Programs for the creation of unmanned aerial systems in the interests of the US armed forces. Heavy tactical maritime UAVs

Colonel A. Chekunov

In the United States, work is underway aimed at creating unmanned aviation systems ship based. One of the most ambitious is the UCLASS (Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike) program, which involves the development of a carrier-based unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of conducting all-weather aerial reconnaissance, hitting time-critical targets at a distance of more than 1,100 km from an aircraft carrier, and also being used for conducting electronic warfare and solving other problems.

The activity of the Americans in this area is largely due to the fact that the use of manned carrier-based aircraft in initial period conflict with countries with high military potential, before gaining air supremacy, will be limited due to the unacceptable level of losses from enemy air defense systems.

In accordance with the requirements developed by the Ministry of the Navy, the maximum flight duration of unmanned vehicles will be at least 12 hours. Achieving this characteristic, which is not limited by the physiological capabilities of the crew, including through the use of in-flight refueling, will reduce the required number of forces for organizing continuous reconnaissance and air patrolling, reduce the intensity of the use of takeoff and landing equipment, as well as the workload of the engineering and technical staff.

According to forecast conditions combat use and planned tasks, a promising device should have low visibility in the radar and infrared wavelengths. At the same time, its mass and dimensions should be large enough for reasons of ensuring the stability of the UAV during takeoff and landing in conditions of characteristic high turbulence. air currents above the flight deck of an aircraft carrier.

It is planned to include a complex of optoelectronic and radar reconnaissance equipment, as well as data transmission equipment via secure radio communication channels, into the onboard equipment of the UAV.

Kh-47V

MQ-8C

RQ-21A

During the preliminary stages of R&D, various concepts for the construction and use of an unmanned system are being worked out, and tactical and technical requirements for its components are being specified. In order to ensure the competitiveness of research and expand the circle of specialists participating in them, the US Department of the Navy has entered into contracts for work under this program with several leading national developers of unmanned aerial vehicles.

The experimental combat UAVs Kh-47V and Phantom Ray of the Northrop-Grumman and Boeing companies, respectively, are considered the most promising and meet the requirements.

In turn, the General Atomics firm (developer of the Predator and Reaper multi-purpose vehicles) proposed the Avenger, a long-duration UAV created on its own initiative.

Lockheed-Martin is developing its own project of a multi-purpose system based on the Sea Host apparatus. This machine is supposedly a modification of the RQ-170 Sentinel long-range UAV adapted for ship-based use, which was used by the Americans for reconnaissance in the Asian region.

All devices participating in the program are equipped with turbojet engines, in the design of which solutions are implemented to reduce visibility in the radar and infrared ranges.

It should be noted that a number of key technologies that determine the feasibility of this concept have already been developed and have been demonstrated in practice within the framework of the UCAS-D program, which involved two experimental vehicles of the X-47B type.

Work at the preliminary stages of creating a new multi-purpose unmanned system UCLASS is carried out largely due to own funds developer firms. It is planned to allocate funds from the Pentagon budget for their further financing.

Along with the special place occupies the program for the creation of shipborne helicopter-type UAVs. Such machines combine the flexibility of use and the minimum requirements for basing conditions. The development of a multi-purpose unmanned system based on the MQ-8B Firescout UAV was entrusted to Northrop-Grumman.

system aerial reconnaissance Based on the Firescout vehicles, it is supposed to be placed on ships of various classes and used independently or in conjunction with carrier-based helicopters as part of supporting the actions of individual ships, shipborne strike groups and marine infantry units. When performing the tasks most often solved by carrier-based aviation for reconnaissance of surface (ground) targets, MQ-8B unmanned aerial vehicles will have a flight duration 2-4 times longer compared to manned helicopters, while consuming 3-5 times less aviation fuel.

The basis of the reconnaissance on-board radio-electronic equipment of the device is the optoelectronic station (OES) "Bright Star-2" with television and thermal imaging cameras and a laser rangefinder-target designator. To ensure reconnaissance in adverse weather conditions, the possibility of equipping the machine with a small-sized radar station is being considered.

