Since the end of the last decade, the American company Boeing Insitu has been working on the RQ-21 Blackjack unmanned aerial vehicle project. This device was developed for the Marine Corps and naval forces USA. The main purpose of the vehicle is to conduct reconnaissance, patrol in specified areas and detect various objects. By now everything design work new drones have been completed and are under full-scale construction.
The RQ-21 UAV was developed as part of the STUAS (Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System) program. The goal of this program was to create a lightweight drone for use in the Marine Corps and Navy. This purpose affected the requirements for a promising vehicle. So, it was necessary to make a relatively light vehicle capable of patrolling for a long time. In addition, it had to have the smallest possible dimensions for storage on ships. The complex was planned to include a rail launcher for takeoff. Landing had to be done using a system that made it possible to do without a large platform.
In addition to Boeing Insitu, several other companies participated in the STUAS program. Raytheon presented the Killer Bee UAV (now known as the Northrop Grumman Bat), AAI proposed the Aerodyne project, and General Dynamics (USA) and Elbit Systems (Israel) entered the program with the Storm project. The development of preliminary designs and their comparison continued until mid-2010. In June 2010, the customer made his choice. The Pentagon considered the Boeing Insitu RQ-21A Integrator (the name the project had in the early stages) to be the best of the proposed projects. To complete the project, the developer was allocated $43.7 million.
The basis for the RQ-21A project was the previous development of Boeing Insitu - the ScanEagle UAV. The new drone “inherited” a number of units and technical solutions. However, the specific requirements of the Marine Corps and Navy forced significant reworking of the original project. So, all this led to a fundamental change appearance and device layout.
From an aerodynamic point of view, the RQ-21 UAV is a two-boom high-wing aircraft with a pushing propeller. The fuselage and wing of the Integrator/Blackjack were made by processing the corresponding units of the ScanEagle UAV. The new vehicle has an elongated fuselage of a characteristic shape, inside which an engine and various equipment are installed.
A high wing with a span of 4.8 m is fixed in the middle part of the fuselage. The high aspect ratio wing has a slight sweep along the leading edge. At the junction of the wing and fuselage, the center section has a characteristic rounded bevel. At the ends there are so-called winglets. The wing design used is designed to provide the highest possible aerodynamic quality, which directly affects the flight characteristics of the device, primarily the range and duration of the flight.
At the joints of the center section and wing consoles, two thin beams are attached to the plane, on which a U-shaped tail unit is attached. The latter consists of two fins with rudders and a high-mounted stabilizer with an elevator. Taking into account the tail booms and empennage, the total length of the RQ-21 UAV is 2.5 m.
In the rear part of the fuselage there is an 8 hp piston engine that uses aviation kerosene of the JP-5 and JP-8 grades as fuel. A pusher propeller located between two tail booms is used as a propulsion device. The engine used allows the drone to reach a maximum speed of up to 167 km/h. Cruising speed – 101 km/h. The ceiling reaches 6 km. The available fuel supply is sufficient for patrolling for 16 hours.
The RQ-21 Integrator/Blackjack UAV turned out to be quite light. The weight of the empty device is 36 kg. The maximum take-off weight with a payload of 17 kg is 61 kg. The light weight of the machine made it possible to get by with a relatively low-power engine.
In the forward part of the fuselage of the device there is a gyro-stabilized installation for surveillance equipment. In the standard configuration, it contains an optical-electronic system with a video camera and a thermal imager, as well as a laser range finder and an identification system transponder. If necessary, the device can carry additional equipment. For power supply radio-electronic equipment The drone is equipped with a 350 W generator.
To facilitate the design of the aircraft in the RQ-21 project, it was necessary to use special devices for launch and landing, borrowed from the ScanEagle project. It is proposed to launch using a rail launcher. The unit is mounted on a towed wheeled chassis. A set of equipment and a rail guide are installed on it. The latter has a movable carriage with mounts for a drone. Before launching, it is necessary to raise the guide to the desired elevation angle and install the aircraft on the carriage. At the operator’s command, the carriage, driven by a pneumatic drive, accelerates the UAV to takeoff speed, after which it separates from it and rises into the air.
