A secretive stealth drone has been spotted flying over Greece, according to reports. Identified as the RQ-180, the drone is reportedly used for high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) surveillance and reconnaissance operations.
The drone was spotted flying in daylight over Larissa. The UAV is believed to be developed by a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman, Scaled Composites. Reports revealed that the drone is capable of penetrating heavily defended airspace.
Drone integrated with advanced stealth technologies
Unlike older surveillance drones, the RQ-180 is believed to incorporate advanced stealth technologies, including a flying-wing design similar to the B-2 Spirit. This possibly helps it to evade modern radar systems and sophisticated air defense networks.
Although official details remain scarce due to its classified nature, reports suggest that it carries advanced sensors for signals intelligence, electronic surveillance, and high-resolution imaging, enabling it to gather critical data in contested regions.
The aircraft is thought to have entered operational service in the mid-2010s and plays an important role in maintaining the United States’ intelligence-gathering capabilities in areas where traditional drones, such as the RQ-4 Global Hawk, may be vulnerable to detection.
The very large and very stealthy flying wing-type drone was first spotted in the skies around Larissa Air Base, also known as Larissa National Airport, in the city of the same name in Greece, back on March 18. Local spotter Efthymios Siakaras shared two new video clips offering especially good views of the uncrewed aircraft in flight, one on Sunday and another on Monday, reported The War Zone.
Larissa does have two interesting hangars, far away from other built-up areas of the airfield, which may have been constructed to support clandestine drone operations. Notably, the U.S. MQ-9 Reapers based there are instead known to operate from hangars to the north of the airfield (as also seen on satellite imagery), rather than these two. Based on historical satellite imagery, the hangars were constructed within the last few years, reported The Aviationist.
In terms of operations, the RQ-180 is widely believed to fly at very high altitudes—possibly above 60,000 feet—and remain airborne for extended periods, potentially exceeding a full day depending on mission requirements. Its stealth characteristics likely extend beyond shape to include radar-absorbing materials and careful management of heat and electronic emissions, making it harder to detect across multiple sensing methods. Although exact deployment locations are not officially confirmed, it is often associated with missions over strategically sensitive regions where stealth and persistence are critical, according to reports.
One of the defining aspects of the RQ-180 is its presumed role in signals intelligence (SIGINT) and electronic warfare support. It is believed to carry sophisticated sensor suites capable of intercepting communications, tracking radar emissions, and creating a detailed electronic picture of enemy defenses.