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

[@SandboxxApp]

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]

Too true! 😅

[@williamcrislerjr-wb2gm]

When un acknoledged becomes main stream 2100

[@robertc.9503]

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

[@raw7279]

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

[@Jmanfuego]

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

[@_dev_null_]

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

[@kurtwinslow2670]

Nothing like keeping communism in check.

[@smoke5985]

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

[@hylimm]

u mean promoting war??

[@kurtwinslow2670]

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

[@_dev_null_]

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

[@conroc01]

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

[@nx1379]

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

[@thudthud5423]

A plane designed in the 1950s!

[@theAverageJoe25]

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

[@BrooksMoses]

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]

Agreed. I still get a chub for that bird

[@Angryspec]

RQ-180 Shikaka is now my head canon.

[@ExarchGaming]

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

[@needtau4138]

CHICAGO!!!

[@OriginalThisAndThat]

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

[@mutantryeff]

"White Bat"? Should be called COVID-180

[@MFcitrous]

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

[@rodinvillarosa2924]

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

[@amazin7006]

I didn't even think about this, good point

[@rodinvillarosa2924]

The Wedgetail?​@@Static161A

[@Hebdomad7]

The AWACS as a concept of centralised command is outdated.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

[@trentvlak]

Good point.

[@dgthe3]

Came in to say just that. AWACS that need to be 100+ miles behind the front line to be reasonably safe mean that there is an awful lot they won't be seeing on the other side. But if you can operate something like this 100 or 200 miles into the enemy's backfield, it's kinda unfair. Which is exactly the way the USAF wants it.

[@johnmcdonald-6196]

This channel is so well researched and presented.

[@paulzx10]

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

[@MrSeanman30]

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]

I agree, does outstanding job

[@bholdr----0]

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

[@mrackerm5879]

Alex, KZbin 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.

[@LeeD-c6z]

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

[@acoustic5738]

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]

@@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]

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

[@gayprepperz6862]

Amen!!!

[@johndc2998]

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]

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

[@Hebdomad7]

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

[@CF_Sapper]

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]

Negative, that is the job for the BACN birds.

[@CherryColaWizard]

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

[@Evergleam]

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

[@johnshackford]

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]

..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]

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]

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

[@Toddnesbitt]

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.

[@RavenRunFoxRoam]

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]

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

[@paladro]

@@sshumkaer when you put it like that..

[@sshumkaer]

@@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]

Alex is simply, the best in the business.

[@nedkelly9688]

@@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.

[@charlesprater9128]

Thanks!

[@MannyManatee-ux9cp]

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]

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

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

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

[@Cyrribrae]

​@@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]

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.

[@raby760]

YOU'RE ALEX HOLLINGS!

[@Wolfhound223]

And THAT was AIR POWAH :D

[@BoschhammerActual]

*FOX 1 FOX 1*

[@THE-X-Force]

*_I'M ALEX HOLLINGS!_*

[@Osprey5435]

@@THE-X-Force HES ALEX HOLLINGS

[@THE-X-Force]

@@Osprey5435 *_YOU'RE ALEX HOLLINGS!_*

[@steveshoemaker6347]

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

[@jimbo92107]

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

[@ponz-]

shikaka has to be the best name yet😂.

[@tmikkelsen8066]

Shikaka!

[@CoffeeAndPaul]

​@@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]

@@CoffeeAndPaul oh the days. 🤭

[@TylerYuhas]

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

[@THE-X-Force]

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

[@MrSeanman30]

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]

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

[@MrSeanman30]

@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

[@mrbaab5932]

Yes, but the self destruct code needs to be unhackable and unjamable.

[@joshuajones1319]

...and technicians won't touch it for maintenance

[@timsfinetunes]

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

[@lou1958]

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

[@A1FAHx]

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]

And suddenly china moved up a notch...

[@marc1829]

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

[@revvyhevvy]

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

[@howardmaryon]

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.

[@ZacharyNewman-kb8eq]

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?

[@TheMuddleHeadedAnalyst]

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]

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.)

[@eugenenunn4900]

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!!!

[@lyfandeth]

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]

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

[@Dv087]

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.

[@LeeJDo]

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]

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

[@jeffbenton6183]

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

[@peekaboopeekaboo1165]

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

[@CptJistuce]

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

[@philsalvatore3902]

@@jeffbenton6183 Who says the bad guys satellites don't have sensors on them that can detect a laser pointed at the sky? The enemy isn't dumb.

[@DenisWilsonDWPIA]

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

[@icare7151]

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]

We hope 😂

[@icare7151]

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

[@philsalvatore3902]

The B-21 Raider is said to be "optionally manned".

