14 DAY TRIAL // A large unmanned aerial system (UAS) featuring stealth and low-observation capabilities is currently being designed and developed for the United States Air Force (USAF) by engineers at Northrop Grumman. The classified aircraft could enter active service as early as 2015.
As evidenced by the image above, the RQ-180 is impressively large, featuring a wingspan of around 40 meters (130 feet). Some analysts suggest that its role may be to conduct penetrating intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, of the type carried out by the Lockheed SR-71 aircraft.
Both Boeing and Lockheed Martin entered the USAF competition for the new ISR drone, but Northrop won the contract in the end. Funds for the UAS are provided via the Air Force's classified budget.
RQ-180 will be able to carry active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and passive electronic surveillance measures, in addition to standard surveillance equipment. Some variants may be built that will feature electronic attack capabilities, Aviation Week reports.
Some of the other projects carried out by the Integrated Systems division at Northrop include the B-2 bomber, the Global Hawk and Fire Scout UAS and the X-47B unmanned combat air system (UCAS).