America's highly classified RQ-180 is much more than a spy plane

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 มี.ค. 2024
  • Go to ground.news/Sandboxx to get a no nonsense view on military developments around the world. Subscribe through my link for 30% off unlimited access to their Vantage Plan.
    -BREAK-
    In December of 2013, Aviation Week first broke the news to the world that the United States was secretly developing a large, stealthy reconnaissance aircraft meant to fill the role left empty by the SR-71’s retirement. This highly classified new aircraft was dubbed the RQ-180.
    But beyond that... details are pretty limited. Let's see what we can find out.
    📱 Follow Sandboxx News on social
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    📱 Follow Alex Hollings on social
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    Citations:
    www.twz.com/39882/how-the-rq-...
    dreamlandresort.com/
    aviationweek.com/defense-spac...
    news.usni.org/2013/12/09/anal...
    aviationweek.com/defense-spac...
    aviationweek.com/defense-spac...
    theaviationgeekclub.com/this-...
    www.dreamlandresort.com/forum...
    www.twz.com/42949/secret-rq-1...
    web.archive.org/web/201610272...
    web.archive.org/web/201612270...
    www.airandspaceforces.com/for...
    / the-air-force-just-cop...
    web.archive.org/web/202009210...
    www.airandspaceforces.com/why...
    defenseinnovationmarketplace....
    www.gao.gov/products/gao-10-2...
    www.bloomberg.com/news/articl...
    warontherocks.com/2019/06/is-...
    www.afcea.org/signal-media/in....
    www.af.mil/AboutUs/Biographies...
    www.sandboxx.us/news/rq-170-t...
    www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Shee...
    www.csmonitor.com/World/Middl...
    www.defensenews.com/global/mi...
    www.key.aero/article/usaf-ufo...
    • Heritage Today - ISR a...

ความคิดเห็น • 995

  • @SandboxxApp
    @SandboxxApp  2 หลายเดือนก่อน +52

    Go to ground.news/Sandboxx to get a no nonsense view on military developments around the world. Subscribe through my link for 30% off unlimited access to their Vantage Plan.

    • @imghoti
      @imghoti 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Too true! 😅

    • @williamcrislerjr-wb2gm
      @williamcrislerjr-wb2gm 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      When un acknoledged becomes main stream 2100

    • @robertc.9503
      @robertc.9503 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Where is the "Tanopa" test range in Nevada? 🤔

    • @raw7279
      @raw7279 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      I'll be impressed if it's able to fly along the Iranian border and not get lost like the RQ170

    • @Jmanfuego
      @Jmanfuego 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      *National anthem with eagle screeching starts playing.*
      Soldier from TF2: GOD BLESS AMERICA!

  • @conroc01
    @conroc01 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +543

    The SR71 Blackbird still looks futuristic to this day...60 years old ffs.

    • @nx1379
      @nx1379 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      Why couldnt they just redesign the jet but keep the cool look?!

    • @thudthud5423
      @thudthud5423 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +26

      A plane designed in the 1950s!

    • @theAverageJoe25
      @theAverageJoe25 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +20

      It’s just the look of it. It’s just sexy

    • @BrooksMoses
      @BrooksMoses 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +12

      Not too surprising that it still looks futuristic, given that "normal" aircraft also still mostly look the same as they did 60 years ago! (Except for the stealth planes, of course.)

    • @1tactundra140
      @1tactundra140 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +11

      Agreed. I still get a chub for that bird

  • @Angryspec
    @Angryspec 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +219

    RQ-180 Shikaka is now my head canon.

    • @ExarchGaming
      @ExarchGaming 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

      I cannot say that word without saying in the exact same way that Jim Carry did.... Shi...KAKA.

    • @needtau4138
      @needtau4138 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      CHICAGO!!!

    • @OriginalThisAndThat
      @OriginalThisAndThat 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      @@ExarchGaming Exactly what I thought.. I saw Jim Carreys face in my mind and how it sounded.. shi.. KAKAAAAAA

    • @mutantryeff
      @mutantryeff 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      "White Bat"? Should be called COVID-180

    • @MFcitrous
      @MFcitrous 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      brb saying this name around some ppl and watching their faces lol.

  • @_dev_null_
    @_dev_null_ 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +121

    When people in this country come together for a unified purpose, It's always amazing what we accomplish.

    • @kurtwinslow2670
      @kurtwinslow2670 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Nothing like keeping communism in check.

    • @smoke5985
      @smoke5985 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      lol another multi billion dollar toy thatll get smoked in the first 24 hours of war with china

    • @hylimm
      @hylimm 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      u mean promoting war??

    • @kurtwinslow2670
      @kurtwinslow2670 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

      @@hylimm Promoting war is one perspective. Another is confronting what is wrong. "When good men do nothing evil will prevail."

    • @_dev_null_
      @_dev_null_ 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      @@hylimm No, I mean at great feats of engineering. Name one country that does not develop or own weapons....I'll wait 🙂

  • @rodinvillarosa2924
    @rodinvillarosa2924 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +193

    This sort of explains why the USAF didnt prioritize replacement of the old AWACS.

