Alliant RQ-6 Outrider
| RQ-6 Outrider | |
|---|---|
| Role | Remote controlled UAV |
| Manufacturer | Alliant Techsystems |
| Primary users | United States Marine Corps United States Army, United States Navy |
| Produced | 1996–1999 |
The Alliant RQ-6 Outrider unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was designed to provide near-real-time reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition information to United States Marine Corps air/ground task forces, United States Army brigades, and deployed United States Navy units that was small enough for an entire system to be contained on two Humvees and trailer and transported on a single C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft.
The project began in 1996 and was cancelled in 1999.
The "R" is the Department of Defense designation for reconnaissance; "Q" means unmanned aircraft system. The "6" refers to its being the sixth of a series of purpose-built unmanned aircraft systems.
Specifications
Data from GlobalSecurity.org,[1] UAV Annual Report FY 1996[2]
General characteristics
- Payload: 60 lb (27 kg)
- Length: 118.8 in (3 m)
- Wingspan: 133.2 in (3.4 m)
- Height: 61 in (1.5 m)
- Empty weight: 300 lb (136 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × McCulloch 4318F four cylinder pusher prop, 50 hp (37.3 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 110 kn (204 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 90 kn (167 km/h)
- Stall speed: 34 kn (63 km/h)
- Range: up to 200 km (108 nmi)
- Endurance: 4.9 hours at 200 km, 7.2 hours at 50 km
- Service ceiling: 15,000 ft (4,572 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,600 ft/min (488 m/min)
- Operating altitude: 5,000 ft (1.5 km)
Possible Patent Infringement
The Outrider wing configuration and design was similar if not exact to that developed by Skywardens Limited and its subsidiary Skywardens Aerospace (Canada) Inc. Patent No.:
| Publication number | US4856736 A |
| Publication type | Grant |
| Application number | US 07/211,754 |
| Publication date | Aug 15, 1989 |
| Filing date | Jun 27, 1988 |
Controversially, neither Skywardens Limited nor the collective group of "Inventors" was ever asked permission by Alliant Techsystems or its representatives to reproduce the design.
See also
- Related lists
References
- ↑ "Outrider Tactical UAV". GlobalSecurity.org. 2005-04-26.
- ↑ "UAV Annual Report FY 1996" (PDF). Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition & Technology) Defense Airborne Reconnaissance Office. 6 November 1996. p. 31 (p. 39 in PDF).