Spy Plane...Sentinel the "Beast of Kandahar! Stealth aircraft remotely controlled...

Is this the "Beast of Kandahar"?

The wingspan, length, engine type - in fact, all relevant details about the RQ-170 Sentinel - are unknown (beyond the ultra top-secret hangars where they are stored somewhere between the Tonopah Test Range and Creech Air Force Base in Nevada).

But, one thing is certain.

The remotely-piloted spy plane (nick-named the "Beast of Kandahar") is cut-out for its job as a stealth fighter jet!

The RQ-170 Sentinel - as it is officially known in military circles - is the latest hi-tec aircraft developed for reconnaissance surveillance to support combat forces.

Unlike the propeller-drive unmanned aerial systems installed in the Predator and Reaper, the Sentinel has a jet-powered platform, according to insiders.

Andy Bourland - Chief spokesperson for the Air Force Press - was pretty mum when it came to disclosing details about the aircraft and downright reticent about releasing a publicity still or two ( for obvious reasons).

The information that was offered up was pretty dry in the final analysis.

"The RQ-170 Sentinel, a low observable UAS, was built by Lockheed Martin's Advanced Development Programs. The fielding of the RQ-170 aligns with Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates' request for increased intelligence surveillance and intellligence support to the Combatant Commanders and Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz's vision for an increased reliance on unmanned aircraft," a statement from the office of Mr. Bourland summed up.

According to informed sources, the "Beast" has been flying classified  missions over Afghanistan, and has only been photographed twice.

A trade journal (Aviation Week & Space Technology) has described the novel spy plane as a "tailless flying wing" with a wingspan similar to that of the rear propeller-driven MQ-9 Reaper (wingspan 66 feet).

Sources close to the upper echelon have whispered that the Sentinel appears to be powered by a single jet engine so that it can fly at high altitudes and monitor large areas.

The "Beast" is likened to a scaled-down version of the B-52 Spirit Bomber which can effectively evade radar detection.

John Pike (a director @  http://www.globalsecurity.org/) speculated that it would make sense for the Sentinel to use persistent surveillance like the predator does out-of-sight and high above its targets below at wider ranges.

Due to its unique capabilities - ultimately - the Sentinel may be facilitated as a regional surveilance system to cover terrorists activities across a far-reaching terrrain which may include countries such as Yemen, Somalia, Iran, and Pakistan.

A "polecat" or elusive RQ-170 Seninel?

http://www.julianayrs.com

John McCain...Top Gun! Not. Cocky Pilot? Uh-huh...

Cocky young Maverick flew by seat of pants...

As the reports filter in about John McCain's days as a fighter pilot, the reminisces start to sound a lot like a page or two out of the feature film script - "Top Gun" - which starred Cruise and Kilmer a couple of years back.

There's a lot of talk that Johnny was a real cocky son-of-a-bit**.

Like the character Maverick - in the film - McCain was inclined to push the envelope, fly by the seat of his pants, and take uncalculated risks.

Oftentimes, just like Cruise's character, McCain went down in flames.

And, that is the subject of some debate, now.


In his biography, McCain would prefer to look back - not in anger - but through rose-colored glasses.

But, frankly - to some - his recall of events is shameless.

Or, is he just having a Senior moment?

For instance, the presidential candidate's recollection of events surrounding one hairy airplane mishap, was way out-of-whack.

"The engine quit while I was practising landings," he noted matter-of-fact, on the written parchment.

At least O.J. Simpson was clever enough to try to determine if there were any witnesses to the events before he opened his mouth in defense when his latest fiasco with the law went down in Las Vegas.

In this instant case - an investigator who witnessed the events - is quite adamant there wasn't any inexplicable engine failure as alleged by the wrinkly old dude.

In fact, investigators came to the conclusion that McCain wasn't on the ball.

In the opinion of the experts, the accident occurred because the power setting on the instrument panel was too low to maintain level flight in a turn.

Well, every Maverick is capable of running some interference, now and then.

But three times, you say?

According to informed sources in the Navy, that number is accurate.

In each instance, investigative teams faulted McCain for error in judgment.

It has taken wild horses to drag the facts out of him, though.

In one stinky incident - silly clowning around while operating expensive Government equipment - resulted in a near calamity.

Should American voters give him a crack at Air Force 1?

In a Skyraider aircraft in Southern Spain, for instance, he flew into electrical wires which caused a black-out.

A miscalculation caused a T-2 trainer jet in Virginia to crash, in another incident he downplayed, too.

By Naval standards - the three nail-biting incidents were cause for concern - according to a former air force pilot, Michael L. Barr.

Mr. Barr is an Internationally-known aviation safety expert who teaches at the USC Aviation and Safety Security Program today with 137 combat missions in Vietnam under his belt.

In the case of any pilot - three troubling mishaps - would definitely signal sloppy flying skills and a lack of sound judgement, for sure.

In large part - the problem stemmed from a tendency on the part of McCain - to be overconfident, cocky, and a fearless risk-taker at the Government's expense.

In the final analysis, the ballsy flyer over-estimated his limited skills.

Yup, a swinging di** got in the way.

But, high connections in the right places, prevented McCain from getting the axe.

Because McCain fell under a long line of Admirals in a family way, inestimable privileges were bestowed upon the handsome young buck.

The facts support the contention, today.

On occasion, for instance, McCain savored dalliances at the Captain's table, while fellow officers languished in cramped quarters below deck.

In another glorious Kodak moment, McCain was handed the prestigious task of maneuvering a commemorative landing on the deck of the Enterprise.


Fortunately, he didn't have to bail out last minute.

According to Maurice Rishel - who commanded McCain's VA-64 Squadron in early 1961 when it was deployed in the Mediterranean - the unit nick-named the kid "Ace McCain".

Although he was a spoiled brat (born with a silver spoon in his mouth) he did his job, Rishel confessed without any qualms.

Just like John Kerry before him, foes are getting out the hatchets to bury one in McCain's back, after-the-fact.

Uh-huh.

Where Eagles dare, heroes fall.

For McCain, though, ignorance is bliss.

He'll ride through it all unscathed, I just betcha.

After all, that soldier boys's got missiles up his a**.

Just like in the movies, John always got the girl..