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Boeing Insitu RQ-21 Blackjack

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RQ-21 Blackjack
RQ-21A Small Tactical Unmanned Air System (STUAS) in flight
Role Unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance aerial vehicle
National origin United States
Manufacturer Insitu wholly owned subsidiary of
Boeing Defense, Space & Security
First flight 28 July 2012
Introduction April 2014
Status In service
Primary users United States Marine Corps
United States Navy
Australian Army[1]
Number built 109 systems with 5 air vehicles each (estimated through FY2017)[2][3][4][5]
Developed from Boeing Insitu ScanEagle

The Boeing Insitu RQ-21 Blackjack, company name Integrator, is an American unmanned air vehicle designed and built by Boeing Insitu to meet a United States Navy requirement for a small tactical unmanned air system (STUAS).[6] It is a twin-boom, single-engine monoplane, designed as a supplement to the Boeing Scan Eagle.[6] The Integrator weighs 61 kg (134 lb) and uses the same launcher and recovery system as the Scan Eagle.[6]

Development

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The RQ-21 was selected in June 2010 over the Raytheon Killer Bee, AAI Aerosonde, and General Dynamics/Elbit Systems Storm.[7]

The RQ-21A Integrator first flew on 28 July 2012.[6] On 10 September 2012, the Integrator entered developmental testing with a 66-minute flight. The Navy launched one using a pneumatic launcher and a recovery system known as Skyhook. This eliminates the need for runways and enables a safe recovery and expeditionary capability for tactical missions on land or sea. At the current testing rate, Initial Operational Capability (IOC) was expected in 2013.[8]

On 10 February 2013, the Integrator completed its first at-sea flight from the USS Mesa Verde, a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock. This followed completing three months of land-based flights.[9]

On 19 February 2013, Insitu completed the first flight of the RQ-21A Block II. It weighs 121 lb (55 kg) and flew for 2 hours. It was controlled by a new ground control system meant to integrate dissimilar UAV systems. The Block II has the sensor from the Nighteagle, the night version of the ScanEagle, and is designed to operate in high-temperature environments.[10]

On 15 May 2013, the Department of the Navy announced that the RQ-21A Integrator received Milestone C approval authorizing the start of low-rate initial production. With Milestone C approval, the Integrator entered production and deployment.[11]

On 12 June 2013, the RQ-21A completed its first East Coast flight from Webster Field Annex, starting the next phase of tests for the Integrator. The UAV was launched with a pneumatic launcher, flew for 1.8 hours, and was recovered with an Insitu-built system known as the STUAS Recovery System (SRS), which allows safe recovery of the STUAS on land or at sea. This phase of testing was to validate updates made to the aircraft which include software, fuselage, and camera enhancements. The Integrator was test flown at lower density altitudes. Integrated Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) was scheduled for October 2013.[12]

In September 2013, the Integrator was renamed the RQ-21A Blackjack. On 28 November 2013, the U.S. Navy awarded Boeing Insitu an $8.8 million contract for one low-rate production aircraft in preparation for full-rate production.[13]

In January 2014, the first low-rate production RQ-21A Blackjack began IOT&E for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. Testing was conducted over the next several months to demonstrate its effectiveness in realistic combat conditions.[14] The Navy ordered three Blackjack systems in December 2014.[15] By July 2015, the Navy had received two Blackjack systems.[16] In July 2018, the Marines phased out the RQ-7 Shadow in favor of the Blackjack.[17]

Design

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The RQ-21A Blackjack is designed to support the U.S. Marine Corps by providing forward reconnaissance. A Blackjack system is composed of five air vehicles and two ground control systems. The air vehicles can be launched on land or on a ship by a rail and land using a "skyhook" recovery system, where a vertical wire must be hooked onto its wing; when on the ground, the launch and recovery systems are towable by vehicles. Its wingspan is 16 ft (4.9 m) and it can carry a 39 lb (18 kg) payload. The day/night camera can achieve resolution rating of 7 on the NIIRS scale at 8,000 ft (2,400 m).[7]

The Marines are working with Insitu to modify the Blackjack fuselage to carry greater and more various payloads. Enlarging the fuselage would increase its maximum takeoff weight from 135 lb (61 kg) to 145 lb (66 kg) and lengthen endurance from 16 hours to 24 hours. New turrets are being explored as well as other payloads including a synthetic-aperture radar to track ground targets, a laser designator to mark targets for precision-guided munitions, and foliage-penetration capabilities for foreign customers operating in lush environments.[7] The Office of Naval Research (ONR) plans to add a sensor to the Blackjack that combines an electro-optical camera, wide area imager, short wave infrared hyperspectral imager, and a high-resolution camera for use as an inspection sensor into a single payload by 2020.[18]

