| RQ-170 Sentinel | |
|---|---|
| |
| Artist's rendering | |
| Role | Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
| Introduction | 2007 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary user | United States Air Force |
| Number built | 20 to 30[1] |
| Developed into | Shahed 171 Shahed Saegheh |
The Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel, nicknamed Wraith,[2] is an American unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by Lockheed Martin and operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). While the USAF has released few details on the UAV's design or capabilities, defense analysts believe that it is a stealth aircraft fitted with aerial reconnaissance equipment. Introduced in 2007, it was deployed to Afghanistan in late 2007, and to South Korea two years later, in September 2009. Some images and details of the aircraft were released after Iran captured an RQ-170 in 2011. It has a flying wing design, and uses a single engine, speculated to be either a General Electric TF34 turbofan or a Garrett TFE731.
- ^ Trevithick, Joseph (12 March 2021). "Air Force Makes Extremely Rare Mention Of Deployment Of RQ-170 Stealth Drones". The Drive. Archived from the original on 7 June 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
- ^ Trevithick, Joseph (3 May 2021). "Declassified Docs Offer New Details About A Growing RQ-170 "Wraith" Force". The Drive. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2023.