The UAV is controlled by the commands of the operator of the ship's control center via radio channels at a line-of-sight range, as well as autonomously according to the program entered into the on-board computer. The automatic control system of the machine with electromechanical actuators in all channels uses data from the inertial navigation system integrated with the Navstar CRNS.

The American company Sierra Nevada has developed a unified system UCARS (UAV Common Automatic Recovery System), which provides automatic landing of UAVs on a limited size area, including on the deck of a moving ship. One of the main elements of this system is a boarding terminal with a tracking parabolic radar antenna and a video camera. After the completion of the flight mission, the aircraft automatically or manually arrives in the designated air zone within 4.5 km from the landing site, where the radio beacon installed on board the UAV is activated by the antenna radiation. Beacon signals are used to calculate relative coordinates and speed UCARS, which are transmitted to the control center and used to perform automatic or automated landing maneuvers. An image from a digital video camera allows the operator to obtain more accurate information about the spatial position of the device at the final stage of landing.

Work is underway to equip the MQ-8B UAV with guided weapons, which will make it possible to use them to solve the problems of hitting identified surface or ground targets.

Due to their small dimensions, three such devices can be placed on the area usually occupied by one helicopter. Such a number of vehicles makes it possible to organize their rotation to ensure a continuous presence in a given area or (with simultaneous use) to significantly expand the reconnaissance zone.

UCARS was quite successfully used to provide intelligence support for the coalition group in Afghanistan. The use of this system was provided by civilian specialists from the Northrop-Grumman company, and the setting of tasks, monitoring their implementation and analysis of the information received were provided by the military.

At the same time, based on the analysis of the results of the pilot operation of the Firescout unmanned system, the command of the US Navy decided to further increase its capabilities. It was considered expedient to increase the duration of the MQ-8B patrol when used in conditions of elevated outdoor temperatures. Thanks to a significant increase in the mass of the payload of the vehicles, their use for the transfer of military cargo will be ensured. To this end, the US Department of the Navy signed a contract with Northrop-Grumman to develop the MQ-8C UAV, built on the basis of the Bell 407 helicopter.

In the course of R&D, components and software for automatic control systems, data transmission, and other airborne and ground equipment, created to modify the MQ-8B, were used.

The airframe and power plant of the helicopter have been modified to ensure its operation in maritime conditions. The vacated space of the cockpit, cargo-passenger compartment can be used to accommodate target equipment, additional fuel tanks and various cargoes. The latter can also be located on an external sling (maximum weight 1,200 kg).

In the future, it is planned to purchase up to 28 devices of this type. In the event of a successful progress in the program for creating a new modification, a decision may be made to adjust the number of purchased MQ-8B machines.

The development of a new aerial reconnaissance system based on a tactical UAV is at the final stage. It is believed that this technique most fully meets the requirements for the conduct of military operations by subunits and units of the Marine Corps in the "battalion-regiment" link, as well as surface ships of various classes in the near sea zone.

The lead developer of the new system is the Boeing corporation with the RQ-21A Integrator UAV project. Its design is based on technological solutions implemented in the Sea Scan unmanned system (developed by Insitu, which became part of the Boeing company). This aircraft was used in Iraq in the interests of the US Marine Corps and demonstrated its high efficiency, in particular, in ensuring the protection of basing areas in the theater.

The main reconnaissance equipment of the RQ-21A "Integrator" UAV is a gyro-stabilized optoelectronic station consisting of two infrared (medium and far wavelengths) and one digital daytime television camera, as well as a laser rangefinder and target designator. As an additional payload placed in the fuselage compartment or on the wing nodes of the external suspension, miniature radar and radio relay equipment can also be installed.

The transmission of the received video information to the control point (ground or ship) for further processing and analysis is carried out at a line-of-sight distance using digital radio channel equipment.

In accordance with the requirements of the customer, it is possible to operate the system from sites of limited size, including from the decks of surface ships or protected positions, in the presence of wind speeds up to 55 km/h. The launch of the UAV equipped with a piston engine (power of about 8 hp) is carried out by a pneumatic catapult.