    • @amazin7006
      @amazin7006 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +29

      I didn't even think about this, good point

    • @Static161A
      @Static161A 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +18

      They are planning on acquiring the E-7 now, but granted they let the E-3 age a lot.

    • @rodinvillarosa2924
      @rodinvillarosa2924 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      The Wedgetail?​@@Static161A

    • @Hebdomad7
      @Hebdomad7 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +28

      The AWACS as a concept of centralised command is outdated. Decentralized data fusion is the future.

    • @trentvlak
      @trentvlak 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Good point.

  • @mrackerm5879
    @mrackerm5879 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +186

    Alex, TH-cam is full of so much crap and click bait. When it comes to military aviation content, if I do not see SandBoxx as the source, I ignore it. You have a well-earned reputation for having interesting and mostly accurate content.

    • @user-fd6rr4iz9m
      @user-fd6rr4iz9m 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      He does simplify things down for the common user of you tube though.

    • @acoustic5738
      @acoustic5738 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

      This channel is 90% propaganda, specially for LM. It just do it a bit better than the rest. You cant narrow your view of things like that.

    • @alexalbrecht5768
      @alexalbrecht5768 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +31

      @@acoustic5738if you read the actual online articles the information is presented quite well. It’s not Lockheed’s fault that their only competition for making the world’s best aircraft is Northrop Grumman.

    • @bitchplease1114
      @bitchplease1114 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Just type PERUN into the search box.
      Will thank me eventually

    • @gayprepperz6862
      @gayprepperz6862 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Amen!!!

  • @johnmcdonald-6196
    @johnmcdonald-6196 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +141

    This channel is so well researched and presented.

    • @paulzx10
      @paulzx10 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      Got to be the first time seeing a comment like that which isn't accompanied by a camel toe pic haha.

    • @MrSeanman30
      @MrSeanman30 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      It is. It's just the "EA SPORTS It's in the Game" voice that is interesting lmao. Or the ESPN cut scene voices 😂

    • @DmitryKeylin
      @DmitryKeylin 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      I agree, does outstanding job

    • @bholdr----0
      @bholdr----0 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Kinda troubling that the advertiser is used as a source, though.
      Still, good content.

  • @CherryColaWizard
    @CherryColaWizard 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +90

    The RQ-180 could be a true successor to the U-2.

    • @Evergleam
      @Evergleam 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

      The U-2 is a paperweight compared to this. Imagine what we have that they don't tell us about....

    • @johnshackford
      @johnshackford 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +11

      Could be as the Air force has accelerated the retirement of the U-2 all will be gone by 2029. They wouldn't do that unless they had something to replace it with.

    • @razor1uk610
      @razor1uk610 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      ..I can't wait for the new album to eventually come out with future hit songs...
      _Slender Wings_
      _Forked Tails_
      _Vega_
      _Mach's Bird_
      _Twice Struck_
      _Three Suns_
      _Dragon Eyed_
      _Heracules_
      _Too Many Stars..._
      _Constellation_
      _Galaxy's Roll_
      _Masterclass & The CLJ_

    • @hazonku
      @hazonku 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Never ceases to amaze me that folks who say that are still a thing. Literally had to sign multiple NDAs when we got tricked out Pimp My Ride style only to see Mac showing off all of that stuff on Future Weapons like a year and a half later. LOL. It's a LOT harder to keep a secret these days. Also defense contractors need more customers than just Uncle Sam.@@Evergleam

    • @808bigisland
      @808bigisland 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      The U-2 is a highly stressed older design and not operator friendly. It was used to keep tabs on the alien visitors incursions outside radar reach

  • @raby760
    @raby760 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +162

    YOU'RE ALEX HOLLINGS!

    • @Wolfhound223
      @Wolfhound223 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +40

      And THAT was AIR POWAH :D

    • @wtbanation6268
      @wtbanation6268 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +22

      *FOX 1 FOX 1*

    • @THE-X-Force
      @THE-X-Force 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +19

      *_I'M ALEX HOLLINGS!_*

    • @Osprey980
      @Osprey980 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +16

      @@THE-X-Force HES ALEX HOLLINGS

    • @THE-X-Force
      @THE-X-Force 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +19

      @@Osprey980 *_YOU'RE ALEX HOLLINGS!_*

  • @johndc2998
    @johndc2998 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +49

    Not trolling here, I love how the channel is called sandboxx but you use airpower when you're talking about planes. Its just a very crisp and professional sounding intro, keep up the good content brotha I watch a few vids a week on lunch break or at night haha right up my alley

    • @MrSeanman30
      @MrSeanman30 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      Doesn't his voice sound just like the "EA SPORTS ITS IN THE GAME" voice lmao

    • @Hebdomad7
      @Hebdomad7 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      It's stupid and cheesy but I love it and wouldn't want it any other way.