It was proposed to use the Skyhook system as a landing device. It is a towed platform with a lifting boom on which there is a cable. To land the drone, you need to raise the boom and bring the cable into a vertical position. Next, the UAV, using a radio beacon, sets out on a landing course. The operator or automation must direct the device towards the landing device in such a way as to grab the cable with a special hook installed on the wing. After this, the cable is tensioned and dampens the horizontal speed of the UAV, after which it can be lowered to the ground or onto the deck of a ship.
The composition of the unmanned aviation complex The Boeing Insitu RQ-21A Integrator/Blackjack includes five aircraft, two control panels on a wheeled chassis, and towed trailers with a launcher and Skyhook system. This composition of the complex allows it to be used both in the ground forces and in the Marine Corps or Navy with equipment based on ships.
On July 28, 2012, Boeing Insitu specialists conducted the first test launch of a new drone. The device successfully separated from the launcher, completed the flight program and “landed” using the Skyhook system. Subsequently, several more test flights were carried out. For example, at the beginning of September 2012, the flight duration exceeded one hour for the first time.
At the beginning of February 2013, the RQ-21A complex was delivered on board landing ship USS Mesa Verde (LPT-19). On February 10, the first launch from the deck took place. For several months, specialists have been testing the operation of the unmanned system when used in the interests of the fleet or the ILC.
On February 19, American specialists began flight tests new modification drone – RQ-21A Block II. It differs from the basic version in some design features, as well as in the equipment used. To monitor the situation, this UAV received an updated NightEagle optical-electronic system, developed as part of the ScanEagle project. The upgraded optical-electronic system has better performance when operating at night and in hot climates. Further tests of the RQ-21A and RQ-21A Block II drones were carried out in parallel.
In September 2013, the Integrator project received a new name – Blackjack. Soon, at the end of November, the development company received a contract worth $8.8 million, the purpose of which was to prepare for mass production of new UAVs. The first production complex RQ-21A was transferred to the Marine Corps in January 2014.
The main customer for the new unmanned aerial vehicles should be the USMC. Currently, Boeing Insitu is fulfilling the Corps' order for the supply of 32 complexes. Each of them includes five drones. By 2017, the Marine Corps intends to purchase 100 sets of the Blackjack system. The value of the entire order is expected to remain at $560 million.
The US Navy has also expressed its desire to acquire new UAVs. There is an order for 25 complexes with five aircraft each.
It was previously reported that in 2014 the Royal Netherlands Army could receive its first RQ-21A Blackjack. This structure expressed its readiness to purchase five unmanned systems. Another six complexes could be acquired by an unnamed Middle Eastern country. There is no information about this contract.
In April 2014, the USMC began operating the RQ-21A UAV in Afghanistan. A complex of five drones, two control units and a set of other equipment was delivered to one of the bases. Blackjack devices were used for reconnaissance and detection of enemy targets. In September it was reported that during 119 days of operation in Afghanistan, the total flight time of the drones was 1,000 hours. The RQ-21A complex has proven itself well, as a result of which its operation in Afghanistan continued.
Based on materials from sites:
http://insitu.com/
http://naval-technology.com/
http://navaldrones.com/
http://arms-expo.ru/
http://globalsecurity.org/
Insitu"s 61kg, twin-boomed RQ-21A Integrator is based on the UAS. Although heavier than the ScanEagle, Integrator has a common ground control system, catapult launcher and Skyhook recovery system. The RQ-21A"s 37.5 pounds payload capacity includes Day/Night Full Motion Video (FMV) cameras, an infrared marker and laser range finder, and Automatic Identification System (AIS) receivers. Integrator flies higher (16,000 feet) and longer than ScanEagle, with a 15 hour endurance.
In 2010, the aircraft won the Department of the Navy's STUAS contract and the Navy and Marine Corps will purchase a total of 36 systems, each with five tactical aircraft. The Integrator will conduct persistent maritime and land-based Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) missions ashore and afloat. The Dutch Navy has also purchased five systems
Integrator began shipboard testing in early 2013 ahead of a decision to move into low-rate initial production (LRIP). However, during the Navy’s Fiscal Year 2014 budget request briefing on April 10, 2013, Rear Admiral Joseph Mulloy said the STUAS would be “truncated” into a “Marine Corps program moving on Navy ships.” The Marine Corps has nick-named the RQ-21 "Blackjack."