[@FloridaManMatty]

@@icare7151Bullshit. Hoss, if you really did work inside, every last bit of your outgoing everything is monitored, including random comments on THIS channel (which is also monitored very closely). Any tip of what you “know” would be a violation of every NDA you would have signed to get your butt in any chair inside the hole. You WOULD be caught and you would be, at the very least, dishonorably discharged and likely with some time in a federal detention facility for good measure. So no, you don’t know because you ain’t anywhere close to who you wish to imply you are. Dork

[@supercheeboos3673]

7:13 did someone fall on the rappel down?

[@Kevan808]

Hell yeah it's the Friday video!

[@msgtpauldfreed]

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!

[@billholemo2518]

Great job Alex!! 😊

[@edmartin5654]

I'm a Navy guy and I love this channel!

[@scottsauritch3216]

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...

[@LeeD-c6z]

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

[@cadennorris960]

@@LeeD-c6zJust because you know it’s there doesn’t mean you can attempt an intercept.

[@LeeD-c6z]

true@@cadennorris960

[@ethancarey3050]

I cant believe you only have 392k subs. Your content is outstanding.

[@LeeD-c6z]

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]

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

[@LeeD-c6z]

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]

they prob sold it to china

[@philsalvatore3902]

@@Integr8d China already was showing off something not so different from the RQ-170 at airshows and parades.

[@Egilhelmson]

There are other sources of money to pay for a captured drone than just China (or Russia).

[@Wolfhound223]

TBH that report just blew me away, WOW.

[@WesODonnellX]

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

[@bertg.6056]

A terrific presentation, Alex. Thanks !

[@michaelpetersen9656]

Excellent work as always.

[@JSFGuy]

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

[@bobdavis931]

Alex, it would be so cool to see you do a program on the USAF weather program.... from the AWS days through Global Weather Central at SAC... and on what they are doing today.... I'm a former DMSP troop.... weather is critical to every mission and the history is really interesting... keep up the good work

[@swiftycortex]

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

[@jtb3797]

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

[@williamwchuang]

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

[@Youtubeuser1aa]

😎

[@kathrynck]

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]

@@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]

@@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]

@@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.

[@NPCRR]

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

[@radical137]

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]

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).

[@LeeD-c6z]

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]

@@LeeD-c6z 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?

[@LeeD-c6z]

Yep I agree @@Cyrribrae

[@radical137]

@@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.

[@bobsmoot8454]

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

[@leemarkley8496]

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

[@kolbevilla]

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.

[@philsalvatore3902]

@@kolbevillaIt is more a matter of lack of satellite bandwidth. US UAV operations have soaked up huge amounts of it, so much so there is very little left to use.

[@philjayhan6120]

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?

[@RedSinter]

Pretty extensive and pretty insane.

[@x-raf7652]

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?

[@michaelt1775]

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]

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]

Lmao 😂

[@thomasblankinship98]

​@@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]

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.

[@gnarlycarlson9600]

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

[@RubyFox_YT]

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]

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]

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

[@amca68]

Great video as always, Alex.

[@karlrmaier]

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.

[@FloridaManMatty]

13:00 - The RQ-180 lineage actually goes back much further than J-UCAS. The RQ-180 was the descendant of a cold-war era program called “QUARTZ/AARS” that was originally tasked with searching for and fixing Soviet mobile ICBM launchers. It was canceled/shelved because at the time (mid 1980s) it would have been the most advanced flying machine ever produced and the DOD decided that it wasn’t worth risking losing hardware that advanced to the Soviets either via SAMS or intercept or even a malfunction and crash. The RQ-180 came about as quickly as it DID, because Northrop had been sitting on QUARTZ for 25+ years. And the B-21 subsequently came to be as quickly as IT did, because it is based on the original B-2 THAP and QUARTZ designs. The B-2 and -180 have simply allowed NG to watch various systems mature into what was then married to some F-35 architecture and viola!

[@MattttG3]

23:45 *I would hope it can be massively agile too and pull G’s with maneuvers so worse case scenario it can last second defense*

[@FightingTalk]

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.

[@Captain_Bad_Bill]

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!

[@jajssblue]

I love those nicknames! Shikaka!

[@jasonariola6363]

Thank you Alex for bringing the in-depth reporting on all of the known and unknown in the quiver combat capabilities. Of the United States 🇺🇸.

[@MikeOxlong-]

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]

Damn you and your facts Mike Oxlong

[@davidlambert1102]

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

[@Justanotherconsumer]

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

[@RagsHSC-7]

Awesome Alex 👊😎 Loved it!🕊️❤️🕊️🤗

[@tinytim71301]

"Shaking the Windows" 🤘💪👍

[@VaxRabbit]

One of the best openings and tag lines out there.

