KUCHING: A viral photo showing a mysterious flying object over a longhouse in Saratok has stirred online buzz, but authorities have confirmed it was merely a remote-controlled (RC) aircraft, not a real Northrop B-2 Spirit stealth bomber as speculated by netizens.
The photo, shared by Reddit user Anubiroz on the r/Sarawak subreddit, showed a dark, bat-shaped silhouette in the sky.
The user claimed it was taken by a friend near his longhouse in the afternoon and questioned whether the object was “a kite or a stealth bomber”.
“Taken by a friend near his longhouse at Saratok in the afternoon… Zoom in… does it look like a kite or a stealth bomber. He said it made a swish sound… Hmmmm. Looks kinda sus for a kite or a drone. Any ideas?” the caption read.
The post quickly gained traction, with several users suggesting the object resembled a B-2 Spirit, a radar-evading strategic bomber used by the United States Air Force.
However, a military source confirmed to Sarawak Tribune that the object was not a real aircraft, but a remote-controlled model.
“This one is a remote-controlled aircraft.
“B-2 is not designed to fly at low altitudes over civilian areas; it’s built to operate high up in the skies where it cannot be spotted,” the source said.
The B-2 Spirit is a long-range heavy bomber developed by Northrop Grumman for the US military.
Known for its flying-wing design and stealth capabilities, the aircraft typically operates at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet (over 15,000 metres) to avoid radar detection.
Such aircraft cannot and would not be flown at low altitudes over populated areas, as doing so would compromise its stealth profile and mission purpose.
Its use is tightly monitored and rarely seen outside of conflict zones or official exercises, making an unsanctioned low-level flyover in rural Sarawak virtually impossible.
With this confirmation, speculation surrounding the sighting has been put to rest as the photo most likely captured a hobbyist’s remote-controlled aircraft.
