The mysterious RQ-170 unmanned air vehicle participated in a Large Force Test Event at Nellis Air Force Base from Aug. 4-6.
United States Air Force photograph, released to Joseph Trevithick via FOIA / Public domain
The objectives of the exercise was the Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD), low-observable ingress, and 4th-5th generation electronic attack interoperability.
The F-35 was to provide enhanced SEAD support to the B-2 and RQ-170 within an operationally realistic environment.
The E/A-18G from the Navy’s VX-9 and Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center also took part in the LFTE to determine how 4th generation electronic attack capabilities can increase 5th generation freedom of maneuver in contested environments and vice versa.
The service says this event allow it to explore unique integration of tactics, techniques, and procedures that have never been tested together in select capabilities.