RQ-7 Shadow
One of the most prominent and successful American-made UAVs can be called a machine RQ-7 Shadow, which was developed and manufactured by AAI Corporation.
The complex RQ-7 Shadow
-
Ground control station, which is mounted on the chassis of an army vehicle Hummer.
-
4 the aircraft.
-
Launcher hydraulic type, which is set in the trailer.
-
A terminal for transmitting and receiving data.
All this is housed on 6 vehicles and to transport air used three aircraft of type C-130. The machine RQ-7 Shadow is a major competitor in the lead car Predator. Yet RQ-7 has more advantages, first of all he does not need an airfield as a different model, and most importantly, that this device is much cheaper than analog. That is why the US Army in the year purchased 2003 9 such complexes, on what was spent only 99 million.
The aircraft RQ-7 Shadow is made in the normal aerodynamic scheme with a fuselage made up of two longitudinal beams. Flying provides a push-type screw. This UAV has dvuhkilevoe plumage. The tail portion is formed in a V-shaped pattern. For convenience in transporting device made detachable wings. The power plant is represented rotary engine.
It was developed three variants of the UAV RQ-7 Shadow, which is designated as 600-I, 400-200-I and I model. Each of them is specialized in performing specific tasks. Thus, RQ-7 Shadow 200 used to support infantry and lets you see everything that happens on the battlefield. 400-I model is designed to perform maritime operations, with the machine can take off with both the land and the ship. Complex 600-th model, known as UAV Pioneer, distinguished by high duration of the flight without landing.
Payload UAV RQ-7 Shadow
-
Review of the optical system or the infrared type.
-
Radar, which is synthesized with the aperture may also be mounted selector for moving targets.
-
The repeater radio.
-
Pointer.
-
Laser range finder type.
-
The multispectral camera.
The main way of landing the RQ-7 Shadow is an airplane type, but it requires a fairly large band, since the device weighs several hundred kilograms. To fit the model in the standard configuration requires a strip the length of a football field. To do this, the designers installed auxiliary braking systems, while landing on the deck, a brake hook or net is used. As for take-off, it can be carried out on an aircraft type, and in the absence of a runway, a hydraulic-type launcher is used.
RQ-7 Shadow. Characteristics:
Modification | RQ-7A |
Wingspan, m | 3.89 |
Length m | 3.40 |
Height, m | 0.91 |
Weight, kg | |
empty | 75 |
takeoff | 149 |
engine's type | 1 PD AR-741 |
Power, hp | X 1 38 |
Maximum speed km / h | 227 |
Cruising speed, km / h | 120-156 |
Practical range, km | 125 |
The duration of the flight, ch.min | 5 |
Practical ceiling, m | 4570 |