In November 2013, the Navy awarded an $8.8 million contract to Boeing Insitu Inc. for one low-rate-initial-production Blackjack system, to include air vehicles, ground control stations, launch and recovery equipment, and air vehicle support equipment.
Wide Area Sensor Flies on Integrator UAV
Integrator Launch with Redkite Wide-Area Motion Imagery Sensor Bay (Photo: Business Wire)
February 15, 2017- Logos Technologies and Insitu, a subsidiary of The Boeing Company, are proud to announce the successful initial flight test of the Redkite wide-area sensor aboard the Integrator small tactical unmanned aircraft.
Conducted early this month in Boardman, Ore., the test marks the first time a wide-area motion imagery (WAMI) system has been carried in the internal payload bay of a small UAS.
“In the past, we’ve mounted podded versions of our lightweight WAMI systems to rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft,” says John Marion, president of Logos Technologies. “Now, thanks to further reductions in weight, we can easily fit a Redkite inside a tactical unmanned platform, as demonstrated with our recent flights on the Insitu Integrator.”
Redkite Sensor package - Image courtesy of Logos Technologies
Despite its compact form, Redkite can image a city-sized area (over 12 square kilometers) all at once-detecting, tracking and recording all significant movers within the scene. It also stores up to eight hours of this geo-tagged mission data on onboard solid state drives (SSDs).
While the WAMI sensor is flying, multiple users on the ground can select real-time and/or historical video feeds within its expansive coverage area and view them on desktop screens, tablets and other mobile devices. Redkite can transmit up to 10 unique views to hundreds of users at one time.
“Insitu is pleased to collaborate with Logos to provide yet another way for our customers to get the critical information they need,” said Pete Kunz, chief technology officer for Insitu. “Integrator with Redkite enables an even broader set of missions to aid the warfighter in a complex operational environment.”
In addition, the new sensor weight (under 30lbs) means that Redkite can potentially be integrated with even smaller unmanned aircraft in the future, notes Marion.
Logos Technologies will be unveiling a full-size model of the new internal payload version of Redkite at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) 2017, held February 19-23 in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates.
Marines Receive New Blackjack Unmanned Air System
16 August 2016 - Story bySgt. Brytani Wheeler Marine Corps Air Station Miramar/3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 1 launched their new RQ-21A Blackjack Unmanned Aerial System during training aboard Cannon Air Defense Complex in Yuma, Arizona, Aug. 16.
VMU-1 received the new aircraft in June and the Marines are excited about the advanced capabilities it brings over the RQ-7 Shadow the unit previously used.
“The Blackjack is runway independent, expeditionary, modular and a lot quieter than the Shadow,” said Cpl. Preston Martin, a UAS maintainer with VMU-1.
VMU-1 Marines received hands-on mobile training from maintenance instructors from Insitu, the company who developed the Blackjack.
“The Blackjack is faster to set up and tear down,” said Cody Cavender, a maintenance instructor with Insitu. “It comes loaded with payload packages, it has a longer endurance, and the training out here is going great.”
16 August 16- Marines with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 1 recover their new RQ-21A Blackjack Unmanned Aerial System after its flight aboard Cannon Air Defense Complex in Yuma, Ariz., Aug. 16. VMU-1 received their new Blackjack’s in June and conducted training to increase their proficiency with the new aircraft before they deploy with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit next year. The new aircraft is runway independent and leaves a significantly smaller footprint than their previous UAS. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brytani Wheeler)
The Small Tactical Unmanned Aerial System Launching equipment and the STUAS Recovery System require a significantly smaller space to store and set up for operations, explained Capt. Garon Taylor-Tyree, director of safety and standardization for VMU-1 and will be the detachment officer-in-charge for the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
“The fact that our footprint has decreased substantially is the first benefit,” said Taylor-Tyree. “The second is that we don’t require a runway to operate the RQ-21.”
VMU-1 is slated to deploy in summer 2017 in support of the 15th MEU with the new RQ-21A Blackjack UAS which will primarily bring the unit Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance.
“The capability of the new aircraft will bring organic ISR to the MEU that is persistent and easy to manage,” said Taylor-Tyree.
“We’ll be able to distribute that feed to other ships, or if satellite capabilities allow, back to the states to various units,” continued Taylor-Tyree. “This means that we can provide persistent ISR organic to the MEU instead of having to request it from sister services.”
