A closer look at the clip of a drone claimed to be Israel’s secretive stealth RA-01 drone.
A low-resolution video, likely recorded from a considerable distance with a smartphone, was posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Oct. 28, 2024. The account that first shared the clip claims it was filmed that same day in Lebanon.
Since its posting, the footage and screenshots showing a mysterious drone have been circulating widely on social media, fueling speculation about a possible sighting of the Israeli RA-01 drone, whose existence was recently disclosed.
In this analysis, we’ll examine the video in detail, exploring whether the drone’s appearance matches reported features of the RA-01, assessing any unique visual elements, and attempting to verify whether the footage appears authentic or possibly digitally altered. We’ll also compare it to other stealth drones, like the RQ-180, to understand any design similarities.
تصاویری از پهپاد تجسسی پنهانکار ارتش اسرائیل بر فراز لبنان؛
در اسناد افشاء شده ایالات متحده آمریکا به یک پهپاد تجسسی اسرائیلی با نام رمز RA-01 اشاره شده بود pic.twitter.com/Iobs8bpHEG
— 🚩شـــــبــــــح پــارســی (@Shabahe_Persia) October 28, 2024
Someone seems to have caught Israel’s secretive RA-01 drone platform off the coast of Lebanon…this is not a U.S. RQ180 so it’s likely this is the RA-01 drone that’s based at Israel’s Ramon Air Base (shown below). It’s also very likely that these drones did take part in the ops… https://t.co/fijHw9CxXu pic.twitter.com/2mLsKFMwbj
— VIKTOR 📡 (@ViktorNaumenk99) October 28, 2024
The video has a duration of approximately 15 seconds and a high frame rate of about 60 FPS. The frames show an unmanned aircraft with a low, steady flight path. The aircraft appears to have a design reminiscent of stealth UAVs like the RQ-180, characterized by a smooth, elongated fuselage and a large-span flying wing with straight trailing edge.
Some key observations
The drone is flying unusually low, especially for a stealth aircraft designed to evade detection. Such a low altitude would increase its visibility, making it easier for ground observers to capture footage, which is quite atypical for stealth drones that typically operate at high altitudes to stay undetected. Additionally, a stealth UAV would be more suited to covert long-range missions deep in hostile airspace rather than flights over Lebanon, where the Israeli Air Force has long demonstrated the ability to operate with impunity, without needing Low Observable (LO) assets. Combined with its flight in broad daylight, these factors raise questions about whether the drone is truly the RA-01, as well as the authenticity of the setting—or even the possibility of a deliberate display.
The aircraft bears some resemblance to the RQ-180. However, there are some differences in contour details, particularly around the wings and fuselage taper, which could either indicate a new model or point toward visual inaccuracies if the footage is altered. The drone should also be much smaller than the RQ-180 (which has been spotted flying at high altitude in the past).
It’s almost impossible to determine whether the video was digitally altered. The lighting and shadows appear uniform, which can be difficult to replicate naturally, particularly when flying in varied daylight, but other than that and the lack of some subtle irregularities due to atmospheric conditions that you can find in some real footage, there’s little that suggests potential CGI.
Moreover, it remains unconfirmed whether this footage was indeed recorded on October 28, 2024, or off Lebanon’s coast, as claimed. Without geolocation or additional confirmation, the scene’s background could easily be replicated or altered.
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That being said, while the aircraft’s design bears some resemblance to known stealth UAVs, the low-altitude flight in broad daylight, along with its appearance just days after reports about the UAV’s existence surfaced, casts doubt on the video’s legitimacy. With no official confirmation of an RA-01 drone, speculation remains high, leaving the role and origin of this mysterious aircraft shrouded in secrecy.
Someone suggested the video might depict an Orbiter 5 drone but the design of the Orbiter UAV family appears to be different. In the end, it’s nearly impossible to determine whether it is an RA-01, another unknown type, or something else whose shape appears distorted in the low-resolution clip.
Background on the RA-01
Rumors about the existence of a classified Israeli drone, supposedly called the RA-01, began to circulate last week following the alleged leak of confidential U.S. documents from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). These documents, now widely shared across social media, claim that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) may operate an advanced stealth UAV fleet capable of long-range missions. The RA-01, if it exists, is likely designed for both reconnaissance and potential combat operations, enhancing Israel’s strategic reach in the region, particularly with the capability of gathering intelligence or conducting operations in distant locations like Iran.
Details about the RA-01 remain elusive, and there’s no confirmation of its design or operational capabilities from official sources. Observers suggest that Israel’s robust UAV industry could indeed produce such a drone, as the country has a longstanding history of developing advanced, radar-evading UAVs. According to a report by The War Zone, the RA-01’s designation hints that it could be a multi-purpose platform with both surveillance and combat roles, potentially advancing Israel’s aerial capabilities alongside more traditional defense systems.
Some reports indicate that the RA-01 may be housed at Israel’s Ramon Air Base in the Negev Desert, where satellite images reportedly reveal structures possibly dedicated to unique aircraft storage and deployment. While the leaked documents hint at the RA-01’s possible operational use, including a purportedly close connection to Israel’s preparations for missile defense scenarios, tangible evidence about this drone remains scarce. Given Israel’s focus on maintaining advanced deterrents, it’s plausible that the RA-01 or a similar platform may already be in limited operational use, possibly in missions over the Middle East.
Now that the authenticity of these documents has been confirmed, there’s a critical detail that demands attention:
“The Israeli Air Force (IAF) continued covert UAV operations from 15 through 16 October. According to imagery analysis, Israel’s covert UAVs enable long-range,… https://t.co/YcSNaHf2Pw pic.twitter.com/ycgSFHOuzg
— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 20, 2024
There are also chances the secretive stealth drone took part in the recent strike on Iran.
At the same time, it’s worth reminding that information on the RA-01’s presence or capabilities could well be part of a deliberate disinformation strategy. Even the U.S. documents, some experts suggest, might contain inaccuracies or strategic exaggerations.