  • @RavenRunFoxRoam
    @RavenRunFoxRoam 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +85

    Best defense news on the internet by far, Alex. Great work. Please continue to do this for decades. I fully expect to be watching a juicy video of the disclosed production NGAD in 2030ish.

    • @sshumkaer
      @sshumkaer 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      it will be before that but than again 2030 it self is only 6 years away

    • @paladro
      @paladro 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @@sshumkaer when you put it like that..

    • @sshumkaer
      @sshumkaer 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@paladro lol yeah. Way back in the day the Air Force used to test droping tugsten rodes from high up to see the damage it would cause, and it way alot

    • @teddy.d174
      @teddy.d174 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Alex is simply, the best in the business.

    • @nedkelly9688
      @nedkelly9688 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@teddy.d174 He is awful are a lot of programmes other countries are doing he does not even do anything on them, other countries hypersonics and other countries involvement in USA weapons tech.

  • @CF_Sapper
    @CF_Sapper 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +23

    What gets me excited is possible integration with ATAC and its mesh comms system. meaning as long as something is over head, comms would have far far fewer dead zones for friendly forces.

    • @Dr.Banner-ss4jp
      @Dr.Banner-ss4jp 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Negative, that is the job for the BACN birds.

  • @THE-X-Force
    @THE-X-Force 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +28

    Just tell me they'll put a self-destruct in it this time.

    • @MrSeanman30
      @MrSeanman30 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Are you making a joke about the movie "Stealth" where they make an AI jet that gets struck by lighting and turns evil? And thers no self destruction button to kill it?

    • @manydirt2600
      @manydirt2600 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

      ​@@MrSeanman30probably the incident where Iran captured one of these

    • @MrSeanman30
      @MrSeanman30 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @manydirt2600 gotcha. Thought it was a joke towards the movie "Stealth". AI plane goes haywire with no way to stop it. Imagine this drone or the new AI flown F16 goes haywire with no self destruct lmao

  • @jimbo92107
    @jimbo92107 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +17

    You're saying the RQ-180 replaces the strategic view of an AWACS, but with no risk to a human crew.

  • @ponz-
    @ponz- 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +36

    shikaka has to be the best name yet😂.

    • @tmikkelsen8066
      @tmikkelsen8066 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      Shikaka!

    • @CoffeeAndPaul
      @CoffeeAndPaul 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      ​@@tmikkelsen8066, Lake Titicaca, Lake Titicaca...
      Why do we sing of its fame??
      Lake Titicaca, Lake Titicaca...
      Because we like saying its name! Titicaca!!
      - Yakko, Wacko & Dot ❤ -

    • @tmikkelsen8066
      @tmikkelsen8066 27 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @@CoffeeAndPaul oh the days. 🤭

  • @MannyManatee-ux9cp
    @MannyManatee-ux9cp 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +39

    Can you do a video on the history of anti aircraft weapons. Would also love to see weapon spotlights on unusual weapons such as unique missiles or grandes.

    • @JSFGuy
      @JSFGuy 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Why don't you? You need to upload some content to your channel.

    • @goldenageofdinosaurs7192
      @goldenageofdinosaurs7192 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      While that would be interesting, that’s not really the kind of military topics he covers.

    • @Cyrribrae
      @Cyrribrae 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      ​@@goldenageofdinosaurs7192I don't know about that. Alex definitely covers anti air quite a bit and he does include a lot of history in his presentations. But I don't know how often he formats the videos like "the broad history of X topic". Especially something as broad as anti-air.

    • @narvalin5905
      @narvalin5905 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Check out Habitual Linecrosser’s channel. He’s a current air defenseman with a love of history. He has multiple videos on early air defense.

  • @steveshoemaker6347
    @steveshoemaker6347 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +19

    The most interesting Air Power video to date we think.....Thank you Alex🇺🇸

  • @A1FAHx
    @A1FAHx 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

    Keep up the good work, Alex! The boys and I watch your videos during lunch break to learn the capabilities of what we are flying! 😉👍

    • @brandonhoffman4712
      @brandonhoffman4712 11 วันที่ผ่านมา

      And suddenly china moved up a notch...

  • @lou1958
    @lou1958 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    Time is priceless, yet I always make time for your excellent content. Very well done.

  • @user-qu9wj1vh7i
    @user-qu9wj1vh7i 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    This is one of my fav channels so much info on such an interesting topic. Thank you sandboxx!

  • @timsfinetunes
    @timsfinetunes 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Thanks for your great work Alex, It is easy to see you are still serving.

  • @marc1829
    @marc1829 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Alex, the last few drops have been next level! You deserve 10 X your current subscription base! 🤩

  • @roberthevern6169
    @roberthevern6169 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    He's such an over-achiever!!
    Thanks, Alex!

  • @NPCRR
    @NPCRR 21 วันที่ผ่านมา

    LOVE your video coverage Alex!!!! I am always amazed!!

  • @amca68
    @amca68 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Great video as always, Alex.