For landing, the Sky Hook device is used, which is a rod with a cable about 15 m long. The cable is captured by hooks built into the tips of the wing leading edge. All stages of approach and landing maneuvering are performed fully automatically using the differential mode of the satellite navigation system.

In accordance with the contract ($43.7 million), Boeing developed and manufactured two prototype systems for conducting military tests, which began in 2012. Achieving the initial combat readiness of units equipped with new technology, expected in current year. In total, it is planned to purchase 56 unmanned systems, each of which will include up to three aircraft, ground station controls, takeoff and landing equipment, a set of spare parts and tools.

In general, work on the creation of unmanned aerial vehicles is one of the highest priority areas for increasing the combat capabilities of the US armed forces, which makes it possible to achieve significant advantages in solving various support and combat missions.

The RQ-21 Blackjack unmanned aerial vehicle, also known as the Integrator, was developed by American company Insitu Incorporated, which is this moment part of the Boeing Corporation. The machine is a further development of the "Scan Eagle" apparatus. Between machines there are external differences in plumage, this entailed an increase in the size of the aircraft.

The RQ-21 system consists of:

Five aircraft.

Two ground control posts.

A set of equipment for starting and servicing machines.

For the first time, the RQ-21 aircraft took off in the summer of 2012. During the tests in the winter of 2013, a launch was made from the deck of the ship. These tests were carried out in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico on board landing ship Mesa Verde. Before that, the UAV was tested at a military base in California.

At the end of the tests, the machines were transferred for operation to the US unmanned aerial vehicle squadron. The second batch of these machines was delivered in 2014. With the use of the RQ-21, it is possible to better control the battlefield and effectively build tactics for ground forces.

The RQ-21 UAV offers new military capabilities that no other unmanned vehicle can provide at the moment. The vehicle can be used as support for tactical groups.

The first contract for the supply of RQ-21 aircraft was signed in the summer of 2010, with cash injections of $ 43 million, and the customer received two such machines. Further development The STUAS / Tier II program provides for the creation of another 56 machines from 2013, which will cost about $ 450 million.

RQ-21 device equipment

Optical system of electronic type.

IR camera.

IR target.

Rangefinder laser type.

The device allows for high-quality reconnaissance and support of naval and land units of the army. Due to the open architecture of the machine, a fairly quick reconfiguration of equipment is possible, for which 10 kilograms are allotted. As standard, the machine has night and day cameras, as well as a communication kit and automatic systems recognition. Start unmanned vehicle RQ-21 is carried out using a catapult.

RQ-21 Blackjack. Characteristics:

Since the end of the last decade, the American company Boeing Insitu has been working on the RQ-21 Blackjack unmanned aerial vehicle project. This device was developed by order of the Marine Corps and naval forces USA. The main purpose of the machine is reconnaissance, patrolling in specified areas and the detection of various objects. By now everything design work full-scale construction of new drones has been completed and is underway.

The RQ-21 UAV was developed as part of the STUAS program (Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System - “Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System”). The aim of this program was creating a lung UAV for operation in the ILC and the Navy. Such a purpose affected the requirements for a promising car. So, it was necessary to make a comparative light car capable of patrolling for a long time. In addition, it had to have the smallest possible dimensions for storage on ships. The complex was planned to include a rail launcher for takeoff. Landing was required to be carried out using a system that made it possible to do without a large platform.

In addition to Boeing Insitu, several other companies have participated in the STUAS program. Raytheon introduced the Killer Bee UAV (now known as the Northrop Grumman Bat), AAI proposed the Aerodyne project, and General Dynamics (USA) and Elbit Systems (Israel) entered the program with the Storm project. The development of preliminary designs and their comparison continued until mid-2010. In June 2010, the customer made his choice. The Pentagon considered the Boeing Insitu RQ-21A Integrator the best of the proposed projects (the name of the project was on early stages). To complete the project, the developer was allocated 43.7 million dollars.

