A classified US stealth drone was recently spotted at Larissa Air Base in central Greece, according to an analysis of photographs by The War Zone (TWZ), a leading publication specializing in military technology and national security.
TWZ reports that the flying object appears to be a Northrop Grumman RQ-180—a highly classified, high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) stealth drone. The aircraft, characterized by its “flying wing” design and dark radar-absorbent coating, reportedly made an unscheduled landing at the 110th Combat Wing’s facility due to a mechanical breakdown.
This aircraft seen over Larissa, Greece is not a B-2 like the local Greek news reported or an RQ-170, but is in fact best imagery ever published of the RQ-180, an undisclosed low observable drone used by the USAF. Location suggests use in the Iran conflict https://t.co/Pa9whNlQSV pic.twitter.com/UsDxy9Tc4n
— IntelWalrus (@IntelWalrus) March 18, 2026
While the US Air Force has never officially acknowledged the RQ-180, the aircraft spotted in Larissa matches the rumored “Great White Bat” profile. It features a massive wingspan and a planform similar to the B-21 Raider, though optimized for strategic reconnaissance rather than strike missions.
Local Greek media (onlarissa.gr) first reported the “mysterious aircraft,” which spectators initially mistook for a B-2 bomber. Military sources later suggested the drone was forced to land following a technical malfunction and remains at the base awaiting specialized repairs.
Larissa Air Base is a hub for US operations
Larissa Air Base is a known hub for US operations, previously hosting MQ-9 Reapers. The presence of an RQ-180 in Greece suggests the US is utilizing high-end stealth assets to monitor high-threat environments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, likely bypassing advanced integrated air defense systems that would detect conventional drones.
This sighting provides some of the clearest evidence to date that the RQ-180 is not just a prototype but an active operational asset. Its “daytime” appearance—likely forced by the emergency—offers a rare look at the landing gear and scale of a platform designed to remain “invisible” in the shadows of the stratosphere. The Pentagon and US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) have yet to comment on the drone’s presence, TWZ says.
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