  • @howardmaryon
    @howardmaryon 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Great program Alex. Bearing in mind how skillfull the guardians of sensitive information are, it seems like they only allow glimpses of the “latest technology” after is has already not only been deployed, but has even become superseded by something more advanced.

  • @lyfandeth
    @lyfandeth 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

    You mention remote crews swapping out on a 6-8 hour schedule. That works, and certainly matches military shifts.
    But extesive shift/performance testing in ocean racing, where the helmsman needs 100% peak performance, indicates that unless you are Superman, your mind tires and you lose your edge in as little as 2 hours. (Actually down to 20 minutes in highly adverse conditions.)
    So even in a remote seat, if an operator is really scanning all that data and trying to analyze moves in depth ahead, like a chess game, it might be more sensible for each watch to be only two or three hours long, with operators switching out in alernating periods, so one is always fresher and the other has continuity.

    • @FinsburyPhil
      @FinsburyPhil 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Air traffic controllers normally rotate every 90 minutes to two hours max

  • @bushcraft4life964
    @bushcraft4life964 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Yet another great show! Ty for for efforts

  • @bertg.6056
    @bertg.6056 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    A terrific presentation, Alex. Thanks !

  • @icare7151
    @icare7151 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    RQ-180 is the prototype and an operational more advanced version with spy, air to air and air to ground weapons capabilities highly likely already in service.

    • @1slotmech
      @1slotmech 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      We hope 😂

    • @icare7151
      @icare7151 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @@1slotmech Greetings from Cheyenne Mountain. I know.

  • @Firechief100
    @Firechief100 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

    Damn you’re good. Very interesting content.

  • @Toddnesbitt
    @Toddnesbitt 29 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Real nice job Alex I love the way you cover this stuff got all the questions answered, and well, can't wait to see the rest of your shows. Well done son.

  • @pauldavis5489
    @pauldavis5489 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thank you Alex!

  • @williamwchuang
    @williamwchuang 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +27

    Is this why the B-21 has been moving so quickly?

    • @trumptookthevaccine1679
      @trumptookthevaccine1679 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      😎

    • @kathrynck
      @kathrynck 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

      Well, this is a factor. Not just the RQ-180, but the other various flying wing drones.
      They also drew upon a lot of lessons learned in making the B-2. Often when making a completely novel design like the B-2, you run into engineering obstacles you couldn't have anticipated. And the design has to adapt it's way through all of that. Ultimately you end up deep down certain paths in the woods, which you don't have the resources to backtrack from, and you have to make performance hindering or expensive tradeoffs & work-arounds, which could have been avoided with foreknowledge. It's no longer NG's first rodeo with the basic design.
      The F-35 is a factor as well. The B-21 will have two modified F-35 engines with higher bypass and no afterburners. And numerous elements of F-35 avionics tech. Any time you can copy&paste off the shelf, you save time & money.
      I think the economics of it is another factor though. When the B-2 came out, we had a very capable bomber fleet, and the B-2 advanced the tech of that fleet ...but was not in the strictest sense "direly needed". Now though, the B-2s are a sustainment money-pit, and the B-1's have white hair & arthritis. So the B-21 isn't a question of capability upgrade, more of a "do you want to have any bombers, or not?" question. Which means contractors are a little less skittish about going 'all-in' and risking their investment to the fickle ideas of congressional funding. I mean, there's still the BUFF, useful as a delivery truck full of missiles much more advanced than the plane, but you're not gonna fly that within 600 miles of EAD.

    • @jzdude01
      @jzdude01 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      @@kathrynckI think it really comes down to the contract and program structures the Air Force has used. It really seems to have learned a lot from previous program nightmares, it just takes a while for the lessons being implemented to catch up and become apparent. Navy still seems to be struggling but I don’t think it’s necessarily an issue with their contracts, tho of course they could be better, but more rock and hard place. I’m not following army procurement enough to judge how it’s going, though the marines continue to manage to innovate and create some incredible capabilities on absolutely hair string budgets using incredibly sustainable existing technologies. Wonder what they could do with an actual working budget…
      Oh and space force is getting pounded on like every side from lack of funding, poor contracts (tho not necessarily ones they made), outdated organization and lack of congressional and public attention so they’re kinda just yelling into the void hoping someone will hear them while still doing insane work with what they need to work with.

    • @matthewnovak3095
      @matthewnovak3095 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      @@kathrynckI think Alex discussed it on this channel before, but apparently during the development of the B-2, NG was almost all the way done with the development before the airforce switched the requirements for the program(which is part of why it was so over budget). The air forces requirements for the B-21 however are much closer to the original aircraft NG had already designed 40 years ago, so they were able to pull on that

    • @kathrynck
      @kathrynck 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@matthewnovak3095 Well, I wouldn't say "almost done" but yeah, they switched to wanting it to be capable of doing low-level flight as a hedge against hypothetical stealth-defeating sensors.
      That's why the B-2 has that saw-tooth rear edge. The original B-2 design would have a single central 'point' between the wings, excending further back, rather than 3 points.
      Realistically, that was not smart on the AF's part. A flying wing and low level flight are not a good mix. NG shaved as much wing area off of it as they could, but a flying wing is never going to be "windshear safe" at very low altitude. If the AF wanted that, they should have made a new model of B-1.
      Biggest problem the B-2 had though... well... ok it had 2 huge problems really... 1) the coatings are ridiculously high-maintenance and delicate on it, and that's a "forever money pit". But bigger than that is how congress nuked the per-unit cost from orbit by making procurement cuts, and then acting surprised when each procurement cut drove the per-unit price through the ceiling ...over, and over, and over... until just 20 planes split the entire program budget across each for 2billion each.

