RQ-7 Shadow UAV Test Flight (VMU-3)

Video by Cpl. Samantha H. Arrington. 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The RQ-7 Shadow unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is used by the United States Army and Marine Corps. Launched from a trailer-mounted pneumatic catapult, it is recovered with the aid of arresting gear similar to jets on an aircraft carrier. Its gimbal-mounted, digitally-stabilized, liquid nitrogen-cooled electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) camera relays video in real time via a C-band line-of-sight 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.
The Army's 1st Battalion, 210th Aviation Regiment at Fort Huachuca, AZ trains soldiers, Marines, and civilians in the operation and maintenance of the Shadow UAV. The training program consists of mainly civilian instructors.

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. #AIRBOYD #AvGeek

[ChickenSims]

While this aircraft is unarmed, it can be outfitted with a POP-300D Laser Designator payload to allow it to generate precision grids for artillery and terminally guide laser-guided weapons fired from other aircraft, keeping rotary- and fixed-wing pilots out of harm's way.

In addition, it has a communications relay system (CRS) that allows supported units to relay radio traffic at ranges beyond-line-of-sight and over obstructions such as buildings, forests, and mountains.

[ChickenSims]

@boumar,

The RQ-7 Shadow costs about $750, 000 (most of which is the POP-300 EO/IR payload), and the entire system, consisting of 2 Ground Control Stations (GCS) and 4 Air Vehicles (AV), costs around $15 million. The Shadow has an endurance of 6 hours, can fly up to an altitude of 15, 000' MSL, reach out to beyond 125km in range, and still provide top-notch ISR for supported units, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

While this aircraft is unarmed, it can be outfitted with a POP-300

[dovanvietdo]

Very good and funny videos bring a great sense of entertainment!

[bobdaeronort]

My #2 son was a Sargent in the first commissioned all Army UAV unit the re-activated 224th MI BN (decommissioned following Vietnam) which was the "Eyes" of the CNC in the Iraq War. The 224th flew the Army's new Hunter UAV which first saw service by Mil Contractors in Kosovo. He now works for Boeing Aircraft's UAV unit.

[ChickenSims]

@anglkng1 because it weighs anywhere from 350-400 lbs. depending on fuel and wing state.

[ChickenSims]

@Floyd8814
The payload has always been NRT, thanks to video dissemination methods used. The worst method by far is transmitting video over a network; thanks to bandwidth issues you can literally have a 5-15s delay. But if using conventional methods such as rovers or hardline coaxial cable, the payload feed is near-instant, and provided measures have been taken to reduce the time it takes to go through the "kill chain", which the USMC demonstrated during Marjah in 2010, it is very capable.

[FloydsDamnVan]

@falcon12687 I'm in the 15E program now, and literally just learned more about the POP today, and actually now, with the payload being Near Real Time, this payload is unable to help support the field artillery. By the time the images get back to our operators, and then relayed to field artillery, they could have easily moved on.

[mikethered]

@scarface8999 How has this not saved lives? It give Commanders in the field a birds eye view of what is going on. Taking the manned element out and front line access with no worry of losing a soldier. The RQ-7B is very tactical and doesn't take long for a launch as does the Predator or Warrior Alpha. They can blow things up but Shadows protect the Infantryman just the same with warnings for IED emplacements to where enemy are on the ground.

US ARMY Shadow Operator

[scarface]

@boumar19721972
Were is the sensor package at? why dont i see you commenting on the predator, the Remote controlled UAV that can fire missiles, and has several confirmed kills? Also this thing has saved lots of lives. that lil F-14 RC hasnt.

[ThuNguyen-ysxf]

Some segments in the video are stamped not adjacent to each other

[civicsrcool]

Why are they wearing cranials and holding their cant put double hear pro on kevlar?

[TomsPlanes]

wow, all it really is is a high-tech RC plane. the gas engine sounds the same as gas RC planes too!

[ISAMAGICNUMBR]

@boumar19721972 first off, it doesn't cost that much. And it allows us to get the bigger picture so we save soldier's and civilian's lives.

[alexanderkryl]

The swiss are using UAVs of the same config for over 30 years...

[zeitzeph]

@boumar19721972 This thing costs way more than $10000. I don't know what you think kicks ass, but a squad deployable UAV with the range and sensor package this thing has kicks a lot of ass.

[Shakk]

nice toy!

when they´re bored, they can spy on the neighbors :D

[boumar]

Billions of dollars in defense and all they got is a remote control piece of shit! They should have given that money to the people in the following video: /watch?v=1IXQVh5IbHc now that remote control plane kicks ass!