Home > RQ-2 Pioneer
Developed jointly by AAI Corporation and Israel Aircraft Industries, the RQ-2 Pioneer unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has served with United States Navy, Marine, and Army units, deploying aboard ship and ashore since 1986. Initially deployed aboard battleships to provide gunnery spotting, its mission evolved into reconnaissance and surveillance, primarily for amphibious forces. Launched by rocket assist (shipboard), by catapult, or from a runway, it recovers into a net (shipboard) or with arresting gear after flying up to 4 hours with a 75-pound payload. It flies with a gimbaled EO/IR sensor, relaying analog video in real time via a C-band line-of-sight (LOS) data link. Since 1991, Pioneer has flown reconnaissance missions during the Persian Gulf, Bosnia, and Kosovo conflicts. In 2000, the Navy operated three Pioneer systems (one for training) and the Marines two, each with five aircraft. Pioneer was replaced by the Fire Scout Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical UAV (VTUAV).The "R" is the Department of Defense designation for reconnaissance; "Q" means unmanned aircraft system. The "2" refers to it being the second of a series of purpose-built unmanned reconnaissance aircraft systems. See also RQ-1 PredatorThe RQ-1 Predator is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) which the U. Air Force describes as a "medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle system. The aircraft can carry, and use, two AGM-114 Hellfire missiles. The aircraft has been in use since, RQ-3 Dark StarThe RQ-3 Dark Star unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was operated by the US Air Force. Its first flight was in 1996, and the program was cancelled in 1999. The industry trade magazine Aviation Week & Space Technology which is generally considered to be accura, RQ-4 Global HawkThe RQ-4 Global Hawk is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) used by the US Air Force as a surveillance aircraft. In role and design, it is somewhat similar to the Lockheed U-2, the venerable 1950's spy plane. It is a theater commander's asset to both provide, RQ-5 HunterThe RQ-5 Hunter unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was originally intended to serve as the United States Army's Short Range UAV system for division and corps commanders. It took off and landed (using arresting gear) on runways. It used a gimbaled EO/IR sensor, RQ-6 OutriderThe RQ-6 Outrider unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was designed to provide near-real-time reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition information to Marine air/ground task forces, Army brigades, and deployed Navy units that was small enough for an e, and RQ-7 ShadowThe RQ-7 Shadow unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is used by the United States Army to support to ground maneuver commanders. Launched from a rail, it is recovered with the aid of arresting gear similar to jets on an aircraft carrier. Its liquid nitrogen cool.
General Characteristics
- Primary Function: gunnery spotting, reconnaissance and surveillance for amphibious forces
- Contractor: Pioneer UAVs, Incorporated ; Israeli Aerial Industries
- Power Plant:
- Length: 4.3 meters (14 feet)
- Height:
- Weight: 205 kilograms (452 pounds)
- Wingspan: 5.2 meters (17 feet)
- Speed:
- Range: four hours at 180 kilometers (100 nautical miles)
- Ceiling: 4600 meters (15,000 feet)
- Fuel Capacity:
- Payload:
- System Cost:
- Inventory:
US military reconnaissance aircraft 1980-1989
UAVs and drones
Israel Aircraft Industries
