The aircraft has been in operation for 23 years, since 2001. The USAF plans to retire the type in 2027. The highly classified Northrop Grumman RQ-180 will replace it.

According to a report from The Telegraph, the RQ-180 stealth drone could potentially add up to $100 billion to the $200 billion B-21 bomber contract that Northrop Grumman secured in 2015.