RQ-7 Shadow UAV
Abstract
Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) Shadow 200 provides the Army Brigade Commander with dedicated Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition (RSTA), Intelligence, Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) and Force Protection. The Shadow provides the Brigade Commander with critical battlefield intelligence and targeting information in the rapid cycle time required for success at the tactical level. The TUAV Shadow system air vehicle meets the required operating range of 50 kilometers and remains on station for up to nine hours. The TUAV Shadow system consists of four air vehicles (each configured with an Electro Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensor payload), launcher, ground control and support equipment including: power generation, communications equipment, automated recovery equipment, one system remote video terminals, vehicle mounted shelters, and High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles with trailer(s). Each system is equipped with one Maintenance Section Multifunctional (MSM) and is supported at the division level by a Mobile Maintenance Facility (MMF). All 102 Shadow UAS systems have been procured and 93 have been fielded. Shadow has amassed over 709,000 total flight hours, most of which were flown in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). The Shadow UAS began being deployed to OIF in 2003 and to OIF in 2006. Incremental upgrades are required for continued improvement and interoperability. Common Systems Integration is required to ensure interoperability with other manned and unmanned weapon systems, to include One System Remote Video Transceiver (OSRVT). Continued developmental improvements are required to provide greater interoperability, increase operational capability and flexibility to the Brigade Combat Team. Modifications to the airframe, avionics, payloads, ground control equipment, and support equipment are based on documented requirements and lessons learned units operating in OEF and OIF. Justification: FY2013 RQ-7 UAV Base funding of $31.158 million will be used for Capability Improvements, specifically: Engine improvements (engine development), Air Vehicle modifications (small mission computer development, weatherization, improved fuel system (vented), GPS Denied Operations and redundant avionics development), and Ground Equipment (interoperability) improvements. Additionally, funds will be for System Engineering, Program Management, Software Architecture and Reliability Solutions and System Test and Evaluation support. Funds will also be used to conduct the Increment II OSRVT Limited User Test (LUT), and other applicable OSRVT test events.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2013
- Source ID
- 0305233A_7_2040_PB_2013
- Change Summary Explanation
- Service Agency Name
- Army
Entities
Organizations
- United States Army
Related Documents
- Child Project: RQ-7 SHADOW UAV
- Child Accomplishment: OIF Improvements/Block Upgrades/Capability Improvements
- Child Accomplishment: System Engineering/Reliability Solutions
- Child Accomplishment: Air Vehicle Improvements
- Child Accomplishment: Payload Improvements
- Child Accomplishment: Ground Equipment Improvements
- Child Accomplishment: One System Remote Video Terminal (OSRVT)
- Child Accomplishment: Test and Evaluation
- Child Accomplishment: System Engineering/Program Management
- Child Accomplishment: Program Management Support
- Child Accomplishment: Other Government Agencies
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