AAI Corporation (now Textron Systems) RQ-7B Shadow

Spotters.Nation 🌵

6h ago · © Unknown

AAI RQ-7B Shadow tactical UAV displayed in a museum hangar, a workhorse of modern battlefield surveillance.

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Rockwell International Space Shuttle Enterprise

Aircraft

RQ-7B Shadow RQ-7B

Military gray (standard for US Army UAVs)

Manufacturer

AAI Corporation (now Textron Systems)

Gear

Canon EOS Rebel T7 EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II

Achievements

Rare Bird, Military Maverick

2 badges earned

Photo grade

Score: 62.0

Strong backlighting silhouettes the aircraft, making details hard to see; side-on angle is good but overall image feels too dark.

Location

Falcon Field

MSC/KFFZ

33.4608, -111.7280

Open map

Falcon Field MSC

Airport

Insights

Aviation History

One of the key tactical unmanned aerial systems (TUAS) used by the US Army and Marines since the early 2000s, providing reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

Fleet Rarity

Common within US military UAV fleets; over 500 built, but rare in civilian or commercial contexts.

Record Flights

Used extensively in Iraq and Afghanistan for tactical ISR missions. No specific record flights noted, but very high operational sortie numbers in combat zones.

Safety & Events

Frequent operational losses due to technical faults and difficult tactical deployments, though non-fatal as unmanned. Proven in combat through many deployments.

Future Outlook

Many remain in active service, but gradually being replaced by more modern UAVs; many retired airframes may go to museums or training use.

Specifications

Wankel rotary engine (AR741)

Engine

4.3 meters

Wingspan

3.6 meters

Length

125 kilometers (data link limited)

Range

148 kilometers per hour

Speed

Payload: 27 kilograms

Capacity

170 kilograms

MTOW

0.9 meters

Height

38 hp (28 kW)

Thrust

Not publicly specified (unmanned, military, small piston engine)

Noise