The
RQ-7 Shadow unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is used by the
US Army to support to ground maneuver commanders. Catapulted from a rail, it is recovered with the aid of arresting gear. Its gimbaled EO/IR sensor relays video in real time via a C-band LOS data link.
The "R" is the Department of Defense designation for reconnaissance; "Q" means unmanned aircraft system. The "2" refers to it being the second 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.
- Primary Function: tactical reconnaisance for ground maneuver forces
- Contractor: AAI
- Power Plant:
- Length: 3.4 meters (11.2 feet)
- Height:
- Weight: 150 kilograms (327 pounds)
- Wingspan: 3.9 meters (12.8 feet)
- Speed:
- Range: up to 50 kilometers (27 nautical miles) and then providing 4 hours of on station time before returning
- Ceiling: 4600 meters (15,000 feet)
- Fuel Capacity:
- Payload: 27 kilograms (60 pounds)
- System Cost:
- Inventory: 176 planned