RQ-170 Sentinel vs RQ-180
Sentinel and the aircraft widely reported as RQ-180 are associated with low-observable intelligence missions, but the amount and quality of public disclosure differ. This is an evidence-bound comparison, not a reliable basis for exact range, signature or sensor-performance rankings.
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Specifications side by side
| Specification | RQ-170 Sentinel | RQ-180 |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin | Northrop Grumman (reported) |
| Country of origin | USA | USA |
| Mission role | Stealth Reconnaissance | Stealth Strategic Reconnaissance |
| Year introduced | 2007 | 2010 |
| Length | Not officially disclosed; published estimates vary | Not publicly disclosed |
| Wingspan | Not officially disclosed; published estimates vary | Not publicly disclosed |
| Height | Not officially disclosed | Not publicly disclosed |
| Maximum speed | Not officially disclosed | Not publicly disclosed |
| Published range | Not officially disclosed | Not publicly disclosed |
| Endurance | Not officially disclosed | Not publicly disclosed |
| Service ceiling | Not officially disclosed | Not publicly disclosed |
| Payload | Classified ISR payload; official mass not disclosed | Not publicly disclosed |
| Weight | Not officially disclosed | Not publicly disclosed |
| Armament | No publicly confirmed weapons configuration | Not publicly disclosed; no confirmed armament |
Figures below come from the linked DroneStrike profiles and retain their configuration qualifiers. Maximum speed, range, endurance and payload are separate published figures, not a single achievable mission configuration. Range is not necessarily combat radius or datalink reach. Missing information is not zero, and a larger figure does not establish combat effectiveness.
The comparison that matters
Keep official disclosure, reporting, photographic interpretation and inference clearly separate. A familiar designation is not proof of a fully published specification. Missing data should remain missing, and a reported deployment should not be used to invent a service-entry or retirement timeline.
Understanding RQ-170 Sentinel
Sentinel is a low-observable reconnaissance aircraft with limited public technical disclosure. Its intelligence mission is better established than many of the exact performance or sensor figures circulated in secondary reporting.
Unconfirmed range, signature and sensor claims must not be presented as precise official specifications.
Understanding RQ-180
RQ-180 is a designation widely used in reporting on a very-low-observable reconnaissance program. Much of its publicly discussed configuration and status remains less transparent than familiar, officially documented UAV programs.
Separate reported existence and inferred configuration from officially disclosed performance, deployment dates or mission-system details.
How to read the specification table
The table compares the named RQ-170 Sentinel and RQ-180 catalog records, not an artificial combination of every advertised upgrade. Values are reproduced with their existing units and qualifications. Where figures describe different missions or payload types, treat them as context rather than calculating an unsupported performance advantage.
A published maximum is not necessarily achievable alongside every other maximum. Endurance may change with equipment, flight or sea conditions and transit requirements; a range figure may describe a different constraint from datalink reach. Unknown specifications remain unknown. For development programs and limited-disclosure systems, an intended capability must stay distinct from a completed trial or operational service.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between RQ-170 Sentinel and RQ-180?
Sentinel and the aircraft widely reported as RQ-180 are associated with low-observable intelligence missions, but the amount and quality of public disclosure differ. This is an evidence-bound comparison, not a reliable basis for exact range, signature or sensor-performance rankings.
Can the headline specifications establish a winner?
No. The mission, actual configuration, supported force and quality of evidence determine what the figures mean. Maximum speed, endurance and payload alone do not establish combat effectiveness, survivability or equal intelligence collection.
Where can I verify the versions and figures used here?
Follow the RQ-170 Sentinel and RQ-180 profile links for full descriptions, timelines and any listed source references. This guide preserves the catalog's uncertainty labels rather than presenting unpublished or weakly sourced figures as independently verified facts.
Sources and further reading
- RQ-170 Sentinel: full catalog profile, timeline and source notes
- RQ-180: full catalog profile, timeline and source notes
Specifications are drawn from the linked catalog profiles. Source dates and aircraft configurations may differ; see the individual profiles for their timelines and qualifications.