  • @user-fd6rr4iz9m
    @user-fd6rr4iz9m 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Even though Iran got a hold of an RQ-170 Sentinel they do not have the networked infrastructure and technology to back it up to it's full potential. The US RQ-180 is on another level.

    • @TJSnej01
      @TJSnej01 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      If you have a network, the enemy can find it. If you have ai, you don´t need a networtk

    • @user-fd6rr4iz9m
      @user-fd6rr4iz9m 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Iran will have pre programmed flight modes but sophisticated satellite communications infrastructure they do not have, even Russia has not operated this in Ukraine war that often.
      AI is still in its infancy with the US decades in the lead. @@TJSnej01

    • @Integr8d
      @Integr8d 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      they prob sold it to china

  • @RagsAIN-14
    @RagsAIN-14 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Awesome Alex 👊😎 Loved it!🕊️❤️🕊️🤗

  • @udeychowdhury2529
    @udeychowdhury2529 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great video as always, thanks

  • @TheMuddleHeadedAnalyst
    @TheMuddleHeadedAnalyst 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +13

    This RQ-180 has the potential to be a real gamechanger. If even half of this is accurate, then it may completely change the wars of the future.

    • @jzdude01
      @jzdude01 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I think you’re thinking in reverse. The ways wars of the future are going to be fought necessitated the RQ-180. It’s been an ongoing evolution for decades now for the military to be, for lack of a better word, robotic. In the sense that it is more and more increasingly a set of sensors and effectors. At the highest levels of abstraction at least. The joint force gets fed Intel from its many sensors in different domain and then figure out the optimal effector to service a target found by the sensors. Do you need to move troops here? Can you use a missile, is the Air Force, army, or navy in the most optimal position to fire said missile, etc…
      The RQ-180 is just an extraordinarily capable platform designed for this modern war doctrine. It’s like having the best tank or prop fighter in WW2. The way war was fought dictated their creation, it wasn’t necessarily their creation that dictated war. (As in the Sherman wasn’t made and then war became about tanks, war became about combined arms after tanks first began operations and the Sherman is just a result of the military need for an optimal weapon for combined arms warfare.)

  • @Kevan808
    @Kevan808 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

    Hell yeah it's the Friday video!

  • @gnarlycarlson9600
    @gnarlycarlson9600 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Alex, you are simply the best at what you do, Thanks for keeping us informed !!

  • @bjl1226
    @bjl1226 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thanks Alex

  • @billholemo2518
    @billholemo2518 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

    Great job Alex!! 😊

  • @LeeJDo
    @LeeJDo 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +11

    That laser on top in one of the renders would be real good at very narrow, unobservable, unjammable communication with satellites overhead. Would make for a nice way to get situational data in and out of a battlespace where traditional radio communication might be difficult

    • @peekaboopeekaboo1165
      @peekaboopeekaboo1165 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Lasers can be detected by optical sensors. Thus revealing it's position .

    • @jeffbenton6183
      @jeffbenton6183 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      ​@@peekaboopeekaboo1165Not if it's pointed *away* from said sensors. (In the video, it's pointed towards space, not the ground)

    • @peekaboopeekaboo1165
      @peekaboopeekaboo1165 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@jeffbenton6183
      Lasers generate heat ... thus can be detected .

    • @CptJistuce
      @CptJistuce 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      ​@@peekaboopeekaboo1165You know what else generates heat? Jet enginesd

  • @DenisWilsonDWPIA
    @DenisWilsonDWPIA หลายเดือนก่อน

    Alex. You do a superb job of reportage on aerospace theory and industry as a whole. Keep up the good work.

  • @x-raf7652
    @x-raf7652 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Thanks for the laugh at 24:41 showing a battle occurring over North Wales in the UK. Other than drunken brawls in Chester (which is very near the border), I'm not aware of any battles between the English and the Welsh for the past 500+ years. Seriously good info and a laugh all in one vid, what more could I ask for?

  • @swiftycortex
    @swiftycortex 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Wow, thank you Alex. This is one of the coolest pieces I've seen in a while amongst a consistent series of cool pieces

  • @WesODonnellX
    @WesODonnellX 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

    I end all my emails with “Airpower!” and have for some time. And now I constantly hear it in Alex’s voice 😂

  • @stevecagle8002
    @stevecagle8002 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Excellent Job.. Thanks

  • @derkatzenfuerst6077
    @derkatzenfuerst6077 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Amazing video, can't wait until more info about this plane is released.

