TheAeroVironment RQ-11 Raven is a small hand-launched remote-controlledunmanned aerial vehicle (orSUAV)[2] developed for theUnited States military, but now adopted by the military forces of many other countries.
The RQ-11 Raven was originally introduced as theFQM-151 in 1999, but in 2002 developed into its current form,[3] resembling an enlargedFAI class F1Cfree flight model aircraft in general appearance. The craft is launched by hand and powered by apusher configuration electric motor. The plane can fly up to 10 km at altitudes of approximately 150 mabove ground level, and over 4,500 m abovemean sea level, at flying speeds of 45–100 km/h.[4][unreliable source?] The U.S. Army deploys the Raven atcompany-level.[5]
The Raven RQ-11B UAS is manufactured by AeroVironment. It was the winner of the US Army'sSUAV program in 2005, and went into Full-Rate Production (FRP) in 2006. Shortly afterwards, it was also adopted by the US Marines, and the US Air Force for their ongoingFPASS Program. It has also been adopted by the military forces of many other countries (see below). More than 19,000 Raven airframes have been delivered to customers worldwide to date. A new Digital Data Link-enabled version of Raven now in production for US Forces and allies has improved endurance, among many other improvements.[citation needed]
The Raven can be either remotely controlled from the ground station or fly completely autonomous missions usingGPS waypoint navigation. The UA can be ordered to immediately return to its launch point by pressing a single command button.[1] Standard mission payloads includeCCD color video cameras and aninfrarednight vision camera.[citation needed]
The RQ-11B Raven UA weighs about 1.9 kg (4.2 lb), has a flight endurance of 60–90 minutes and an effective operational radius of approximately 10 km (6.2 miles).[6]
The RQ-11B Raven UA is launched by hand, thrown into the air like afree flight model airplane. The Raven lands itself by auto-piloting to a pre-defined landing point and then performing a 45° slope (1 foot down for every 1 foot forward) controlled "Autoland" descent. The UAS can provide day or night aerial intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance.[citation needed]
In mid-2015, the US Marine Corps testedHarris Corporation's Small Secure Data Link (SSDL), a radio device that fits onto a Raven's nose to provide beyond line-of-sight communications for Marines down to squad level. Acting as communications nodes for ground forces has become an important function for UASs, but has been restricted to larger platforms like theRQ-4 Global Hawk orRQ-21 Blackjack. Being certified for 'Secret' classification and at just 25 cubic inches (410 cm3) (measuring 3 in × 5.3 in × 1.6 in) and weighing 18 oz (510 g), the Harris SSDL allows the small Raven UAS to extend communications for troops in the field.[7]
In August 2015, selected units began receiving upgrades to their Raven sensors. The Raven Gimbal is a rotating camera with a 360-degreegimbal, which replaces the fixed camera that required maneuvering the aircraft to observe. The new camera can be switched between day and night settings without landing and swapping sensors.[8] In August 2017, Belgium bought 32 Raven-drones; Luxembourg bought 16.[citation needed]
Solar Raven – In November 2012, theAir Force Research Laboratory integrated 20 cm2 (3.1 in2) flexible solar panels into the Raven platform's wing sections using a clear, protective plastic film and an adhesive to augment the existing battery power system, increasing endurance by 60%. Future improvements include improving the durability of the solar panels and reducing their weight. Integration work is also being conducted on theAeroVironment Wasp and theRQ-20 Puma.[10][unreliable source?]
The British forces in Iraq used Raven equipment.[12] TheRoyal Danish Army acquired 12 Raven systems in September 2007; three systems will be delivered to theHuntsmen Corps, while the remainder will be deployed with soldiers from the Artillery Training Center.[13] A 2010 documentary film,Armadillo, shows Danish forces deploying a Raven in operations aroundFOB Armadillo in theHelmand province of Afghanistan. The drone also makes an appearance being used by theSEAL operators in the 2012 filmAct of Valor.[citation needed]
The Netherlands MoD has acquired 72 operational RQ-11B systems with a total value of $23.74 million for use within Army reconnaissance units, its Marine Corps and its Special Forces (KCT).[14] At the turn of the year 2009 to 2010 the systems were deployed above the village Veen, as part of the Intensification of Civil-Military Cooperation.[15] In 2012 and 2013 the Raven was loaned by the Defense department to the police department ofAlmere to combat burglary.[16]
In April 2011, the U.S. announced that it would be supplying 85 Raven B systems to the Pakistan Army.[citation needed]
In June 2011, the U.S. announced $145.4 million in proposed aid for anti-terror efforts in north and east Africa,[17] including four Raven systems to be used by forces from Uganda and Burundi as part of the ongoing African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia.[18] The US has also announced its intent to supply an unspecified number of Ravens to the Ukrainian armed forces.[19] Ukrainian operators criticized the Raven's analog control system that made them vulnerable to jamming and hacking by sophisticated Russian-backed separatists.[20]
Flight control module.
Iran has claimed it has captured two RQ-11, one "in Shahrivar 1390 (August 21 – September 19, 2011) and the other one in Aban (October 22 – November 20, 2012)".[21] It also indicated that "much of the data of these drones has been decoded", but did not indicate whether the drone has been duplicated, as has been done with theRQ-170 and theBoeing Insitu ScanEagle.[22]
In September 2016, the Kenya Army was introduced to the Raven, and would "now be able to take lessons learned from the Raven training and apply them" on operations.
In January 2023, theU.S. Marine Corps revealed they had retired the RQ-11B Raven SUAS in favor of theFLIR Systems R80 SkyRaider, aVTOL UAV that is easier to launch and recover and can provide a hover-and-stare surveillance capability.[23]
Kenyan Armed Forces - Kenya Army "Military Intelligence Battalion members received basic training on assembly, disassembly, repair, and preventative maintenance for the AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven as those topics relate to basic mission planning and advanced flight plans" during training held by personnel of 1st Battalion,124th Infantry Regiment (ARNG), deployed toCombined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa between September 8–24, 2016, at a training center in Kenya, giving the Kenyans "a new capability on the battlefield."[30]
^Tomlinson, Cpl Ryan L (2008-05-14)."Gunfighter debuts Raven". IIMEF, Official Site US Marine Corps, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Bn. Retrieved2010-02-23.[dead link]
^"RQ-11 Raven". Army-technology.com.Archived from the original on 2011-04-03. Retrieved2009-10-09.
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