RQ-21 BLACKJACK

Abstract

The RQ-21A BLACKJACK (formerly known as The Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (STUAS)) is a United States Navy (USN) program that provides persistent maritime and land-based tactical Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance/Target Acquisition support for tactical level maneuver decisions and unit level force defense/force protection for Naval amphibious assault ships (multi-ship classes) and Navy and Marine land forces. This system will support Naval Missions such as building the Recognized Maritime Picture, Maritime Security Operations, Maritime Interdiction Operations, and provide support for Naval Units operating from sea/shore in Overseas Contingency Operations. The RQ-21A BLACKJACK United States Marine Corps program (PE 0305239M) began divesting in FY21 in support of Marine Corps Force Design 2030, Deputy Commandant, Combat, Development and Integration (CD&I) directed divestment of RQ-21A via letter dated February 22, 2021. The RQ-21A BLACKJACK will continue to upgrade the system to satisfy capability shortfalls, reliability, maintainability and safety issues. Upgraded capabilities may include Command and Control integration, Extended Range, Heavy Fuel Engine, Frequency Agile Communications Relay, Airborne Precision Engagement and Targeting, Digital Common Data Link, and periodic refresh of the Electro-Optical/Infrared camera. RQ-21A BLACKJACK will continue to expand its shipboard capability.

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Document Details

Document Type
Project
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2023
Source ID
3192_0305234N_7_1319_PB_2023

Tags

Readers

  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy
  • Autonomy - UAVs
  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control

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