RQ-6 Outrider

The unmanned vehicle RQ-6 Outrider was created as part of the TAUV program to carry out operational reconnaissance of the battlefield. I must say that Alliant Techsystems was involved in the creation, but the whole concept was based on a machine created by Mi-Tex, under the designation Hellfox.

From the first day of development, the project was accompanied by problems and complications, because of which the first flight became possible only in the spring of 1997. The delay in manufacturing consisted in the manufacture of a new fuselage made of duralumin, and not of composite materials. Also designers encountered the incompatibility of avionics, because there was insufficient shielding of the system. The mass of the device became a problem, which led to further refinement of weight loss. We solved the problem by installing a stronger engine. The first machines entered service in autumn 1998 year, but because of the high cost and unsatisfactory performance, the car was sent back for revision, resulting in a new model.

Originally, the RQ-6 Outrider was powered by the 4318F piston type engine, which was supplied by Mc Culloch, and was soon replaced by the AR-801R engine from UEL. For takeoff and landing, the device had a chassis consisting of three racks that were not retracted. Yet in the event of an accident the car also had a parachute system for landing. The wings of the car were installed in tandem, and they were connected by endings, which increased the lift during the flight. The aircraft had a fairly modern navigation system, which was connected with the satellite. He could both receive and transmit collected information during the flight. For more specific tasks, you can install the appropriate equipment.

Nevertheless, due to the long-term production and constant problems, the leadership of the army decided to search for an alternative option. As a result, preference was given to the apparatus RQ-7A. Due to the current situation, the RQ-6 Outrider project was completely closed in 1999. For all the time was made 20 unmanned machines such as the RQ-6 Outrider. 

RQ-6 Outrider. Characteristics:

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