The Beast of Kandahar, Redux

Almost seven months ago, we reprinted a picture of a stealthy UAV, then operating from an allied airbase in Afghanistan. Nicknamed the "Beast of Kandahar," the drone bore an uncanny resemblance to the "Polecat" UAV, an aircraft developed by Lockheed's famous Skunk Works Division.

While the Polecat program was supposedly terminated in 2006 (after the crash of a prototype), the Kandahar sighting suggested that the project was alive and well. The UAV's presence in Afghanistan also raised questions about its possible mission. As we noted at the time, there is little need for a stealthy, high-endurance drone in Afghanistan or Iraq, where enemy air defenses are virtually non-existent.

On the other hand, a Polecat-type platform would be extremely useful in monitoring nuclear sites and missile programs in neighboring Iran and Pakistan. Both the Pentagon and Lockheed have remained mum about the UAV, and interest in the Kandahar sighting eventually subsided.

Until now, that is. A blog linked to a left-wing French publication has a better picture of "The Beast," offering hints about the aircraft and its capabilities. The report was subsequently picked up by FlightGlobal and Aviation Week, renewing speculation about the UAV and its aerial pedigree. Aviation Week's Bill Sweetman believes the drone is definitely a Skunk Works project, possibly tracing its roots to the Desert Prowler program, which began before 9-11.

Is the Beast of Kandahar a derivative of the Desert Prowler? (Secret Defense photo)

As Mr. Sweetman explains:

The photo confirms that the previous artists' impressions were largely accurate. The jet has long, slender outer wings, spanning as much as 80 feet, mated to a stouter, deeper centerbody with a pointed nose. One important detail: the overwing fairings are not B-2-like inlets, but cover some kind of equipment - satcoms on one side, perhaps, and a sensor on the other.

The most likely provenance of the airframe is Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works, and it is very likely to be associated with the Desert Prowler program - unearthed by historian Peter Merlin and "patchologist" Trevor Paglen. More background here, but it should be noted that Dave Fulghum reported in June 2001 on a plan to acquire 12-24 high altitude, stealthy UAVs. The effort had gathered pace after a US EP-3 SIGINT aircraft was forced to land in China in April, and went further underground after 9/11.

It's believed that the first of a small batch of aircraft flew in late 2005 and were operational in Afghanistan in 2007 (where this photo was probably taken.)

Despite superficial similarity the Desert Prowler is not an immediate relative of the Polecat technology demonstrator tested in 2006. The latter incorporated advanced aerodynamic and structural features for a future long-range, very high-altitude UAV, while Desert Prowler is more conservative.

The date and location of the latest photo have not been revealed, but most experts believe it was taken during a deployment to Afghanistan. If Bill Sweetman's sources are correct, the "Prowler"--for lack of a better designation--has been operating in the region for more than two years, and with frequent flights over high-value targets in Afghanistan--and elsewhere.

The Beast of Kandahar

The so-called "Beast of Kandahar," a mysterious UAV that was recently photographed in the skies over Afghanistan. The aircraft bears a striking resemblance to the failed "Polecat" UAV, developed several years ago by Lockheed's Skunk Works (photo courtesy of Air & Cosmos, via Aviation Week).

Aviation circles have been buzzing over a mysterious UAV, recently photographed near the allied airfield at Kandahar, Afghanistan.

A French magazine, Air & Cosmos, was apparently the first to publish to picture of the aircraft earlier this year. The photo quality isn't particularly good, but even untrained eyes can recognize that the UAV isn't a Predator, Reaper or Global Hawk, types often seen over Afghanistan and Iraq.

So what is the mystery aircraft? The folks at Aviation Week have noted a similarity between the "Beast of Kandahar" and Lockheed's "Polecat" demonstrator, which was (supposedly) cancelled after a crash in 2006. But the sighting in Kandahar suggests that Polecat--or elements of the design--are living on, in a stealthy UAV that is either operational, or undergoing flight testing in a combat theater.

Of course, that raises another question. Exactly what is the UAV's mission in Afghanistan? The Taliban and Al Qaida don't have radars or an integrated air defense system (IADS), so there's no real requirement for a stealthy drone in that campaign. On the other hand, a very low-observable, high endurance UAV would be ideally-suited for keeping tabs on nuclear facilities in neighboring Iran or Pakistan.

The picture below is that of a Polecat during a test flight. No one is saying that the UAV sighted at Kandahar is the same one built by the Skunk Works earlier this decade. But the two aircraft do appear to share a common lineage. If nothing else, as Aviation Week observes, the drones came from the same litter.

Polecat UAV (Aviation Week photo)