The basis for the RQ-21A project was the previous development of Boeing Insitu - the ScanEagle UAV. The new drone "inherited" a number of units and technical solutions. However, the specifics of the requirements of the Marine Corps and the Navy forced the original project to be noticeably reworked. So, all this led to a radical change. appearance and device layout.

From the point of view of aerodynamics, the RQ-21 UAV is a two-beam high-wing aircraft with a pusher propeller. The fuselage and wing of the Integrator / Blackjack were made by processing the corresponding units of the ScanEagle UAV. New car It has an elongated fuselage of a characteristic shape, inside which an engine and various equipment are installed.

A high-lying wing with a span of 4.8 m is fixed in the middle part of the fuselage. The wing with a large aspect ratio has a slight sweep along the leading edge. At the junction of the wing and fuselage, the center section has a characteristic rounded influx. On the ends there are so-called. winglets. The used wing design is designed to provide the highest possible aerodynamic quality, which directly affects the flight data of the device, primarily the range and duration of the flight.

At the junctions of the center section and the wing consoles, two thin beams are attached to the plane, on which the U-shaped tail unit is fixed. The latter consists of two keels with rudders and a high stabilizer with an elevator. Taking into account the tail booms and plumage, the total length of the RQ-21 UAV is 2.5 m.

In the tail section of the fuselage there is an 8 hp piston engine, which uses aviation kerosene grades JP-5 and JP-8 as fuel. A pusher propeller is used as a propeller, located between the two tail booms. The engine used allows the drone to develop top speed up to 167 km/h. Cruising speed - 101 km / h. The ceiling reaches 6 km. The available fuel supply is sufficient for patrolling for 16 hours.

The RQ-21 Integrator/Blackjack UAV turned out to be quite light. The weight of the empty apparatus is 36 kg. The maximum takeoff weight with a payload of 17 kg is 61 kg. The low weight of the machine made it possible to get by with a relatively low-power engine.

A gyro-stabilized installation for surveillance equipment is provided in the forward part of the vehicle's fuselage. In the standard configuration, it contains an optoelectronic system with a video camera and a thermal imager, as well as a laser rangefinder and an identification system transponder. If necessary, the device can carry additional equipment. To power the electronic equipment, the drone is equipped with a 350 W generator.

To facilitate the design of the aircraft in the RQ-21 project, it was necessary to use special launch and landing devices borrowed from the ScanEagle project. The launch is proposed to be carried out using a rail launcher. The unit is mounted on a towed wheeled chassis. It has a set of equipment and a rail guide. The latter has a movable carriage with mounts for a drone. Before launching, it is necessary to raise the guide to the desired elevation angle and install the aircraft on the carriage. At the command of the operator, the carriage, driven by a pneumatic drive, accelerates the UAV to takeoff speed, after which it separates from it and rises into the air.

It was proposed to use the Skyhook system (“Skyhook”) as a landing gear. It is a towed platform with a lifting boom, on which there is a cable. To land the drone, you need to raise the boom and bring the cable to a vertical position. Further, the UAV, using a radio beacon, enters the landing course. The operator or automation must direct the device to the landing device in such a way as to grab the cable with a special hook installed on the wing. After that, the cable is stretched and dampens the horizontal speed of the UAV, after which it can be lowered to the ground or onto the deck of the ship.

As part of an unmanned aviation complex The Boeing Insitu RQ-21A Integrator/Blackjack includes five aircraft, two control panels on a wheeled chassis, and towed trailers with a launcher and a Skyhook system. The similar composition of the complex allows it to be used in ground forces, and in the ILC or the Navy based equipment on ships.

On July 28, 2012, Boeing Insitu specialists conducted the first test launch of a new drone. The device successfully separated from the launcher, completed the flight program and “sat down” using the Skyhook system. In the future, several more test flights were carried out. For example, in early September 2012, the flight duration exceeded one hour for the first time.

In early February 2013, the RQ-21A complex was delivered aboard the landing ship USS Mesa Verde (LPT-19). On February 10, the first launch from the deck took place. For several months, experts have been checking the operation of the unmanned complex when used in the interests of the fleet or the ILC.

