The RQ-170 Sentinel, one of the most mysterious aircraft of the Air Force, has been recently spotted hovering the skies of Southern California, sporting new equipment. The photos were snapped by photographer Matt Hartman while visiting the Vandenberg Air Force Base to cover a satellite launch of the NROL-79.

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The images reveal that the new RQ-170 Sentinel now features a large air data sensor probe and a strange black, and white paneling that points to an "active electronically scanned array surveillance (AESA) and tracking radar system." It also has an air inlet located on the right-rear of the aircraft's underside, sensor turret on the outboard of the plane, and a synthetic aperture radar that protrudes down the drone's centerline, The Drive reported.

The drone's leading edge is also seen embedded with visible air-data sensors, and the outer edges of the wings appear to be equipped with speed-brake like units.

The RQ-170 Sentinel was discreetly developed by Lockheed Martin and was dubbed as "The Beast of Kandahar" in 2009 when it was snapped in Afghanistan's Kandahar Airfield. The aircraft has been used to carry out "national collection missions" and collect secret intelligence.

In 2011, a Sentinel flew over Osama Bin Laden's compound when the Navy SEALs killed him. Iran also reported that an RQ-170 Sentinel crashed on its territory in the same year. This was confirmed by the Air Force who even asked for the return of the debris, but Iran refused to. The RQ-170 also flew to North Korea in 2009, likely to observe Pyongyang's ballistic missile program.

Vandenberg AFB, which lies along the coastline of Southern California, is the USAFs premier ballistic missile test and rocket launch facility. According to Popular Mechanics, the base does not have a much secure flyover airspace. And the closest place where long endurance plane can stretch its legs is the Pt. Mugu testing range, where the US Navy interestingly launched four Trident II D-5 submarine last month.