B-21 Raider spotted over Philippines?

Sorsogon 101

Unknown aircraft in Sorsogon?

On the morning of September 2 exactly 6:15am, what seemed like a stealth bomber was captured
using a Fujifilm Xt2 +50-200mm camera at the skies of Santa Magdalena, Sorsogon by our contributor, Michael Fugnit.

According to a facebook post by “Sorsogon 101”, a contributor called Michael Fugnit reportedly spotted an unknown aircraft over Sorsogon in the early morning of September 2, 2021 at 6.15am.

He took the photo of the unknown aircraft with a Fujifilm Xt2 camera + 50-200mm lense in the skies of Santa Magdalena, Sorsogon, Philippines.

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Michael Fugnit

RQ 180 Drone ?????????????? ✈️️
Sept2
6:15am
Location: Sta Magdalena Sorsogon
Fujifilm Philippines
Fujifilmxt2 +50-200mm

According to Michael, he make an educated guess that it could be a Northrop Grumman RQ-180.

However, no one really know exactly how the RQ-180 looks like other than concept renderings. Its existence has never been confirmed by the US Air Force.

A photograph was taken over Edwards Air Force in November 2020, which have the same silhouette as the photo taken over Sorsogon, and was widely guessed to be the RQ-180 spy drone.

The unknown aircraft flying over Edwards Air Force base in November 2020. Photo: Instagram@SundownerStudios / Popularmechanics.com

In the comment section of Sorsogon 101, many commenters are guessing that it might be the Chinese Xian H-20. But the shape does not match the photo, not to mention it isn’t likely that a Chinese bomber would be able to travel this far away from any PLAAF base.

An illustration of the Xian H-20 stealth bomber. Which it’s existence is also a mystery.

In our own initial educated guess, it could actually be the Northrop Grumman B-21. We made a video a few month back detailing the production plans (which we probably just contradicted our own guess) to replace the B-1 and B-2 bombers, would likely burst it’s initial order for 100 planes.

The First Two B 21 Bombers Are About to Take to the Skies

B-21 will replace the B-1 and B-2 bombers and will likely burst its initial order for 100 planes to more than 140 B-21 Raiders.#b21 #b21raider #unitedstates …

A very realistic rendering of the B-21 Raider sitting next to the B-2 Spirit. Photo: Bennie Davis III / USAF / Mike Tsukamoto / Airforcemag.com
The photo posted on Sorsogon 101, as well as on Michael Fugnit’s facebook page.

Other noticeable trait of the unknown aircraft is that it has 2 contrails very close together. Meaning that the aircraft definitely have 2 engines, which the B-21 satisfy. For the RQ-180, its a bit more complicated

This is a rather popular and viral rendering of the RQ-180. Notice the protruding triangular nose. Photo: topwar.ru
Another rendering of the same RQ-180 “concept” with the protruding nose. Photo: uasvision.com
Another rendering of RQ-180, however this one’s design is similar to the photo and have almost the exact geometrical shape / silhouette as the B-21. This concept however have only one engine. Photo: theaviationgeekclub.com
Another illustration of RQ-180 which features a much longer wing but with the same geometrical shape as the previous one. This one also differs as it features twin engines. Photo: thedrive.com

Given the total lack of knowledge of how a RQ-180 looks like, its extremely difficult to assert that the aircraft in the photo is indeed a RQ-180.

Of course, we can similarly say the same of B-21 for being an “aircraft still under testing and not yet in production”. THATS if we choose to believe the official narrative put out by the US Air Force.

Or could the unknown aircraft just be a “known” operational drone: the RQ-170 Sentinel?

Reportedly, the photo of the secretive RQ-170 Sentinel, taking off from an unknown location. Feels like its taken in Afghanistan, given the walling in the background. Photo: globalmilitaryreview.blogspot.com
Frontal shot of the “RQ-170” at the “Afghan air base”.
The same walling used here in the photo taken at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan. Photo: wired.com
A way clearer photo of the “RQ-170”, likely to be taken at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada. Photo: Marco Dirkx / airspacemag.com
The reversed engineered RQ-170 model which Iran claimed to have successful reverse-engineered, on display in Tehran. Photo: airspacemag.com / Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran
The Aviationist analysis does show that the Iranian captured drone could very well be the real RQ-170. Photo: theaviationist.com
Trying to see the top view of the RQ-170. It COULD also have the same silhouette as the unknown aircraft in the photo. This is a 3D rendering by AviaKinetic posted on turbosquid.com. Link: https://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/rq-170-sentinel-max/682946

So in a way, the RQ-170 could very well be the unknown aircraft in question. The only issue is that, the RQ-170 seemed to be single engine (which likely should have only 1 contrail?) and the wings seemed to be much thinner in the photo than the rendering.

Although I must add, the wings can look really thin at the “right” angle. Photo: AviaKinetic@turbosquid.com

The lack of information and sighting of RQ-180, the operational status of RQ-170, the “still in testing” B-21…. it’s really anybody’s guess what that aircraft actually is.

What do you think?

Share your opinion in the comments below. What do you think this unknown aircraft actually is.