AMERICA’S ARMY WINNING IN A COMPLEX WORLD

ACAT I
RQ-7Bv2 Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aircraft
System (TUAS)
PEO Aviation | Redstone Arsenal, AL
WARFIGHTING
FUNCTION
Mission Command
Movement and Maneuver
Intelligence
Fires
Sustainment
Maneuver Support
and Protection
Engagement
ACQUISITION
LIFECYCLE PHASE
Materiel Solution Analysis
Technology Maturation &
Risk Reduction
Engineering & Manufacturing
Development
Production & Deployment
Operations & Support
MILESTONE DECISION
AUTHORITY
Defense Acquisition Executive
Army Acquisition Executive
Program Executive Officer
DESCRIPTION
The RQ-7Bv2 Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (TUAS)
provides reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition and force
protection for the Brigade Combat Team (BCT) in near-real-time
during day, night and limited adverse weather conditions. The system
is compatible with the All Source Analysis System, Advanced Field
Artillery Tactical Data System, Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar
System Common Ground Station, Joint Technical Architecture –
Army, the Defense Information Infrastructure Common Operating
Environment and the Universal Ground Control Station (UGCS). The
RQ-7Bv2 Shadow can be transported by six Air Force C-130 aircraft. It
is currently operational in both the Army and Marine Corps.
The RQ-7Bv2 Shadow configuration, fielded in platoon sets, consists of:
• Four air vehicles with day and night electro-optical (EO) and
infrared (IR) with laser designator (LD) and IR illuminator payloads
• Two UGCS on High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles
• Four One System Remote Video Transceivers
• One hydraulic launcher
• Two ground data terminals
• Associated trucks, trailers and support equipment
Shadow platoons are organic to the BCT. The Soldier platoon consists
of a platoon leader, platoon sergeant, unmanned aerial vehicle warrant
officer, 12 Air Vehicle Operators and Mission Payload Operators, 4
electronic warfare repair personnel, and 3 engine mechanics supporting
launch and recovery. The Maintenance Section Multifunctional is
manned by Soldiers who also transport spares and provide maintenance
support. The Mobile Maintenance Facility is manned by contractor
personnel located with the Shadow platoon to provide logistics support
to include off-system support and maintenance-by-repair.
The Shadow also has an early entry configuration of 15 Soldiers, one
Ground Control Station, the air vehicle transport High Mobility
Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, and the launcher trailer, which can be
transported in three C-130s. All components can be slung under a CH-
47 or CH-53 helicopter for transport.
BENEFIT TO THE WARFIGHTER
The RQ-7Bv2 provides Army BCT, Aviation Brigades and Special
Operation Units dedicated near-real-time reconnaissance, surveillance
and target acquisition; intelligence; battle damage assessment; and
Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) capability. The RQ-7Bv2,
teamed with the AH-64D/E, provides support and situational awareness
to both the Soldier on the ground and warfighting leadership as they
carry out operations in support of U.S. national interests.
SPECIFICATIONS
• Wingspan: 20 feet
• Gross takeoff weight: 440-plus pounds
• Payload capacity: 60 pounds
• Endurance: 8-plus hours on-station at a distance of 50 km
• Capable of cooperative engagements with AH-64E Apache
for MUM-T
PROGRAM STATUS
• Current: In production and deployment with the V2 configuration;
flown more than 960,000 hours, 90 percent of it in combat
PROJECTED ACTIVITIES
• FY16-17: Continue fielding v2 block upgrade to the Heavy Armed
Reconnaissance Squadrons in accordance with the Aviation
Restructure Initiative; procure second source EO, IR, and LD
payloads and Block III engines
88
UNITED STATES ARMY