RQ-170 Sentinel - maritime surveillance role?

[chopper2004]

In the back of the latest Combat Aircraft, there is a photo submitted by a space enthusiast local to Vandenberg AFB of the elusive Beast of Kandahar. The photo shows the UAS in the pattern to KVBG with what appears to be a modified sensor package and test probe. Its been hinted or assumed that the RQ-170 may have the mods for the maritime surveillance role.....

Apparently according to the FOIA documents, that RQ-170 has had a presence at Vandenberg since 2011....

https://www.yahoo.com/news/exclusive-uniquely-configured-rq-170-152946107.html

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/longranger/vandenberg_rq170_zpsbgsznvcc.jpg

cheers

[AnglianAV8R]

Don't be daft. That's a weather balloon.

[Evalu8ter]

Looks like swamp gas to me....I suppose that a stealthy maritime UAV might compliment the Triton in certain circumstances. However, Vandenburg is an isolated base (albeit with an Amtrak route through it...) with extensive access to ranges - maybe it's just there for trials?

[chopper2004]

Reading this article it almost hints that the RQ-170 is here in Europe albeit operating as part of expeditionary wing in Romania.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/39753/air-force-makes-extremely-rare-announcement-about-deployment-of-rq-170-stealth-drones

cheers