USAF operates RQ-170 stealth drone over Black Sea

Nine flights have been carried out over the Black Sea by USAF-operated Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel low observable (or stealth) unmanned aerial vehicles, according to a batch of secret US military documents posted online.

The flights by the highly classified RQ-170 Sentinel – nicknamed the ‘Beast of Kandahar’ – took place between November 2022 and February 2023, according to a leaked US Joint Chiefs of Staff document, titled ‘Black Sea ISR 29 Sep 22-26 Feb 23’. The document is a Microsoft PowerPoint briefing slide that includes a map showing the routes taken by US and allied intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) patrol aircraft over the Black Sea and the boundaries of what is called the ‘ISR Operational Area’.

This zone c

Become a Premium Member to Read More

This is a premium article and requires an active Key.Aero subscription to view.

I’m an existing member, sign me in!

I don’t have a subscription…

Enjoy the following subscriber only benefits:

  • Unlimited access to all KeyAero content
  • Exclusive in-depth articles and analysis, videos, quizzes added daily
  • A fully searchable archive – boasting hundreds of thousands of pieces of quality aviation content
  • Access to read all our leading aviation magazines online - meaning you can enjoy the likes of FlyPast, Aeroplane Monthly, AirForces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, Aviation News, Airports of the World, PC Pilot and Airliner World - as soon as they leave the editor’s desk.
  • Access on any device- anywhere, anytime
  • Choose from our offers below