  • @michaelpetersen9656
    @michaelpetersen9656 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    Excellent work as always.

    • @JSFGuy
      @JSFGuy 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      It just started when you posted this comment. You didn't even watch it.

  • @leemarkley8496
    @leemarkley8496 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Very disturbing that Iran was able to hijack the electronics and bring the aircraft down ! That is a very embarrassing event.

    • @kolbevilla
      @kolbevilla 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      GPS spoofing is a known problem that has been addressed. There are also only so many radio frequencies that can be used to control an aircraft remotely.

  • @bobsmoot8454
    @bobsmoot8454 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    This is a very informative channel, tons of detail, with good cover of the backstory

  • @DrgnRebrn
    @DrgnRebrn 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I've been waiting for this video.

  • @RedSinter
    @RedSinter 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Pretty extensive and pretty insane.

  • @scottsauritch3216
    @scottsauritch3216 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Although we did just officially order the E7 wedge tail, I'll be surprised if we don't create a stealth and/or unmanned AEWCs UAVs...

    • @user-fd6rr4iz9m
      @user-fd6rr4iz9m 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Stealth AWACs defeats its own purpose, once you turn on that RADAR everyone sees you thus being stealthy is moot.

    • @cadennorris960
      @cadennorris960 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@user-fd6rr4iz9mJust because you know it’s there doesn’t mean you can attempt an intercept.

    • @major__kong
      @major__kong 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      There are radars with LPI/LPD modes. I think all the western AESA radars come with this capability out of the box. Go search on "spread spectrum".

    • @user-fd6rr4iz9m
      @user-fd6rr4iz9m 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      true@@cadennorris960

  • @davidlambert1102
    @davidlambert1102 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    One of top 3, if not the BEST of presentations you have created yet! I'm sure I'll sleep better tonight!

  • @user-yz2uv7mk9k
    @user-yz2uv7mk9k หลายเดือนก่อน

    One of the best openings and tag lines out there.

  • @michaelt1775
    @michaelt1775 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    If i were the military i would build different drones that looked like advanced military tech and intentionally down them in adversary countries . With hidden cameras on board and packed with a 1000 pounds of c4 for after recovery. Wait til they get it back to a secret facility to show of then turn on and watch everything go boom

    • @Cyrribrae
      @Cyrribrae 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      That's.. just straight up an act of war... It's not even a particularly effective one either. If adversaries are so incompetent as to allow themselves to be Trojan horsed without first checking for communications, let alone explosives... I mean... Shoot we probably overpaid on the sabotage budget lol

    • @mtbadger1346
      @mtbadger1346 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Lmao 😂

    • @thomasblankinship98
      @thomasblankinship98 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      ​@@Cyrribraewell our government has allowed our enemies to send troops over and just walk in and then move around all over the country. Won't be long until " things" start happening. Bet they won't be called acts of war.

    • @istvansipos9940
      @istvansipos9940 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      sure. they would neve notice it. they are fools from the 18th century with no bomb detection skill and never heard of a Trojan horse. Right? You are not the military for a reason.

  • @radical137
    @radical137 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    You can't use this to completely replace awacs but it is a damn fine supplement. awacs uses radar and this thing uses infra-red, as opposed to radar to maintain stealth. The current awacs should be replaced with something that can kinetically easily beat long range missiles along with a full range of advanced countermeasures. Maybe you can power a giant side looking aesa radar pod with a dedicated F-15 EX?

    • @Cyrribrae
      @Cyrribrae 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I was asking this exact thing. In what types of roles is an AWACS still preferable over something like this platform? (Aside from cost, of course).

    • @user-fd6rr4iz9m
      @user-fd6rr4iz9m 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Yep this is not AWACS it is a networked node like ISTAR intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance
      it correlates information from other units does not emit RADAR like AWACS and more@@Cyrribrae

    • @Cyrribrae
      @Cyrribrae 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@user-fd6rr4iz9m right I understand it doesn't emit radar. But it does do SOME detecting of its own, right? And on the other end, AWACS also collates information and disseminates it.
      But ok, calling it a node makes sense. You don't have the war room sitting in the drone making plans and dishing them out. the information is just flowing through the node, as a sort of relay? Is that right?

    • @user-fd6rr4iz9m
      @user-fd6rr4iz9m 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Yep I agree @@Cyrribrae

    • @radical137
      @radical137 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@Cyrribrae it detects with sensitive infrared detectors (cameras) that can see many miles from up high or out and like IRST can then set that as a target for the datalink like the F-35 does. It should also carry AIM9x and use that IRST for self-defense.

