged.
Rubicks13
2nd Dec 2009, 13:40
Was over at AviationWeek.com and saw this blog post. Very interesting indeed!
Click here (http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&newspaperUserId=27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3a3a3730f4-c5f9-475c-be42-1fdc18846c1b&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest) to read the entire blog entry.
CUBE
dead_pan
2nd Dec 2009, 18:37
I didn't know the Taleban had air defence radar.
A solution looking for a problem methinks.
hoodie
2nd Dec 2009, 18:42
Reading the comments at the link is thought provoking:
I would hazard to guess that this UAV was being used to monitor the Pakistan weapons research facility at Kahuta. Since the Taliban has been targeting the personnel involved with the nuclear weapons program for sometime now, this would be a stealthy way to keep tabs on the both the personnel and the weapons/nuclear materials. There also continues to be rumors of Chinese technical assistance with both nuclear and conventional weapons programs, many of which are based in and around Kahuta.
rolandpull
2nd Dec 2009, 18:50
Its a strange little thing about the size of a Tutor. Lands very fast too!
The B Word
2nd Dec 2009, 19:00
T'was covered a few months back as well...
http://www.pprune.org/military-aircrew/384455-duncan-sandys-redux.html
http://www.u2sr71patches.co.uk/images/july08desprow1_small.jpg
Razor61
2nd Dec 2009, 20:19
Although based on the other side of Afghanistan, it wouldn't take long for that "beast" to fly up and down or into Iranian Airspace.... ideal for snooping Uranium enrichment sites and the like without relying on a satellite every 90 minutes.....
The western side of Iran is pretty much covered no doubt too.... Balad AB maybe? Most of the US UAV's operate from there i believe.
But then there is Pakistan too like already mentioned.
A.Agincourt
2nd Dec 2009, 23:48
The use of 'stealth' in this theater is for the benefit of those not engaged that might be observing.
Best Wishes
Looks remarkably like the X-45 from some angles.
Boeing X-45 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_X-45)
sedburgh
4th Dec 2009, 22:11
AW&ST are now reporting that the USAF has identified the type as the Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel.
Ares Homepage (http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&newspaperUserId=27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3a649e3cf4-8c07-4739-82cf-322c6c56ccd5&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest)
The B Word
17th Dec 2009, 20:05
Another picture recently posted on the internet...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v685/rolandpull/IMGP0439u.jpg
BEagle
17th Dec 2009, 21:38
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a341/nw969/omega.jpg
The B Word
18th Dec 2009, 14:16
Beags
Old news, I guess, if you're a German (or American if you look at Jack Northolt's pre- WWII designs).
See the National Geographic Channel's "Hitler's Stealth Fighter"? Hitler's Stealth Fighter | National Geographic Channel (http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/hitler-s-stealth-fighter-3942/Overview)
They actually built a full sized replica to test out it's RCS for real - fascinating viewing.
http://ngccommunity.nationalgeographic.com/ngcblogs/inside-ngc/3942_Hitlers_Stealth_Fighter-08_04700300.jpg
Of course, in those days, they had a man in the cockpit - how quaint?! :}
The B Word