The deployment with the 15th MEU will be the first chance for the Marines of VMU-1 to showcase their proficiency with their new equipment.
“We’re excited about the challenge of meeting the requirements of the first west coast MEU,” said Taylor-Tyree. “But we're up for the challenge. It’s going to take a lot of training to make it work but we’ve received a lot of support from the and the 3rd to make that all possible.”
Navy Awards Insitu $71.5 Million Tactical UAS Contract
1 June 2016- The Navy has awarded Insitu a $71.5 million firm fixed price contract to deliver six Lot V RQ-21 Blackjack unmanned air systems.
In addition to the aircraft, the Boeing subsidiary will provide ground control stations, launch and recovery equipment, shipboard equipment kits, systems engineering, and program management.
Work will be completed in Washington state by October 2017.
NAVAIR Awards Insitu Another $78 Million UAS Contract
28 July 2015- Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland has awarded Insitu Inc., of Bingen, Washington, a $78,000,001 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of six low-rate initial production Lot IV RQ-21A Blackjack unmanned aircraft systems.
According to the award announcement, this contract provides for the procurement of the air vehicles, ground control stations, launch and recovery equipment, spares, and system engineering and program management. The work is expected to be completed by September 2016, with seventy percent performed in Bingen, Washington, and thirty percent in Hood River, Oregon.
Boeing Insitu Awarded Navy Contract for Blackjack UAS
December 18, 2014- The Naval Air Systems Command has awarded Boeing's Insitu subsidiary a$41,076,746 firm-fixed-price contract for the procuratorement of three low rate initial production RQ-21A Blackjack unmanned aircraft systems.
This award provides for acquisition of the air vehicles, ground control stations, launch and recovery equipment, initial spares, system engineering, and program management services. Work will be performed in Bingen, Washington and is expected to be completed in January 2016.
Insitu Integrate Demonstrates 24 Hour Long Flight
22 July 2014– Insitu announced today the successful 24-hour flight of its Integrator unmanned aircraft.
The flight demonstrated Integrator's expanded endurance at an increased gross take-off weight with payload on board. The event is the first of several planned milestones for the platform aimed toward continuously increasing payload capacity and endurance for future missions.
“Today’s flight is just the beginning,” said Insitu Chief Engineer Peter Kunz. “We designed Integrator with growth in mind; high fuel capacity, large dedicated payload volumes and an aerodynamically and structurally efficient airframe have all been carefully implemented to allow the platform to change and adjust to our customers" priorities.”
Integrator is a modular and flexible solution for both land and maritime operations, consisting of six payload spaces that can be customized with cameras, communication capabilities and a broad array of other payloads. The platform is also the basis for the RQ021A Blackjack, developed by Insitu under the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps program of record.
“Our customers require a flexible, long-endurance system,” said Senior Vice President Insitu Programs Ryan Hartman. “Taking this first step to increase the gross take-off weight opens up more opportunities for us to integrate heavier payloads while maintaining long endurance for a multi-mission platform.”
U.S. Navy Begins Blackjack UAS Operational Testing
January 29, 2014 - NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. – The Navy and Marine Corps" newest small unmanned aircraft system RQ-21A Blackjack began its initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) in early January at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California.
As part of IOT&E, this first low-rate initial production (LRIP) lot of the Blackjack, previously known as RQ-21A Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (STUAS), will demonstrate the system’s effectiveness and suitability in realistic combat conditions.
“Receiving the first production-level Blackjack is a great achievement for our government and industry team,” said Col. James Rector, program manager for the Navy and Marine Corps STUAS program office, who oversees the RQ-21A program. “It is a very capable system that will meet the needs of our warfighters deployed on land or at sea with our Marine expeditionary units.”
Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 1 is conducting ground and shipboard testing on Blackjack for the next several months. After completing IOT&E, the government and Insitu team will transition the system to Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 2, located at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. for operational use. A second LRIP lot, consisting of one system, is scheduled for delivery in the spring.
Lt. Col. Anthony Bolden, commanding officer for VMU-2, said the myriad of capabilities that come with the introduction of Blackjack will provide the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) with a platform that has the payload and persistence to significantly enhance situational awareness.
“The RQ-21A brings a new level of flexibility and expeditionary capability not present in any UAS to date,” Bolden said. “As a result, having and operating the Blackjack will posture the Marine UAV squadrons at the forefront of MAGTF operations.”