On February 19, American specialists began flight tests of a new modification of the drone - the RQ-21A Block II. It differs from the basic version in some design features, as well as in the equipment used. To monitor the situation, this UAV received an updated NightEagle optoelectronic system, developed as part of the ScanEagle project. The upgraded optical-electronic system has better performance when working at night and in hot climates. Further tests of the RQ-21A and RQ-21A Block II drones were carried out in parallel.

In September 2013, the Integrator project received a new name - Blackjack. Soon, at the end of November, the development company received a contract worth 8.8 million dollars, the purpose of which was to prepare for mass production of new UAVs. The first serial RQ-21A complex was handed over to the Marine Corps in January 2014.

The USMC should become the main customer for the new unmanned aerial vehicles. Currently, Boeing Insitu is fulfilling the order of the Corps for the supply of 32 systems. Each of them includes five drones. Until 2017, the Marine Corps intends to purchase 100 sets of the Blackjack system. The value of the entire order is expected to remain at $560 million.

The US Navy has also expressed its desire to acquire new UAVs. There is an order for 25 complexes with five aircraft each.

Earlier it was reported that in 2014 the Royal Netherlands Army could receive its first RQ-21A Blackjack. This structure expressed its readiness to acquire five unmanned systems. Another six complexes could be purchased by an unnamed Middle Eastern country. There is no information about this contract.

In April 2014, the USMC began operating the RQ-21A UAV in Afghanistan. A complex of five drones, two control units and a set of other equipment was delivered to one of the bases. Blackjack devices were used for reconnaissance and detection of enemy targets. In September, it was reported that for 119 days of operation in Afghanistan, the total flight time of drones amounted to 1,000 hours. The RQ-21A complex has proven itself well, as a result of which its operation in Afghanistan continued.

According to the websites:
http://insitu.com/
http://naval-technology.com/
http://navaldrones.com/
http://arms-expo.ru/
http://globalsecurity.org/

UNMANNED AVIATION SYSTEM RQ-21A STUAS (SMALL TACTICAL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM)

13.02.2013
AMERICAN UAV INTEGRATOR LAUNCHED FROM SHIP FOR THE FIRST TIME

On February 10, the US Navy launched the RQ-21A reconnaissance drone, also known as the Integrator, from the deck of a ship for the first time. This was reported in a Navy press release dated February 12.
According to the Navy, the tests took place in the Gulf of Mexico on the deck of the amphibious dock ship Mesa Verde (LPD-19). Prior to this, the UAV was tested on land in California for three months. The device made its first flight in July 2012.
The RQ-21A UAV is being developed by Insitu (a subsidiary of Boeing). The device weighs 34 kilograms, reaches five meters in width and can carry up to 27 kilograms of payload. It develops speeds up to 100 kilometers per hour and can stay in the air for a day. The combat radius of the RQ-21A is up to 1000 kilometers. The drone is equipped with a laser rangefinder, as well as a set of electro-optical and infrared sensors.


Lenta.ru

14.02.2013

On February 10, a small tactical drone RQ-21A (Small Tactical Unmanned Air System - STUAS) performed its first takeoff from the deck of the UDC USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) of the San Antonio class, reports ASDNews on February 13. After the completion of the flight, the apparatus was taken aboard the landing craft.
The flight over the sea was preceded by three months of ground / flight tests at the Naval Air Station in China Lake (California).

19.02.2013
AMERICAN UAV RQ-21A INTEGRATOR LAUNCHED FROM SHIP FOR THE FIRST TIME

On Sunday, February 10, the US Navy launched the RQ-21A STUAS (Small Tactical Unmanned Air System) reconnaissance drone, also known as the Integrator, from the deck of a ship for the first time. This was reported in a Navy press release dated February 12.
According to the Navy, the tests took place in the Gulf of Mexico on the deck of the amphibious dock ship Mesa Verde (LPD-19). Prior to this, the UAV was tested on land in California for three months. The device made its first flight in July 2012. The RQ-21A UAV is being developed by Insitu (a subsidiary of Boeing). The device weighs 34 kilograms, reaches five meters in width and can carry up to 27 kilograms of payload. It develops speeds up to 100 kilometers per hour and can stay in the air for a day. The combat radius of the RQ-21A is up to 1000 kilometers.
The drone is equipped with a laser rangefinder, as well as a set of electro-optical and infrared sensors. As previously reported, the delivery of RQ-21A drones to the troops under the STUAS program is scheduled for 2017. In addition to the US Navy, RQ-21A drones are planned to be purchased for the Marine Corps. The Marines, as reported, will launch vehicles primarily on land.
Lenta

