U.S. surveillance drones based on a popular civilian powered glider design could be headed to the Indo-Pacific region in support of Marine special operators.
A recent U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) contracting notice has provided additional details about what has been referred to simply as the Long Endurance Aircraft (LEA) in the past and is now designated as the RQ-29. It also offers a new window into current and future operational plans for the drones, which are U.S. government-owned, but contractor-operated.
“MARSOC [U.S. Marine Forces Special Operations Command] operates the RQ-29 unmanned aerial system (UAS), a USSOCOM unique configuration UAS, to support Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) for USSOCOM operations,” according to the request for information notice, which was first posted online on August 8. “RQ-29 aircraft are equipped with Electro-Optical/Infrared, ISR sensors, signals intelligence payloads, and VORTEX video and data transceivers, and are deployed at remote locations Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS).”
“This requirement is for the procurement of aircrews and contractor logistics services on the RQ-29 system. A fully operational system consists of the RQ-29 air vehicle, USSOCOM unique payloads and mission systems, Ground Support Equipment (GSE), and Ground Control Stations (GCS),” the contracting notice adds. “The fully operational system will be split into two elements: a Mission Control Element (MCE) to execute the mission, and a Launch and Recovery Element (LRE) to launch, recover, and maintain the air vehicle. RQ-29 aircraft are based on Pipistrel Sinus light sport aircraft that are converted to UAS.”
The RQ-29 has a cruising speed of 100 knots and an operating ceiling of 17,000 feet, according to Technology Service Corporation (TSC), the company behind the drone. It has a maximum endurance of around 40 hours, but this is closer to 24 hours with a “full Mission Payload Suite,” TSC’s website says. The converted Sinus is also “capable of Line of Sight (LOS) and Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) operation through semi-autonomous functionality and ‘point and click’ operation.”
Source: The War Zone