The US Navy has begun initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) of the new Insitu-built small unmanned aircraft system, RQ-21A Blackjack, at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, California.
During the testing, the first low-rate initial production (LRIP) lot of the Blackjack, previously known as RQ-21A small tactical unmanned aircraft system (STUAS), will validated its effectiveness and suitability in realistic combat conditions.
According to NAVAIR, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 1 will undertake IOT&E testing on the Blackjack for the next several months, before handing over to Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 2, located at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, for operational use. Initial operating capability (IOC) for the Blackjack is set for later in 2014.
News that IOT&E has now begun comes two months after Boeing subsidiary company Insitu was awarded a USD8.8 million contract modification to supply an additional RQ-21A system to augment the one already under contract. One system comprises five Blackjack aircraft (dubbed Integrator by the company), two ground control stations, as well as a pneumatic catapult launcher and a SkyHook recovery system.
The Blackjack’s baseline payload comprises an electro-optic sensor, a mid-wave infrared (IR) imager, an IR marker, and a laser rangefinder. The tactical UAS has a cruise speed of 55 kt, a service ceiling of 19,500 ft, and an endurance of 24 hours.
Source: Defense World