OVERVIEW
The Northrop Grumman RQ-180 is being developed as a high-speed, stealth-minded, airspace-penetrating UAV reconnaissance platform.
The Northrop Grumman RQ-180 is being developed as a high-speed, stealth-minded, airspace-penetrating UAV reconnaissance platform.
YEAR: 2015
MANUFACTURER(S): Northrop Grumman - USA
PRODUCTION: 1
OPERATORS: United States
SPECIFICATIONS
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Northrop Grumman RQ-180 model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Northrop Grumman RQ-180 model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
CREW: 0
LENGTH: 131.23 feet (40 meters)
WIDTH: 164.04 feet (50 meters)
HEIGHT: 34.45 feet (10.5 meters)
WEIGHT (EMPTY): 14,110 pounds (6,400 kilograms)
WEIGHT (MTOW): 44,533 pounds (20,200 kilograms)
ENGINE: (Assumed) 1 x turbofan engine.
RANGE: 2,423 miles (3,900 kilometers; 2,106 nautical miles)
CEILING: 40,026 feet (12,200 meters; 7.58 miles)
ARMAMENT
None. Mission-specific payloads as related to reconnaissance, surveillance and intelligence-gathering.
None. Mission-specific payloads as related to reconnaissance, surveillance and intelligence-gathering.
VARIANTS
Series Model Variants
• RQ-180 - Base Series Designation
Series Model Variants
• RQ-180 - Base Series Designation
HISTORY
Detailing the development and operational history of the Northrop Grumman RQ-180 Reconnaissance Stealth UAV. Entry last updated on 7/6/2017. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
Detailing the development and operational history of the Northrop Grumman RQ-180 Reconnaissance Stealth UAV. Entry last updated on 7/6/2017. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
The existence of the Northrop Grumman RQ-180 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) was unveiled by the United States Air Force in December of 2013. It is an unarmed, reconnaissance-minded platform intended for deep penetration actions over enemy airspace. It is assumed that the vehicle utilizes extensive stealth features including unique body-shaping and coatings to avoid enemy detection. The system is along the same form and function of the competing Lockheed RQ-170 Sentinel though with a more extended endurance envelope. The RQ-180 was selected ahead of competing designs offered by Boeing and Lockheed.
Northrop Grumman has already enjoyed considerable public exposure through recent successes with the X-47B product for the US Navy - completing the first-ever carrier landing by a UAV in aviation history. Northrop Grumman also has over a decades-worth of experience in supporting the technologically-advanced fleet of B-2 Spirit flying wing stealth bombers. It is believed that the new RQ-180 takes on a similar design shape as the X-47B. The vehicle's wingspan is estimated to be around 130 feet though little else on the product has been revealed to date (December 2013).
This article will be updated as new information becomes available.
Northrop Grumman has already enjoyed considerable public exposure through recent successes with the X-47B product for the US Navy - completing the first-ever carrier landing by a UAV in aviation history. Northrop Grumman also has over a decades-worth of experience in supporting the technologically-advanced fleet of B-2 Spirit flying wing stealth bombers. It is believed that the new RQ-180 takes on a similar design shape as the X-47B. The vehicle's wingspan is estimated to be around 130 feet though little else on the product has been revealed to date (December 2013).
This article will be updated as new information becomes available.
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City-to-City Ranges
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Graph showcases the Northrop Grumman RQ-180's operational range (on internal fuel) when compared to distances between major cities.
Aviation Era
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Unit Production Comparison
Comm. Market HI*: 44,000 units
Military Market HI**: 36,183 units
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