RQ-21A could get VTOL kit as part of upgrades

Speaking at the Unmanned Systems Defense, Protection, Security virtual conference on Sept. 9, Rear Adm. Brian Corey, program executive officer – Unmanned and Strike Weapons, told the audience that a series of upgrades to the RQ-21A unmanned air vehicle is being planned.

RQ-21A Blackjack before launch at MCAS Cherry Point in March 2016
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird / Public domain


“Some of our future initiatives include beyond-line-of-sight capability; a vertical-takeoff-and-landing kit; a bandwidth-efficient common data link, and a portable ground-control station,” Corey was quoted as saying.

The drone is now able to take off and land without using a runway by being pneumatically launched and is recovered with the aid of the skyhook system.

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