Message posted by Joerg (Webmaster) on June 24, 2020 at 10:11:49 PST:
After publishing Gabes recent photos of Beale AFB there has been some speculation about the RQ-180 and it being housed at Beale. After re-reading the attached Aviation Week article here are my thoughts: The recently (2019) re-activated 427th Reconnaissance Squadron at Beale is likely the unit flying the RQ-180. That unit co-hosted the opening ceremony of the Common Mission Control Center at Beale is 2019. The RQ-180 is rumored to be housed at Edwards South Base. It is quite possible that the folks at Beale, from the new control center, fly the RQ-180 remotely out of Edwards South Base. This is done with Reapers etc even halfway across the world. The newly secured hangar at the north end of the base probably houses one RQ-180 or a pre-production model for local testing and/or hands on training. The hangar clearly is too small for even two RQ-180 if they have the dimensions commonly assumed, let alone for an operational unit. The hangar may or may not be where the new command center is located.
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