[@Bluelightning23]

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

[@philsalvatore3902]

Tyler Rogoway describes pretty much what the US Navy already has and is busy building on with their Cooperative Engagement Capability. The F-35 is a node in a data mesh already, able to provide real time ISR to other assets in the fleet. For those so inclined you might want to read up on how the Swedes organized their air defenses during the Cold War. They declassified much in the 2000s and they were far ahead of NATO or the US in terms of sensor fusion, situational awareness, encrypted data link capabilities and cooperative engagement tactics and hardware. Ground radar stations could illuminate targets for formations of fighters conducting air to air missile engagements, data linking targets to individual missiles so the launch aircraft didn't need to illuminate and reveal their presence. In a formation a single aircraft could illuminate targets for multiple aircraft in the formation, data linking targets to the other aircraft so the Soviets would only see one radar and think they had only one aircraft to deal with instead of a whole formation. One can only imagine where the Swedes are today.

[@mrackerm5879]

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.

[@LeeD-c6z]

Iran are pushing the patience of the USA.

[@cheddar2648]

On Google Maps aerial view, the exact diamond-like silhouette shown at 11:21 was actually on display as a radar cross section test article at one of the Palm Beach County test facilities some years ago, until the aerial map was changed or refreshed.

[@jloiben12]

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]

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]

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]

​@@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]

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

[@MostlyPennyCat]

​@@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.

[@jajssblue]

Alex, how do these platforms securely talk to each other in theater? I ask because I wonder if these stealthy platforms use beam forming as a way to reduce detectable noise. Of course, they use encryption to protect the data, but I'm wonder more from an emissions standpoint. I wonder if some of the recent laser tech might be another technological route.

[@Onatyrade]

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

[@JSFGuy]

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

[@ShadowOppsRC]

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

[@RogierYou]

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

[@JSFGuy]

@@RogierYou Yes, why?

[@cat192]

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

[@revvyhevvy]

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

[@peekaboopeekaboo1165]

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]

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

[@napalmholocaust9093]

I've heard the military choppers that go into "whisper mode" at the flick of a switch at least 10 times. Are those the stealth ones? They were coming out of Gibson A.F.B. in N.M. and assisting police and whatnot. Flew when a third ghetto bird was needed. I was close enough to base that they were still climbing in altitude and noticeable, but they would level out at like 2,500, fly about a half a mile loud and level then go completely silent. Sometimes the sound transition was right overhead. Might have been the no tail rotor variety. The tail left behind at that compound def had a rotor.

[@isaacjamestea9652]

Can you make a video with more detail on how iran managed to bring down that RQ 170? Still a mystery to this day. Thank you

[@daxdadog]

This is the elephant in the room, for me. All the technological superiority in the world comes to nothing, if the enemy can just take it from you, and reverse engineer it.

[@JustinsSoapbox]

14:28 - doesn't "all aspect stealth" mean a low radar signature from all angles? Aviators use the term "aspect" to describe the angle from which you're viewing the aircraft. I thought a low return from various forms of radar had its own (different) term that is eluding me RN...

[@DrgnRebrn]

I've been waiting for this video.

[@bushcraft4life964]

Yet another great show! Ty for for efforts

[@sberry80]

Another grat day started with "I'M ALEX HOLLINGS, AND THIS IS AIR POWER". ALWAYS MAKES THE MORNING BETTER. ANOTHER GREAT VIDEO BROTHER. LOVE THE INFORMATION, AND THAT YOU DO THIS FOR THE LOVE OF THE AIR, COUNTRY AND TECHNOLOGY, WITHOUT TRYING TO FORCE FEED AN AGENDA.

[@MauricioBarragan]

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]

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

[@paulwood6729]

America's airborne capabilities are entering the realm of science fiction and is about to take another generational leap. Mind-blowing stuff!

[@derkatzenfuerst6077]

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

[@TheOneTrueChris]

If the RQ-180 is a "cranked kite" design, then the photos @15:04 aren't the RQ-180, as both photos show an aircraft with a smooth, undifferentiated shape to the leading edge. Either the photos are of a *different* classified aircraft, or the assumption of a cranked kite design for the RQ-180 are incorrect.

[@Davethreshold]

Alex, you did it. You just BLEW MY MIND. That is not meant to be a term from the 70's. I think it just short-circuited!

[@thomaspinney4020]

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

[@craigmoran893]

Yeah unmanned tankers makes perfect sense

[@amitparmar2593]

I read recently that the first-round contracts were close to being awarded for the MQ-28A Ghost Bat, from 5 bidders to 2/3 - that would be a cool video to understand that story (if there is anything to report, that is)

[@rdapigleo]

Great new drone, “Shikaka!” I hope it has an in built self destruct if it ever fails out of communication. Don’t want our adversaries getting it.

[@generalgarchomp333]

By GOD this plane sounds absolutely beautiful.

[@dugiejoness5197]

I like this civic mechanism of defense against media manipulation and lies in the groundnews initiative. This bodes well for the future

[@martinelzen5127]

hey Alex, I don't mind you slagging off Ace ventura 2, but AV1 still is one of my most fave movies! ;-)

[@BBBrasil]

That sounds a rather sensible analysis. Data fusion is a must in all aspects of technology, we can gather so much but have so little understanding on what is going on.