AAI RQ-7 Shadow
The RQ-7 Shadow unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is used by the United States Army to support to ground maneuver commanders. Launched from a rail, it is recovered with the aid of arresting gear similar to jets on an aircraft carrier. Its liquid nitrogen cooled, gimbal and digitally stabilized EO/IR camera relays video in real time via a C-band LOS data link to the Ground Control Station (GCS).
The "R" is the Department of Defense designation for reconnaissance; "Q" means unmanned aircraft system. The "7" refers to it being the seventh of a series of purpose-built unmanned reconnaissance aircraft systems. See also RQ-1 Predator, RQ-2 Pioneer, RQ-3 Dark Star, RQ-4 Global Hawk, RQ-5 Hunter, and RQ-6 Outrider.
General Characteristics
- Primary Function: tactical reconnaisance for ground maneuver forces
- Contractor: AAI
- Power Plant: UAV Engines 741
- Length: 3.4 meters (11.2 feet)
- Height:
- Weight: 340 pounds fueled and oiled
- Wingspan: 3.9 meters (12.8 feet)
- Speed: Normal Operating Range 70-110 knots
- Range: 50 kilometers (27 nautical miles) with a single GCS and up to 125 kilometers with a pair of GCSs
- Maximum Endurance: 5.1 hours
- Ceiling: 14,000 feet MSL
- Fuel Capacity: 37 Liters of 87 octane gasoline
- Payload: 27 kilograms (60 pounds) Electro-Optical / Infrared / Laser Designator