In Marines service, the Blackjack sometimes uses the designation MQ-21,[19] where the 'M' prefix indicates a multipurpose operations platform, versus the 'R' prefix indicating a primary reconnaissance mission.[20]

Operational history

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Sailors recover a RQ-21A at sea

The U.S. Marine Corps deployed its first RQ-21A Blackjack system to Afghanistan in late April 2014. One Blackjack system is composed of five air vehicles, two ground control systems, and launch and recovery support equipment. It supports intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions using multi-intelligence payloads including day and night full-motion video cameras, an infrared marker, a laser range finder, a communications relay package, and automatic identification system receivers.[21] The models in Afghanistan were early operational capability (EOC) aircraft without shipboard software or testing. Deploying the aircraft on the ground was a method to detect and fix problems early to avoid delaying the project.[7] The RQ-21 returned from its deployment on 10 September 2014 after flying nearly 1,000 hours in 119 days in theater. EOC Blackjacks will continue to be used for training, while completion of shipboard testing is planned to result in the system's first ship-based deployment in spring 2015.[22]

The Marine Corps declared Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the RQ-21A Blackjack in January 2016.[23] During the summer of 2016, MARSOC deployed the RQ-21A to Iraq.[24]

Full rate productions of the RQ-21A has been delayed because of serious system quality issues. The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) issued reviews on the program in 2013, 2014, and 2015. The 2015 report indicates that many of these issues have not been resolved, despite OSD reporting issues in previous years. The 2015 report stated that the RQ-21A was "not operationally effective", "not operationally suitable", that the "system has exploitable cyber security vulnerabilities, and the overall assessment pointed out several major requirements failures.[25]

The fielding of the RQ-21A Blackjack unmanned aerial system achieved full operational capability in 2019.[26] In March 2020, the RQ-21A Blackjack team at Patuxent River was awarded the NAVAIR Commander's Award for Platform Team With Highest Readiness.[27] In April 2021, the Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support (NAVSUP WSS) Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Integrated Weapon System Team (IWST) was able to support the achievement of both 100% Mission Capable (MC) and 100% Fully Mission Capable (FMC) rate for the UAS RQ-21A "Blackjack" platform; a feat rarely, if ever, seen by any Type Model Series.[28]

Variants

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Operators

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Map with RQ-21 Blackjack operators in blue, as of 2024
 Australia
 Bangladesh
 Belgium
 Brunei
 Canada
  • Canadian Army – 2 systems with 5 aircraft ordered in 2016. A second system with 5 aircraft ordered in 2019 for delivery in summer 2022.[33][34] The DND was also the first international customer for the UAS.[35]
  • Royal Canadian Navy – The RQ-21 Blackjack UAV contract was extended to include the installation of UAV launch, recovery and control capability on all Halifax-class patrol frigates.[36]
 Netherlands
 Poland
 Thailand
 United States

An unidentified Middle Eastern customer purchased six systems.[7]

Specifications

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Data from [42] Product Page

General characteristics

  • Length: 8.2 ft (2.5 m)
  • Wingspan: 16 ft (4.9 m)
  • Empty weight: 81 lb (37 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 135 lb (61 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × EFI Piston Engine, 8 hp (6.0 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 100 mph (170 km/h, 90 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 63 mph (100 km/h, 55 kn)
  • Range: 58 mi (93 km, 50 nmi) [24]
  • Endurance: 16 hours
  • Service ceiling: 19,500 ft (5,900 m)

