The RQ-11A / RQ-11B Raven is a remote-controlled miniature unmanned aerial vehicle (or MUAV) used by the U.S. military and its allies. 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] The Raven is used by the Army, Marine Corps, and Special Forces Command of the United States. Additionally, US allies such as Australia, Italy, and Denmark have also begun acquiring it, with more countries expected over the next few years. As of early 2007, over 5,000 airframes have already been shipped, making it the most prolific UAV system in the world today.
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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
- Endurance approx. 80 min
Operators
United States
United Kingdom
- The British forces in Iraq are using U.S. Raven equipment and personnel on loan.[2]
Italy
Australia
Denmark
- Denmark acquired 12 Ravens in September 2007 - 3 of the UAVs will be delivered to the Army Special Forces, while the rest of 9 will be deployed at the Danish Army's Artillery Training Center. [3]
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.
References
- Popular Science, March 2006, pg. 12
External links
Related content
Designation sequence
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MQ-1 Predator · RQ-2 Pioneer · 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
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| General | Timeline of aviation · Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines |
| Military | Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft |
| Notable incidents and accidents | Military aviation · Airliners · General aviation · Famous aviation-related deaths |
| Records | Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft |
