AAI RQ-7
| AAI RQ-7 Shadow | |
|---|---|
 Graphic of an RQ-7B "Shadow 200" |
|
| Type: | Tactical reconnaissance drone |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
1991 |
| Commissioning: |
2003 |
| Production time: |
In series production since 1999 |
| Number of pieces: |
322 (planned) |
The AAI RQ-7 Shadow is a tactical unmanned aerial vehicle that has been developed by the American manufacturer AAI Corporation for day and night military reconnaissance and has been in production since 1999.
construction
The reconnaissance system consists of an unmanned aerial vehicle, a modular payload, a ground station and launch, retrieval and communication equipment. The system also includes supplies and spare parts for a 72-hour mission. Two HMMWVs each for equipment and personnel are used for transport.
A reconnaissance unit consists of three drones and a spare device, three base stations, equipment for take-off and landing and vehicles for transport. The complete system can be relocated in a C-130 transport aircraft . The light aircraft is made of composite material , has a wingspan of 3.9 m and a length of 3.4 m. The engine consists of a commercially available, petrol-driven rotary engine with an output of 28 kW (38 hp). The payload includes one optoelectronic and one thermographic camera , flight control and communication equipment for transmitting images. The navigation takes place via the satellite-supported global positioning system . The maximum range of the drone is limited by the possible loss of radio contact with the ground station and is 125 km.
Technical specifications
- Primary area of application: Tactical ground reconnaissance
- Manufacturer: AAI Corporation
- Propulsion: UAV Engines AR741
- Length: 3.4 m
- Height: 1 m
- Weight: 154 kg (fueled)
- Span: 3.9 m
- Speed: 130 to 200 km / h
- Range: 50 km
- Maximum usage time: 4 hours
- Service ceiling: 4,600 m
- Tank capacity: 37 liters of premium gasoline
- Payload: 27 kg