JMSDF Considering RQ-21 Buy
12 January 2014- According to the Japan Times, the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force is considering the purchase of up to 19 RQ-21A Insitu unmanned air vehicles over the next five years. The aircraft would launch from destroyers to bolster the JMSDF's monitoring capability in the East China Sea. The JMSDF has also made investments to research the equipment needed to operate UAVs at sea.
Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical UAS Enters Production Phase
21 May 13- The Department of the Navy announced May 15 that the RQ-21A Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System(STUAS) received Milestone C approval authorizing the start of low rate initial production.
With MS C approval, the RQ-21A program, managed by the Navy and Marine Corps STUAS program office (PMA-263) here at NAS Patuxent River, enters the production and deployment phase of the acquisition timeline, according to the PMA-263 Program Manager Col. Jim Rector.
“This milestone allows us to provide our warfighter with a unique capability – an organic UAS capable of operations from both land and sea,” said Rector. “The RQ-21A will provide persistent maritime and land-based tactical Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition data collection and dissemination capabilities.”
Concurrently, Marines are flying an Early Operational Capability (EOC) system at Twenty Nine Palms, Calif. for pre-deployment preparation. Lessons learned from EOC will be applied to operational missions in theater.
The aircraft is based on Insitu’s Scan Eagle UAS, which has flown more than 245,000 hours in support of Navy and Marine Corps forward deployed forces via a services contract. The RQ-21A system has a 25 pound payload capacity, ground control system, catapult launcher and unique recovery system, known as Skyhook, allowing the aircraft to recover without a runway.
The RQ-21A includes Day/Night Full Motion Video (FMV) cameras, infrared marker and laser range finder, and Automatic Identification System (AIS) receivers. The ability to rapidly integrate payloads allows warfighters to quickly insert the most advanced and relevant payload for their land/maritime missions and counter-warfare actions.
“The expeditionary nature of the RQ-21A makes it possible to deploy a multi-intelligence capable UAS with minimal footprint, ideal for amphibious operations such as a Marine Expeditionary Unit conducts,” Rector said. “The RQ-21A can be operated aboard ship, and then rapidly transported ashore as either a complete system or just a “spoke”, or control center, making this system ideally suited for humanitarian or combat operations, where getting real-time intelligence to the on-scene commander is crucial.”
The DoN plans to purchase a total of 36 STUAS systems, each with five aircraft. Initial Operational Capability is scheduled for second quarter fiscal year 2014.
Integrator Completes First At-Sea Testing
February 13, 2013- The Navy's RQ-21A Small Tactical UAS completed its first operational take offs and landings at sea from the San Antonio class dock landing ship USS Mesa Verde(LPD-19). The testing took place in the Gulf of Mexico on February 10. Above, the Integrator is recovered with Insitu's SkyHook capture rope (U.S. Navy Photo).
Integrator Tests New Synthetic Aperature Radar
10 October 2012- Insitu Pacific announced that it successfully flew SELEX Galileo’s PicoSAR, a compact Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar onboard an Integrator Small Tactical UAS at United States testing ranges. The PicoSAR features high-resolution Synthetic Aperature Radar (SAR) and Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) modes. The radar can be mounted on a gimbal or the beam can be steered electronically.
RQ-21A Integrator Continues Flight Testing
September 13, 2012- The Navy’s RQ-21A Small Tactical Unmanned Air System (STUAS) began developmental tests with a 66 minute flight on September 10 at Naval Air WeaponsStation China Lake, California. According to Colonel Jim Rector, STUAS program manager (PMA-263), the system is on track for initial operational capability in 2013. A more capable derivative of the highly successful ScanEagle platform, each STUAS consists of five air vehicles, two ground control stations , multiple payloads, and associated launch, recovery, and support equipment. The system will conduct a variety of missions, including maritime domain awareness, maritime security operations, maritime interdiction operations, and support to Navy and Marine units operating within 50 nautical miles of the sea. Production models of the RQ-21A will be upgraded with a mid-wave infrared (MWIR) camera and an automatic identification system (AIS) system for maritime missions.
The testing was supported by Sailors and Marines from the Navy’s Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX-30) “Bloodhounds,” based at NavalWeapons Test Squadron Point Mugu. Previous flight tests occurred January 22, 2012 at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, California with representatives from Marine Corps VMU-1 and VMU-3 squadrons in attendance.
