RQ-11 Raven
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The RQ-11A / RQ-11B Raven is a remote-controlled miniature unmanned aerial vehicle (or MUAV) used by the U.S. military. The craft produced by AeroVironment is launched by hand and powered by an electric motor. The plane can fly up to 6.2 miles (10 km) up to altitudes of 1,000 feet (305 m) AGL, and 15,000 feet MSL, at flying speed of 28-60 mph.
The Raven can be either remotely controlled from the ground station or fly completely autonomous missions using GPS waypoint navigation. The UAV can be ordered to immediately return to its launch point simply by pressing a single command button. Standard mission payloads include CCD color video and an infrared night-vision camera.
A single Raven costs about $35,000 and the total system costs $250,000.[1]
Raven is the standard SUAS for the US Army, USSOCOM, and now the US Marine Corps. As of early 2007, over 5,000 airframes have already been shipped, making it the most prolific UAV system in the world today. Additionally, US allies have also begun acquiring it such as Australia, Italy, and Denmark, with more countries expected over the next few years.
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[edit] Specifications
- Wing Span 4 ft 3 in
- Length 3 ft 7 in
- Weight 4.2 lb
- Engine Aveox 27/26/7-AV electric motor
- Cruising speed 60 mph
- Range 6.2 miles
[edit] Operators
United States
United Kingdom
- The British forces in Iraq are using U.S. Raven equipment and personnel on loan.[2]
- Italy
- Australia
- Denmark
[edit] Trivia
The name "Raven" was previously used in the US military for the EF-111, the electronic warfare variant of the General Dynamics F-111 fighter-bomber.
[edit] References
- Popular Science, March 2006, pg. 12
[edit] External links
[edit] Related content
Designation sequence
MQ-1 Predator · RQ-3 Dark Star · RQ-4 Global Hawk · RQ-5 Hunter · RQ-6 Outrider · RQ-7 Shadow · MQ-8 Fire Scout · MQ-9 Reaper · CQ-10 Snowgoose · RQ-11 Raven
See also List of unmanned aerial vehicles
Related lists
See also
Timeline of aviation
Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines
Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft
Notable military accidents and incidents · Notable airline accidents and incidents · Famous aviation-related deaths
Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft
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