RQ-11 Raven

The AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven is a remote-controlled miniature unmanned aerial vehicle (or MUAV) used by the U.S. military and its allies. The craft 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) above ground level (AGL), and 15,000 feet mean sea level (MSL), at flying speed of 28-60 mph.

Design and development

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 $25,000 and the total system costs $250,000. [ [http://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/systems/raven.htm globalsecurity.org RQ-11 Raven] ]

The Raven is used by the US Army, Marine Corps, and Special Forces Command of the United States. Additionally, US allies such as Australia, Italy, Denmark, and Spain have also begun acquiring it, with more countries expected over the next few years. As of early 2008, over 8,000 airframes have already been shipped, making it the most prolific UAV system in the world today.Fact|date=February 2008

The British forces in Iraq are using U.S. Raven equipment and personnel on loan. [ [http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/RavenKeepsALookoutOverIraq.htm Raven keeps a lookout over Iraq - MOD] ] Denmark acquired 12 Raven systems in September 2007 - three systems will be delivered to the Army Special Forces, while the remainder will be deployed with soldiers from the Danish Army's Artillery Training Center. [ [http://forsvaret.dk/FMT/Nyt+og+Presse/RAVEN+B.htm Press release (in Danish)] ]

The Netherlands will acquire an unspecified number of RQ-11B systems for a total value of $7.7 million. [ [http://www.avinc.com/pr_detail.asp?ID=75 "Netherlands Ministry of Defence Selects AeroVironment's Raven Small UAS"] , "AeroVironment, Inc.", 30 May 2008]

Variants

;RQ-11A Raven A (no longer in production)

;RQ-11B Raven B

Operators

;AUS ;DEN;ESP ;ITA;NLD ;UK;USA

pecifications

*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

References

*"Popular Science", March 2006, pg. 12

ee also

aircontent

sequence=

lists=
* List of active United States military aircraft

see also=
*EMT Aladin
* Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
* History of unmanned aerial vehicles

External links

* [http://www.newsweek.com/id/139683 Newsweek's Interactive Graphic. Raven: The Tiniest Drone]
* [http://www.american-interrupted.com/media/video/Raven%20Take%20Off.wmv Video of RQ-11 Raven launch from building in Najaf, Iraq]
* [http://www.danskpanser.dk/UAV/Raven.htm Danish page about Raven]
* [http://www.avinc.com/UAS.asp AeroVironment, Inc.)