The RQ-21 Blackjack remote-controlled aircraft, also known as the Integrator, was created by the American company Insitu Incorporated, which is now part of the Boeing Corporation. The machine is an upcoming development of the Scan Needle device. There are external differences in the plumage between cars; this has led to an increase in the size of the aircraft.
The RQ-21 set consists of:
Five aircraft.
Two ground control points.
A set of equipment for servicing and starting cars.
The RQ-21 aircraft took off for the first time in the summer of 2012. During testing winter period 2013 was launched from the deck of a ship. These tests were carried out in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico aboard the landing ship Mesa Verde.
Before this, the UAV was tested at a military base in California.
Upon completion of testing, the vehicles were transferred for operation to the US unmanned aerial vehicle squadron. The second batch of these vehicles was delivered in 2014. With the use of the RQ-21, it is possible to better control the battlefield and effectively build tactics for ground forces.
The RQ-21 UAV offers new capabilities to the Army that no other unmanned vehicle can currently provide. The vehicle can be used to assist tactical groups.
The first contract for the supply of RQ-21 aircraft was signed in the summer of 2010, along with this financial injection amounted to 43 million US dollars, and the client took two of these vehicles. The upcoming development of the STUAS/Tier II program involves the creation of an additional 56 vehicles from 2013, which will cost about $450 million.
Equipment of the device RQ-21
Optical array of electronic type.
IR camera.
IR target designator.
Laser type range finder.
The device allows for the creation of support and high-quality reconnaissance of naval and ground army units. Due to the open architecture of the cars, a fairly rapid reconfiguration of the equipment is possible, for which 10 kilograms are allocated. As standard, the machine has day and night cameras, automatic systems and a communication recognition kit.
The RQ-21 unmanned vehicle is launched using a catapult.
RQ-21 Blackjack. Specifications:
| Modification | RQ-21A |
| Wingspan, m | 3.11 |
| Length, m | 1.71 |
| Height, m | |
| Weight, kg | |
| deserted | 14 |
| takeoff | 22 |
| Engine type | 1 PD |
| Power, hp | 1 x 1.5 |
| High speed, km/h | 148 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 111 |
| Practical range, km | 1000 |
| Flight duration, h.min | 24 |
| Practical ceiling, m | 5950 |
Insitu RQ-21 Blackjack UAV Launch Recovery
The RQ-21 Blackjack unmanned aerial vehicle, also known as Integrator, was developed by the American company Insitu Incorporated, which at the moment part of the Boeing Corporation. The machine is a further development of the Scan Eagle device. There are external differences between the machines in the plumage, this led to an increase in the size of the aircraft.
The RQ-21 system consists of:
Five aircraft.
Two ground control points.
A set of equipment for starting and servicing machines.
The RQ-21 aircraft took off for the first time in the summer of 2012. During testing in the winter of 2013, a launch was made from the deck of a ship. These tests were carried out in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico on board the landing ship Mesa Verde. Before this, the UAV was tested at a military base in California.
Upon completion of the tests, the vehicles were transferred for operation to the US unmanned aerial vehicle squadron. The second batch of these machines was delivered in 2014. With the use of the RQ-21, it is possible to better monitor the battlefield and effectively build tactics for ground forces.
The RQ-21 UAV offers new capabilities to military forces that no other unmanned vehicle can provide at the moment. The vehicle can be used as support for tactical groups.
The first contract for the supply of RQ-21 aircraft was signed in the summer of 2010, with cash injections amounting to $43 million, and the customer received two such aircraft. Further development The STUAS/Tier II program provides for the creation of another 56 machines from 2013, which will cost about $450 million.
Equipment of the device RQ-21
Electronic type optical system.
IR camera.
IR target designator.
Laser type range finder.
The device allows for high-quality reconnaissance and support for naval and ground army units. Due to the open architecture of the machine, it is possible to quickly reconfigure the equipment, for which 10 kilograms are allocated. As standard, the vehicle has night and day cameras, as well as a communications kit and automatic recognition systems. The RQ-21 unmanned vehicle is launched using a catapult.
