Beast of Kandahar RQ-170 Sentinel, stealth drone Venezuela Maduro, US military operation drone reconnaissance, Lockheed Martin flying wing UAV, and high-altitude spy drone 2026 have surged in searches amid reports tying this elusive aircraft to the dramatic U.S. raid on Caracas.
The “Beast of Kandahar” is the popular nickname for the Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel, a highly classified, unmanned stealth drone operated by the U.S. Air Force primarily for the CIA.
First publicly spotted in late 2007 at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan—hence the “Beast” moniker coined by aviation journalist Bill Sweetman—the RQ-170 is a tailless flying-wing design optimized for deep penetration into contested airspace without detection.
Developed by Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works, this high-altitude, long-endurance UAV features low-observable (stealth) technology to evade radar, making it ideal for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. It lacks armament—its “RQ” designation confirms it’s purely for recon—and relies on advanced sensors for real-time video, signals intelligence, and possibly electronic warfare support.
With an estimated wingspan of around 66 feet and a gray, bat-like silhouette, the Sentinel operates at altitudes up to 50,000 feet, providing persistent overwatch. It gained fame for surveilling Osama bin Laden’s compound before the 2011 raid and was involved in monitoring Iran (one was famously captured there in 2011).
In the context of the January 2026 U.S. operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, reports indicate the RQ-170 played a key surveillance role. Amid months of buildup, including airstrikes on alleged drug trafficking sites, the “Beast” reportedly tracked Maduro’s frequent location changes (7-8 hideouts) to enable the precise Delta Force raid. Recent footage even showed one returning to a Puerto Rico base post-mission.
While the main assault involved over 150 manned aircraft, helicopters, and special forces, the Sentinel’s stealthy ISR capabilities were crucial for avoiding detection in a hostile environment.
For U.S. readers, this highlights advanced military tech’s role in high-stakes operations, raising debates on drone ethics, sovereignty, and transparency in foreign interventions.
As Beast of Kandahar RQ-170 Sentinel, stealth drone Venezuela Maduro, US military operation drone reconnaissance, Lockheed Martin flying wing UAV, and high-altitude spy drone 2026 dominate discussions, the drone’s shadowy legacy endures.
By Sam Michael
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