Rare RQ-170 stealth drone spotted supporting US strikes on Venezuela

A rare U.S. Air Force RQ-170 “Sentinel” stealth surveillance drone was spotted Saturday morning returning to the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in eastern Puerto Rico, following U.S. military strikes carried out overnight on targets in Venezuela.

Video circulating on social media shows the flying plane approaching and landing at the Naval Air Station, which is now used for limited US military operations.

The RQ-170 Sentinel is a low-observability, unmanned aerial vehicle operated by the United States Air Force and typically deployed for high-priority intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The platform is rarely seen in public and confirmed sightings outside testing environments are uncommon.

The return of the RQ-170 followed US attacks carried out overnight on Venezuelan military and security infrastructure. Although U.S. officials have not publicly disclosed the specific assets involved in the operation, the stealth drone’s presence in the region has drawn attention due to its limited fleet size and specialized mission. No official confirmation has been issued that the aircraft is directly linked to the attacks.

Roosevelt Roads Naval Station, located on the east coast of Puerto Rico, has been used by U.S. forces as a forward operating location for maritime patrols, logistics support, and aircraft recovery. Its location provides access to the Caribbean Basin and northern South America, making it suitable for regional surveillance and support missions.

The RQ-170 Sentinel is designed to collect high-resolution imagery and electronic intelligence in contested or sensitive airspace. Operated by the US Air Force, the drone features a flying wing design optimized for reduced radar visibility and long endurance flights. Details about the sensors, range and operational ceiling remain secret. The aircraft entered service in the mid-2000s and was previously associated with US operations in the Middle East and Asia.

Previous public disclosures about the RQ-170 were limited, largely due to the platform’s classified role. One of the few confirmed international incidents involving the drone occurred in 2011, when an RQ-170 was captured intact in Iran. Since then, U.S. officials have placed strict controls on information related to its deployment and basis.