RQ-21 Blackjack. Specifications:
| Modification | RQ-21A |
| Wingspan, m | 3.11 |
| Length, m | 1.71 |
| Height, m | |
| Weight, kg | |
| empty | 14 |
| takeoff | 22 |
| Engine type | 1 PD |
| Power, hp | 1 x 1.5 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 148 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 111 |
| Practical range, km | 1000 |
| Flight duration, h.min | 24 |
| Practical ceiling, m | 5950 |
RQ-21A STUAS (SMALL TACTICAL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM) UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM
13.02.2013
AMERICAN INTEGRATOR UAV LAUNCHED FROM A SHIP FOR THE FIRST TIME
The US Navy launched for the first time on February 10 reconnaissance drone RQ-21A, also known as Integrator, from the deck of the ship. This was reported in a Navy press release dated February 12.
According to the Navy, the tests took place in the Gulf of Mexico on the deck of the amphibious assault ship Mesa Verde (LPD-19). Prior to this, the UAV was tested on land in California for three months. The device made its first flight in July 2012.
The RQ-21A UAV is being developed by Insitu (a subsidiary of Boeing). The device weighs 34 kilograms, reaches five meters in width and can carry up to 27 kilograms of payload. It reaches speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour and can stay in the air for 24 hours. The combat radius of the RQ-21A is up to 1000 kilometers. The drone is equipped with a laser rangefinder, as well as a set of electro-optical and infrared sensors.
Lenta.ru
14.02.2013
On February 10, the RQ-21A (Small Tactical Unmanned Air System - STUAS) small tactical drone performed its first takeoff from the deck of the San Antonio-class USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), ASDNews reported on February 13. After the flight was completed, the device was lifted aboard the landing ship.
The flight over the sea was preceded by three months of ground/flight testing at the Naval Air Station in China Lake (California).
19.02.2013
AMERICAN RQ-21A INTEGRATOR DRONE LAUNCHED FROM A SHIP FOR THE FIRST TIME 
On Sunday, February 10, the US Navy launched the RQ-21A STUAS (Small Tactical Unmanned Air System), also known as Integrator, from the deck of a ship for the first time. This was reported in a Navy press release dated February 12.
According to the Navy, the tests took place in the Gulf of Mexico on the deck of the amphibious assault ship Mesa Verde (LPD-19). Prior to this, the UAV was tested on land in California for three months. The device made its first flight in July 2012. The RQ-21A UAV is being developed by Insitu (a subsidiary of Boeing). The device weighs 34 kilograms, reaches five meters in width and can carry up to 27 kilograms of payload. It reaches speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour and can stay in the air for 24 hours. The combat radius of the RQ-21A is up to 1000 kilometers.
The drone is equipped with a laser rangefinder, as well as a set of electro-optical and infrared sensors. As previously reported, delivery of RQ-21A drones to troops under the STUAS program is scheduled for 2017. In addition to the US Navy, RQ-21A drones are planned to be purchased for the Marine Corps. The Marines, as reported, will launch the vehicles primarily on land.
Lenta
27.05.2013
RQ-21A - US Navy SMALL TACTICAL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT
The US Navy has given permission to begin production of the lead batch of small tactical unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) STUAS (Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System) RQ-21A for the Navy and Marine Corps (MCC) as part of Phase C. This was reported by ARMS-TASS.
This means that the RQ-21A program, led by the Navy and Marine STUAS program office in Patuxent River, Maryland, enters the production and deployment phase.
The RQ-21A unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) included in the system will perform tactical reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting missions at sea and on land in the interests of the two branches of the US armed forces.
WEAPONS OF RUSSIA
15.01.2014
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force intends to equip ships with unmanned aerial vehicles, Jane's reports, citing military sources. The American RQ-21A Blackjack unmanned vehicles are being considered as one of the main options. Japan will spend two million yen ($19.2 thousand) in 2014 to test and select a ship-borne drone.
According to the Japanese military, the new drones will be used to monitor the movements of Chinese ships in the East China Sea. The final decision on equipping Japanese ships with drones has not yet been made. If the RQ-21A or other similar vehicles are purchased, the Navy will be the first Japanese military branch to use unmanned aerial vehicles. aircraft. Lenta.ru
31.01.2014
The US Marine Corps and Navy have begun military testing of the promising RQ-21A Blackjack unmanned aerial vehicle, Defense News reports. Evaluation testing of the drone is currently being conducted at the 29th Marine Corps Air and Ground Combat Center in Palms, California. After their completion, a decision may be made to accept the RQ-21A for service.