  • @msgtpauldfreed
    @msgtpauldfreed 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    RQ-3 Darkstar...I watched it crash while I was at Edwards AFB. I was in my Chief's corner office in the hangar setting up a printer for him and I saw it taxi and said "Hey, Chief, the Darkstar is taking off" and then I looked down hooking up his printer. Next thing I know was the Chief saying "Hey, Paul, the Darkstar is crashing!" and I looked up just in time to see it impact the airfield and create quite the fireball. Granted, I was also there when the YF-22 crashed, although I just saw the smoke column and didn't really watch it crash (I was working my part time job as a bagger at the Commissary then). In all, 8 aircraft crashed in the six years I was there. Yikes!

  • @colinfarrelly2513
    @colinfarrelly2513 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Outstanding thank you.

  • @karlrmaier
    @karlrmaier 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    The "Shicaca" (White Bat) RQ-180, Love it.
    A flying "router" with encrypted directional communications, creating a battlefield network that consolidates the sensors, commands, and scope, of space, air, ground, and submarine assets, as well as providing "bleeding edge passive sensors" working with space based active sensors. A radar system doesn't have to use co-located emitters and receivers. JSTARS, AWACS, and other vulnerable/non-stealthy command and recon aircraft have been getting phased out, while nothing has been "visibly" replacing them, this is why.
    "Drones rule the Battlefield"
    Modern forces fight by remote control from undisclosed locations.
    Manned systems are the caveman clubs of the Industrial Age, compared to the "Mature Precision Strike Regime" of the Information Age.

  • @jajssblue
    @jajssblue 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    I love those nicknames! Shikaka!

  • @Wolfhound223
    @Wolfhound223 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    TBH that report just blew me away, WOW.

  • @thezirons
    @thezirons 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Another great video!!

  • @RubyFox_YT
    @RubyFox_YT 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    About a month ago, I was speaking with an Air Force friend and he hinted that yes, the RQ-180 is infact not just a spy plane. I can neither confirm nor deny that it possibly carries Switchblades.

    • @Cyrribrae
      @Cyrribrae 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      What's the point of loading up an extreme altitude ISR vehicle with short range kamikaze drones??? Can they even deploy at altitude? That.. seems strange to me.. Why not just use that space for more fuel? Maybe I'm missing something.

    • @HubertofLiege
      @HubertofLiege 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@Cyrribraejust in case you want to blow something up on the way to work, or coming home. Traffic sucks.

  • @Justanotherconsumer
    @Justanotherconsumer 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    That they’re releasing this now means that the RQ-190 is already on the drawing board.

  • @jacksavage7808
    @jacksavage7808 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great as always.

  • @eugenenunn4900
    @eugenenunn4900 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    This was hard to follow due to the amount of information provided. I hardly come across channels that do that to me. Love your videos man!!!

  • @tinytim71301
    @tinytim71301 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    "Shaking the Windows" 🤘💪👍

  • @FightingTalk
    @FightingTalk 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    The RQ-180 is from the same program as B-21. Its most likely the unmanned version, able to enter service sooner as no pilot tests were required. Due to the human interface in the B-21, a certain amount public familiarity is required.

  • @GS-el8ll
    @GS-el8ll 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    great upload

  • @philjayhan6120
    @philjayhan6120 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great presentation on the RQ 180 Alex, as usual. A great idea for you to cover is one of the final frontiers of defense technology. Energy shields that envelop ships, planes, tanks, whatever. Whoever secretly develops these first will be masters of every domain there is. How about it Alex?

  • @Bluelightning23
    @Bluelightning23 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Years ago I was driving down the 395 through the Mojave desert, and I spotted a high-flying aircraft flying over Edwards like the Flying wing
    aircraft hat was shown.
    And looking at the picture I think it was the same one. Unfortunately, the picture I took was not focused very well

  • @MikeOxlong-
    @MikeOxlong- 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    Sucks that Iran brought down its predecessor (the RQ-170) and stole all its technology (it looks basically identical to this bird - only smaller)…

    • @connorjones7202
      @connorjones7202 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Damn you and your facts Mike Oxlong

  • @RobertBrusOfficial
    @RobertBrusOfficial 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    That was awesome - well done

  • @Dv087
    @Dv087 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Glad to see a new video. There was another press release today about the f-15 eagle 2 mach3 speeds again. I know you did a video about it not capable of that.

  • @mrackerm5879
    @mrackerm5879 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Iran makes lots of claims but those "gentlemen" had no idea the RQ-170 even existed until some goat herder found one covered with bird shit when he discovered it had soft-landed in one of the areas where he herded goats. You cannot hijack something you have no idea is there.

    • @user-fd6rr4iz9m
      @user-fd6rr4iz9m 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Iran are pushing the patience of the USA.

  • @sshumkaer
    @sshumkaer 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great stuff makes you excited for the future

  • @patrickmusgrove2876
    @patrickmusgrove2876 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great video. I love it

  • @jloiben12
    @jloiben12 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +140

    Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It is why America doesn’t have free healthcare and its allies thank god every day for it

    • @john-lenin
      @john-lenin 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +34

      Same Libtard clueslesness. Shutting down every defense contractor will not add a single provider to our healthcare system. The problem with healthcare is Insurance and pharmaceutical and medical equipment companies.

