Is This Airframe I Spotted at Palmdale Something New?

I was killing time looking at the Skunkworks and Palmdale with GE, and found this. I am guessing it's a drone of some type. Is this something new, or has it been spotted and old news now:


Located at 34°36'48.37"N, 118° 6'45.41"W

a reply to: FosterVS

That one was spotted before. I think it was eventually decided that it was an RQ-170 put in storage.

a reply to: FosterVS

Seems to be in a strange place if it is a drone..
Be hard to get it out of the spot it is in would it no?
I see one opening out of that yard and it would be tight..
I guess there could be another opening no?

ETA: Ah it is just in storage, makes sense

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: FosterVS

That one was spotted before. I think it was eventually decided that it was an RQ-170 put in storage.

Found an older thread, looks like exactly the same airframe in a different spot, covered with a tarp.
Old mockup maybe.

a reply to: FosterVS

Either an old mockup, or an early test article that couldn't be brought up to standard with the rest of the fleet.

a reply to: Zaphod58

may have been used for the air tunnel or radar testing

The drone (or mockup) is sitting just east of Building 636, the Non-Metallic Center. Perhaps it was being used for testing the manufacture and application of composite materials or RAM.

a reply to: blkcwbyhat

I'm thinking either a full sized RCS model, or possibly an iron bird test article.

ETA: Or as was just pointed out, possibly a RAM test article. There are some interesting new RAM coatings that I'm starting to hear about that they may have tested out on a mockup.

I believe it is something else. Sorry for the generic answer.