The drone will also undergo testing with the US Navy's 1st Air Test and Evaluation Squadron. The military will test it both on land and at sea, launching it from the deck of a ship. After these tests lasting several months, the RQ-21A will be transferred to the 2nd Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron, located at Cherry Point Air Force Base in North Carolina, for testing.
06.06.2014
The new unmanned aircraft system (UAS) RQ-21A “Blackjack”, developed and manufactured by Insitu, a division of Boeing, has already been deployed in Afghanistan, in service with the US Marine Corps. This is stated in a message from the US Navy. The RQ-21A, with five unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), is deployed nearly four years after Insitu won a contract to supply the Pentagon with small tactical UAS in August 2010 and more than two years after the first two systems were handed over to the Marine Corps.
20.10.2015
The American company Logos Technologies has received a contract from the US Naval Research Office, under which it will develop a “super sensor” for the RQ-21 Blackjack reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle. According to Flightglobal, the transaction amounted to $18.2 million.
Logos Technologies will have to develop an electro-optical camera, a wide-angle camera, a short-wave infrared hyperspectral camera and a high resolution with control sensor. These devices should be compactly placed in a small housing. The mass of the finished “super sensor” should not exceed 17.8 kilograms.
All images obtained using the new system will be transmitted to a computing system on board the drone, capable of processing up to one gigabyte of data per second. The “super sensor” will allow the military to conduct detailed markings of the area and detect hidden enemy fighters and improvised explosive devices on it.
The development of the device is expected to be completed by the end of March 2020. The US Marine Corps will use the new reconnaissance system.
N+1
09.06.2017
The Dutch Ministry of Defense has signed a contract with the American company Insitu (a structural division of Boeing) for the supply of three complexes with short-range unmanned aerial vehicles Integrator, reports the press service of Insitu.
“Delivery should begin in 2018. Integrator should replace the ScanEagle unmanned systems previously acquired by the Dutch Ministry of Defense, which since 2012 have been used to protect troops during military operations, detect targets, and adjust fire,” the statement says.
Integrator is a multifunctional unmanned system with long-duration aircraft. The device with a take-off weight of about 60 kg can carry a payload with a total weight of up to 18 kg, including various reconnaissance, surveillance and target designation equipment.
Integrator (another name for the RQ-21A Blackjack system) has been in mass production since 2016. They are used by US Navy and Marine Corps units. In addition, these devices are used by the Canadian Armed Forces.
RNS
RQ-21A STUAS UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM 
The RQ-21A UAV is being developed by Insitu (a subsidiary of Boeing). The Integrator UAV, developed by Insitu, is integral part small tactical reconnaissance unmanned aircraft system RQ-21A STUAS (Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System), which has been assigned initial operational readiness status.
The first flight lasted two hours, the device was controlled by specialists from the 2nd and 3rd squadrons of unmanned aircraft systems of the US Marine Corps together with representatives of the Insitu company.
The RQ-21A has the ability to perform multiple missions in one flight, and is equipped with an electro-optical system, an infrared camera, an infrared target designator and a laser rangefinder.
The device weighs 34 kilograms, reaches five meters in width and can carry up to 27 kilograms of payload. It reaches speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour and can stay in the air for 24 hours. The combat radius of the RQ-21A is up to 1000 kilometers. The drone is equipped with a laser rangefinder, as well as a set of electro-optical and infrared sensors.
As previously reported, delivery of RQ-21A aircraft to the US Navy is scheduled for 2017 as part of the STUAS (Small Tactical Unmanned Air System) program, which involves equipping troops with small tactical drones.
In addition to the US Navy, the US Marine Corps has shown interest in the RQ-21A drones. The Marines, as reported, will launch the vehicles primarily on land.
CHARACTERISTICS
Maximum take-off weight 61.2 kg
Empty weight 34 kg
Length: 2.5 m
Wingspan: 4.8 m
Engine: JP-5, JP-8
Range up to 1000 km
Flight duration 24 hours
Flight speed 100 km/h
Ceiling up to 6000 m
Payload weight 18 - 27 kg
Sources: www.insitu.com and others.
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