Function: Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) specifically developed to provide RSTA support to ground manuever forces.





History: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are either remotely or autonomous pilotless drones typically used for reconnaissance. UAVs can trace their roots back to the AQM-34N Firebee. Derived from the Ryan Aeronautical Company Firebee sub-sonic target drone, the AQM-34N had a range of more than 2,400 miles, could fly above 65,000 feet, and had a top speed of 420 miles per hour. During the Vietnam war the Firebee recon drones were made more maneuverable and equipped with electronic countermeasures and jamming equipment to defend them from surface to air missiles and air interception.



UAVs are generally equipped with a payload bay which can house a variety of sensor packages, allowing mission planners to tailor the UAV's sensors for a specific mission requirement.



UAVs are generally divided into two categories: Tactical and Endurance. Tactical UAVs typically have a range of at least 200km while Endurance UAVs have a range beyond 200km.





Description: the Shadow TUAV is currently undergoing initial operational test and evaluation incident to fielding at the brigade level starting in 2002.







?General Characteristics, Shadow UAV





Manufacturer:

AAI







Control:

Mission pre-programmed, manual;

manual launch and recovery







Range:

120 miles







Wingspan:

14 feet







Length:

12 feet













Speed:

84 knots







Endurance:

6 hours







Service Ceiling:

15,000 feet







Payloads:

EO, IR







Weight:

320 lbs.