ScanEagle

Definition/Scope: ScanEagle carries an inertially stabilized electro-optical and/or infrared camera on a light-weight inertially stabilized turret system integrated with communications range over 100 km, and flight endurance of 20+ hours. ScanEagle has a 10-foot (3 m) wingspan and can fly up to 75 knots (139 km/h). It is launched using a pneumatic launcher called the "SuperWedge" launcher. It is recovered using the "SkyHook" retrieval system, which uses a hook on the end of the wingtip to catch a rope hanging from a 30 to 50-foot (15 m) pole. This is made possible by a high-quality differential GPS units mounted on the top of the pole and UAV. The rope is attached to a shock cord to reduce stress on the airframe imposed by the abrupt stop. The ScanEagle entered service with the U.S. Navy in 2005.

Used For:

ISR

Broader Terms:

Army aircraft
Tier II (UAV)
UAS
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Unmanned Aircraft System
Unmanned Aircraft System (by name)

Related Terms:

Battle Damage Assessment
Bell Eagle Eye
CQ-10 Snowgoose
Force Protection
Global Hawk
Hunter
Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance
Micro Air Vehicle
MQ-1 Predator
MQ-8B Fire Scout
MQ-9 Reaper
Raven
RQ-11 Raven
RQ-4 Global Hawk
RQ-5 Hunter
RQ-7 Shadow
RQ-7A Shadow
search and rescue
Shadow
Sky Warrior
WASP