See also

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Related development

Related lists

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Australian Army invests $650 million in uncrewed aerial systems | Department of Defence Ministers". Minister.defence.gov.au. 11 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  2. ^ "APPROPRIATION/BUDGET ACTIVITY 1319: Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, Navy BA 7: Operational Systems Development" (PDF). PE 0305234M: (U)RQ-21A (STUASL0). U.S. Navy. February 2012. pp. 1, 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 June 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
  3. ^ a b Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (April 2012). "Department of Defense Report to Congress on Future Unmanned Aircraft Systems Training, Operations, and Sustainability" (PDF). U.S. Department of Defense. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 June 2013. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
  4. ^ "The Boeing Insitu RQ-21 Integrator UAV is expected to reach operational capability in the US military during 2013". Military Factory. 4 March 2013. Archived from the original on 24 September 2013.
  5. ^ OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (COMPTROLLER) / CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. "PROGRAM ACQUISITION COST BY WEAPON SYSTEM" (PDF). UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FISCAL YEAR 2014 BUDGET REQUEST. U.S. Department of Defense. p. 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 September 2013. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
  6. ^ a b c d "RQ-21A Integrator completes first flight". Archived from the original on 10 August 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  7. ^ a b c d e f U.S. Marine Corps Explores Extended-Range Blackjack Archived 13 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine - Aviationweek.com, 12 May 2014
  8. ^ Navy, Marines Begin RQ-21 Developmental Flight Testing Archived 2 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine - Newsmilitary.com, 11 September 2012
  9. ^ RQ-21A Small Tactical Unmanned Air System Completes First Ship-Based Flight Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine - NAVAIR.Navy.mil, 12 February 2013
  10. ^ Insitu completes RQ-21A Block II first flight Archived 2 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine - Flightglobal.com, 19 February 2013
  11. ^ Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical UAS Enters Production Phase Archived 11 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine - NAVAIR.Navy.mil, 21 May 2013
  12. ^ RQ-21A Small UAS Completes First East Coast Flight Archived 3 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine - Navy.mil, 14 June 2013
  13. ^ Navy buys one Insitu RQ-21A Blackjack UAV in preparation for ramping-up production Archived 3 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine - sUASNews.com, 29 November 2013
  14. ^ RQ-21A Blackjack begins operational test phase Archived 1 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine - NAVAIR.Navy.mil, 28 January 2014
  15. ^ US NAVAIR orders three Blackjack UAV systems Archived 8 January 2015 at the Wayback Machine - Flightglobal.com, 8 January 2015
  16. ^ US Navy purchases six more Insitu RQ-21A Blackjack systems Archived 3 August 2015 at the Wayback Machine - Flightglobal.com, 30 July 2015
  17. ^ Marines Bring Shadow Operations to an End Archived 5 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Aviation International News. 2 August 2018.
  18. ^ US Navy orders super-sensor for RQ-21 UAS Archived 15 October 2015 at the Wayback Machine - Flightglobal.com, 14 October 2015
  19. ^ [1] Archived 28 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine - Aviationweek.com, 27 October 2016
  20. ^ [2] Archived 18 May 2019 at the Wayback Machine - Designationsystems.net, 2018
  21. ^ Marines deploy with 1st, unmanned RQ-21A Blackjack system Archived 8 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine - Asdnews.com, 8 May 2014
  22. ^ Small UAS returns from first operational deployment - NAVAIR.Navy.mil, 25 September 2014
  23. ^ United States Marines Corps to procure one hundred UAV Blackjack systems by 2017 Archived 24 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine - Armyrecognition.com, 22 January 2016
  24. ^ a b Marine Special Operators Fly New Surveillance Drone in Iraq Archived 2 March 2019 at the Wayback Machine - Military.com, 8 October 2016
  25. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 September 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  26. ^ Burgess, Richard R. (16 January 2020). "Blackjack UAS Fielding Complete for Navy, Marine Corps". Seapower. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  27. ^ "Twentieth annual Commander's Awards celebrate teams, teamwork". NAVAIR. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  28. ^ "NAVSUP WSS supports achievement of 100% readiness rate". Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  29. ^ Pole, Ken (4 December 2017). "Blackjack: Army hits 21 with new ace in the sky". Canadian Army Today.com/. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  30. ^ "Bangladesh Army to receive US-made Boeing Insitu RQ-21A Blackjack UAVs". Air Recognition. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  31. ^ Article about purchase of both RQ-20 and RQ-21
  32. ^ "RBAF to use drones for maritime security surveillance". 31 May 2021.
  33. ^ "Battery Operated". Canadian Army Today. 15 March 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  34. ^ "Boeing's Insitu To Supply RQ-21A, ScanEagle Drones To US, Poland, Canada, Oman". DefenseWorld.Net. 29 June 2019. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  35. ^ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/canada-surveillance-drones-military-1.3680290 Archived 5 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine - CBCNews, 15 July 2016
  36. ^ "Boeing: Boeing Canada - Backgrounder". Archived from the original on 9 October 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  37. ^ Article about ScanEagle and RQ-21 Archived 16 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine - dutchdefencepress.com, Oktober 12, 2012
  38. ^ Jennings, Gareth (8 February 2018). "Poland to acquire Integrator STUAS". IHS Jane's 360. London. Archived from the original on 9 February 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  39. ^ Jennings, Gareth (3 April 2018). "Poland acquires Blackjack UAS". IHS Jane's 360. London. Archived from the original on 13 April 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  40. ^ "Dodatkowy Blackjack dla polskich specjalsów - Defence24". 23 August 2018. Archived from the original on 29 August 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  41. ^ "Archived copy". Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  42. ^ "RQ-21A Blackjack — Insitu". Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
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