The RQ-7B Shadow Unmanned Aircraft System conducted its first-ever test flight under the direction of NAWC Aircraft Division’s UAS Test Directorate at Webster Field, Md., June 21.
“Having a RQ-7B at the UAS Test Directorate allows for the test and evaluation of system enhancements and ultimately provides the ability to quickly get new technologies into the hands of Marines,” said Col. Jim Rector, programme manager for Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical UAS programme office (PMA-263).
PMA-263 establishes and prioritizes the requirements and capabilities that need to be tested and evaluated for its various UAS programmes. The directorate then executes developmental T&E in direct support of the programme office’s requirements.
“This first test flight of the UAS Test Directorate’s RQ-7B Shadow UAS marks an important T&E milestone for the organization and its ability to support rapid integration and testing of new capabilities for the warfighter,” said Greg Oliver, lead test engineer for the Shadow UAS programme.
PMA-263’s Shadow UAS flew 6.3 hours in support of the Wide Focal Plane Array Camera (WFPAC) payload development effort. The WFPAC payload is an alternative to the existing electro optic/infrared payload turret currently installed on the Shadow and provides persistent surveillance capability over a wide search area.
“One of the key attributes of WFPAC will be its ability to provide on-demand, actionable, and real-time streaming video to multiple battlefield commanders. The WFPAC is just one of many planned RQ-7B Shadow enhancements currently in work at PMA-263,” Rector added.
The UAS Test Directorate will be conducting the initial flight testing of the WFPAC payload at Webster Field in September 2011. Other upcoming flight tests for the Shadow UAS include integration and test of the Software Reprogrammemable Payload (SRP), UHF Communications Relay integration and test and notched flap testing.
The RQ-7B Shadow is currently operated by U.S. Marine Corps Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadrons (VMUs) in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Marine Corps VMUs also operated Shadow in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The Shadow has flown more than 25,000 flight hours to date since it was fielded in May 2007.
Source: The Bay Net