RT-1

The RT‑1 was a pioneering unmanned research platform developed by Northrop in the early 1970s as part of the United States Air Force’s quest for low‑observable, high‑altitude reconnaissance. Originating from the experimental X‑24 lift‑body program, the RT‑1 first flew on 12 March 1974 at Edwards Air Force Base, where its tailless delta configuration demonstrated the feasibility of blended‑wing technology for stealth applications. Built primarily of graphite‑reinforced epoxy and featuring a radar‑absorbent coating, the aircraft could cruise at Mach 0.9 while maintaining a radar cross‑section smaller than a typical automobile. Its integrated avionics suite incorporated an early digital flight‑control computer, autonomous navigation via inertial measurement units, and a modular payload bay that accommodated electro‑optic, signals‑intelligence, and atmospheric‑research instruments. Although only three prototypes were produced, the RT‑1’s data directly influenced the design of later Northrop aircraft such as the B‑2 Spirit and the RQ‑4 Global Hawk. The program also established critical standards for low‑observable materials and fly‑by‑wire autonomy, cementing the RT‑1’s place as a seminal bridge between experimental lift‑body research and modern stealth UAVs. Today, aviation historians cite the RT‑1 as a turning point that demonstrated how stealth, autonomy, and lightweight composites could be integrated into operational platforms.