    • @Cody38Super
      @Cody38Super 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +30

      Let me explain something to you stoopid....free doesn't equal better....ours is the most expensive for a reason....because it's the best. It's where doctors from around the world come to learn because we have the HIGHEST STANDARD of Healthcare of any nation. When your government runs your health care you instantly get less than half of your money's worth because you have to pay the government to manage it and they are going to insist on buying the cheapest the can and pay the least for the doctors and nurses....free Healthcare is not free dumbest, you pay for it in higher taxes and shittier care.

    • @deerfootnz
      @deerfootnz 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +24

      ​@@Cody38Superthen why does the US have boast some of the worst metrics in the developed world? By some measures the US performs more poorly than most of Africa - look up the infant and maternal mortality rates and weep. America's healthcare is incomprehensibly crap. What a shame you can't afford decent public health unlike the Philippines, or Morocco.

    • @iamscoutstfu
      @iamscoutstfu 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +17

      Free?
      Oh, you mean I pay for your healthcare.
      I hear Canada has that, maybe try living there.

    • @MostlyPennyCat
      @MostlyPennyCat 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +20

      ​@@Cody38Super
      Actually several European healthcare systems are cheaper and better than the USA's.
      Well, except for treating gunshot wounds, you're the best in the world for that.

  • @Onatyrade
    @Onatyrade 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Oh I did not know you were a right winger too bad LOSER TRUMP is your cause I am not. Unsubscribe.

    • @JSFGuy
      @JSFGuy 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      No need to advertise, get lost. How's that child sniffing dementia Joe working out for you?

    • @ShadowOppsRC
      @ShadowOppsRC 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      Who cares and get a life! We dont need people like you here anyways!

    • @RogierYou
      @RogierYou 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      @@JSFGuygreat, did you watch the full state of the union yourself?

    • @JSFGuy
      @JSFGuy 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@RogierYou Yes, why?

    • @cat192
      @cat192 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      This isn't an airport. No need to announce your departure.

  • @johnbruder6476
    @johnbruder6476 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Awesome Video!! Keep it Up! And new helo drones? Or info on current?

  • @Captain_Bad_Bill
    @Captain_Bad_Bill 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Everyone talks about the internet as a world wide web, but looks and sounds as an orbital to ground net, covering every aspect of the battle!

  • @danfreeman9079
    @danfreeman9079 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Excellent videos

  • @MauricioBarragan
    @MauricioBarragan 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Eye opening.

  • @zlm001
    @zlm001 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thanks.

  • @MauricioBarragan
    @MauricioBarragan 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    BlackBird Diplomacy is the hardest shit I've heard in a long time. Hitting the Opposition with a sonic boom just to let them know we're there.

    • @ryansmith8759
      @ryansmith8759 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Using like 1000 gallons of fuel per minute? Maybe a meeting instead?

  • @ZacharyNewman-kb8eq
    @ZacharyNewman-kb8eq 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Hi Alex, Can you please make a video about the roles of f16,f15,f35,f22 on the battle field. under what circumstances do you use which?

  • @michaelmatthews4726
    @michaelmatthews4726 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    love what you do

  • @jtb3797
    @jtb3797 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I still don't understand how we're only at 350k subs when you produce the BEST aviation content on YT.

  • @ricklynghaug4117
    @ricklynghaug4117 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Impeccable writing per usual. Dope s#!t bro!

  • @HappyTinfoilCat
    @HappyTinfoilCat 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    This gets me all bricked up

  • @lantinian
    @lantinian 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I was sure Alex will also mention the original battle space close air surveillance stealth platform prototype from Northrop...the tacit blue.
    Awesome video :)
    Thank hou

  • @thomaspinney4020
    @thomaspinney4020 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Nice work. I would also like to see more on unmanned tankers.

    • @craigmoran893
      @craigmoran893 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Yeah unmanned tankers makes perfect sense

  • @NeemoHose-ir5ht
    @NeemoHose-ir5ht 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    “Guano!!” Lol. Finkle, Einhorn, Finkle, Einhorn…”. If you know, you know 😂

  • @NigelDeForrest-Pearce-cv6ek
    @NigelDeForrest-Pearce-cv6ek 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Brilliant!!!!!

  • @mugbeer9440
    @mugbeer9440 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    What an amazing surprise, yet another W vid.

  • @steadysamurai1172
    @steadysamurai1172 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Outstanding

  • @roberthevern6169
    @roberthevern6169 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    As said by other military aviation channels, 'fool around, and find out!!'
    Pretty well sums up American military aviation capabilities!!

    • @peekaboopeekaboo1165
      @peekaboopeekaboo1165 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Russia and China aren't scared or afraid of it .
      U$ is the one attacking. While RU and CN are the ones guarding their front yards/back yards .

    • @mr.beanladen1469
      @mr.beanladen1469 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@peekaboopeekaboo1165of course, because they lack the capability to dare attack US even altogether