27.05.2013
RQ-21A US Navy SMALL TACTICAL UAV

The US Navy gave permission to start production of the lead batch of small tactical unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) STUAS (Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System) RQ-21A for the Navy and the Marine Corps (MCC) as part of stage C. This was reported by ARMS-TASS.
This means that the RQ-21A program, managed by the Naval and Marine Corps STUAS Program Office at Patuxent River, Md., is entering production and deployment.
The RQ-21A unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) included in the system will perform tactical reconnaissance, surveillance and target designation tasks at sea and on land in the interests of the two branches of the US armed forces.
WEAPONS OF RUSSIA

15.01.2014


The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force intends to equip ships with unmanned aerial vehicles, Jane's reports, citing military sources. American RQ-21A Blackjack unmanned aerial vehicles are considered as one of the main options. Japan will spend two million yen (19.2 thousand dollars) in 2014 to test and select a shipborne drone.
According to the Japanese military, the new drones will be used to monitor the movement of Chinese ships in the East China Sea. The final decision on equipping Japanese ships with drones has not yet been made. In the case of the purchase of the RQ-21A or other similar vehicles, the Navy will be the first Japanese view armed forces using unmanned aircrafts. Lenta.ru

31.01.2014


Marines and the US Navy have begun military testing of the promising RQ-21A Blackjack unmanned aerial vehicle, Defense News reports. Evaluation tests of the drone are currently being conducted at the 29th US Marine Corps Air and Ground Command Center in Palms, California. After their completion, a decision may be made to adopt the RQ-21A into service.
The drone will also be tested by the US Navy's 1st Air Test and Evaluation Squadron. The military will test it both on land and at sea, launching it from the deck of a ship. After these tests lasting several months, the RQ-21A will be handed over to the 2nd Marine Corps UAV Squadron, located at Cherry Point Air Force Base in North Carolina, for testing.

06.06.2014
The new unmanned aerial system (UAS) RQ-21A "Blackjack" (Blackjack), developed and manufactured by Insitu, a division of Boeing, has already been deployed in Afghanistan, in service with the US Marine Corps. This is stated in the message of the US Navy. RQ-21A with five unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are deployed almost four years after Insitu won a contract to supply the Pentagon with small tactical UAS in August 2010 and more than two years after the transfer of the first two systems to the ILC.

20.10.2015
The American company Logos Technologies received a contract from the US Naval Research and Development Department, under which it will develop a "super sensor" for the RQ-21 Blackjack reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle. According to Flightglobal, the deal amounted to $18.2 million.
Logos Technologies will be required to develop an electron-optical camera, a wide-angle camera, a shortwave infrared hyperspectral camera, and a high resolution with control sensor. These devices should be compactly placed in a small case. The mass of the finished "super sensor" should not exceed 17.8 kilograms.
All images obtained using the new system will be transmitted to a computing system on board the drone, capable of processing up to one gigabyte of data per second. "Supersensor" will allow the military to conduct a detailed marking of the area and detect hidden enemy fighters and improvised explosive devices on it.
As expected, the development of the device will be completed before the end of March 2020. The US Marine Corps will use the new intelligence system.
N+1

