Northrop Grumman RQ-180

Background

The RQ-180 was developed to address the U.S. Air Force's need for a penetrating intelligence platform after the SR-71 Blackbird was retired in 1999. It appears to be a follow-on to the Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems project, which was split in December 2005 when the Navy pursued a carrier-based aircraft (leading to the X-47B) and the Air Force began a classified program. Northrop Grumman was awarded the development contract after a competition against Boeing and Lockheed Martin, believed to have been in 2008, with low-rate production deliveries starting in 2013.

The aircraft first flew on August 3, 2010, and eight additional engineering and manufacturing development vehicles were built and flown; the first production RQ-180 entered service in January 2017. The program was revealed in a December 2013 cover story by Aviation Week & Space Technology. The RQ-180 is believed to be about the size of the RQ-4 Global Hawk, with a cranked-kite layout similar to the X-47B but with a much longer wingspan, possibly 130 ft.

It features superior all-aspect, broadband radar cross-section reduction compared to earlier stealth aircraft, and improved aerodynamics for greater range, endurance, and service ceiling. It is equipped with an AESA radar and passive electronic surveillance measures, and may be capable of electronic attack. The aircraft has been nicknamed the 'Great White Bat' and 'Shikaka' by Edwards Air Force Base personnel, and was referred to as 'White Bat' in a 2021 promotional video.