RQ 21 Development Flight Testing

Navy, Marines Begin RQ-21 Developmental Flight Testing

The RQ-21 Small Tactical Unmanned Air System flies over NAS China Lake, Calif. during its initial developmental test flight Sept.10. (U.S. Navy Photo)

A little more than two years into its engineering, manufacturing and development phase, the RQ-21A Small Tactical Unmanned Air System (STUAS) entered developmental test at China Lake, Calif. beginning with a 66-minute flight Monday.
During the initial developmental flight test at the weapons station on Sept. 10, 2012 operators flew the RQ-21A using a unique pneumatic launcher and a recovery system known as Skyhook. This system, developed by the UAV manufacturer Insitu, Inc., eliminates the need for runways and enables a safe recovery and expeditionary capability for tactical missions on land or sea.
According to Col. Jim Rector, STUAS program manager (PMA-263) at Patuxent River, Md. the developmental test will be fast-paced, “We are on track for initial operational capability in 2013.” he added.

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