09.06.2017

The Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands signed a contract with the American company Insitu (a structural division of Boeing) for the supply of three systems with Integrator short-range unmanned aerial vehicles, the press service of Insitu reports.
“Deliveries should start in 2018. Integrator should replace the ScanEagle unmanned systems previously acquired by the Dutch Ministry of Defense, which have been used since 2012 to protect troops during hostilities, detect targets, and adjust fire.
Integrator is a multifunctional unmanned system with long-range vehicles. The device with a takeoff weight of about 60 kg can carry a payload with a total weight of up to 18 kg, including various reconnaissance, surveillance and target designation equipment.
Integrator (another name for the RQ-21A Blackjack system) has been mass-produced since 2016. They are used by the US Navy and Marine Corps. In addition, these devices are used by the armed forces of Canada.
RNS

UNMANNED AVIATION SYSTEM RQ-21A STUAS

The RQ-21A UAV is being developed by Insitu (a subsidiary of Boeing). The Integrator UAV, developed by Insitu, is integral part small tactical reconnaissance unmanned aerial system RQ-21A STUAS (Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System), which has been assigned the status of initial operational readiness.
The first flight lasted two hours, the aircraft was controlled by specialists from the 2nd and 3rd squadrons of unmanned aerial systems of the US Marine Corps, together with representatives of Insitu.
The RQ-21A has the ability to perform several missions in one flight; it has an electro-optical system, an infrared camera, an infrared designator and a laser rangefinder on board.
The device weighs 34 kilograms, reaches five meters in width and can carry up to 27 kilograms of payload. It develops speeds up to 100 kilometers per hour and can stay in the air for a day. The combat radius of the RQ-21A is up to 1000 kilometers. The drone is equipped with a laser rangefinder, as well as a set of electro-optical and infrared sensors.
As previously reported, the delivery of the RQ-21A to the US Navy is scheduled for 2017 as part of the STUAS (Small Tactical Unmanned Air System) program, which involves equipping troops with small tactical drones.
In addition to the US Navy, the US Marine Corps showed interest in the RQ-21A drones. The Marines, as reported, will launch vehicles primarily on land.

CHARACTERISTICS

Maximum takeoff weight 61.2 kg
Empty weight 34 kg
Length: 2.5m
Wingspan: 4.8 m
Engine: JP-5, JP-8
Range up to 1000 km
Flight duration 24 hours
Flight speed 100 km/h
Ceiling up to 6000 m
Payload weight 18 - 27 kg

Sources: www.insitu.com and others.

The remote-controlled aircraft RQ-21 Blackjack, also known as the Integrator, was created by the American company Insitu Incorporated, which is now part of the Boeing Corporation. The machine is the forthcoming development of the Scan Eagle apparatus. Between the cars there are external differences in plumage, this led to an increase in the size of the aircraft.

The totality of RQ-21 consists of:

Five aircraft.

Two ground control posts.

A set of equipment for servicing and starting cars.

For the first time, the RQ-21 aircraft took off in the summer of 2012. Throughout trials winter period 2013 was launched from the deck of the ship. These tests were carried out in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico aboard the landing ship Mesa Verde.

Before that, the UAV was tested at a military base in California.

At the end of the testing, the cars were transferred to the US unmanned aerial vehicle squadron for operation. The second batch of these vehicles was delivered in 2014. With the RQ-21, it is possible to more properly control the battlefield and effectively build tactics for ground forces.

The RQ-21 UAV offers new opportunities for the army forces, which no unmanned vehicle is able to give now. The vehicle can be used as an aid to tactical groups.

The first contract for the supply of RQ-21 aircraft was signed in the summer of 2010, along with this, financial injections amounted to 43 million US dollars, and the client took two such vehicles. The upcoming development of the STUAS / Tier II program provides for the creation of 56 more vehicles from 2013, which will need to spend about 450 million dollars.

RQ-21 device equipment

Optical set of electronic type.

IR camera.

IR target.

Rangefinder laser type.

The device allows you to create support and high-quality intelligence for naval and land units of the army. Due to the open architecture of the car, a fairly rapid reconfiguration of equipment is likely, for which 10 kilograms are allotted. As standard, the machine has day and night cameras, and automatic systems and a recognition communication kit.

The launch of the RQ-21 unmanned aerial vehicle is carried out using a catapult.

RQ-21 Blackjack. Characteristics:

Insitu RQ-21 Blackjack UAV Launch Recovery