The RQ-11B Raven unmanned aircraft system is a 4.5-pound, backpackable, hand-launched sensor platform that provides day and night, real-time video imagery wirelessly to a portable ground control station for “over the hill” and “around the corner” reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition in support of tactical units. Raven systems now come equipped with AeroVironment’s fully stabilized Mantis™ gimbaled payload, incorporating electro-optical and infrared video sensors and a laser illuminator. U.S. armed forces use Raven systems extensively for missions such as base security, route reconnaissance, mission planning and force protection. Each Raven system typically consists of three aircraft, two ground control stations and spares.
Photo by Senior Airman Elliott Sprehe
USES (Military):
BDA (Battle Damage Assessment)
ISR (Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance)
Peacekeeping
“Around the Corner” Force Protection
Target ID
Target Designation
EOT (Eyes on Target)
USES (Non-Military):
Aerial Mapping
Crop growth surveys
Forest Fire Damage Assessment
Firefighter Safety Monitoring
Disaster Response
Commercial Photography
Herd Locating for Hunters
Data gathering for Earth Scientists
RQ-11B testing in the desert
RQ-11B RAVEN STATS:
WEIGHT: 4.2 lbs (1.9 kg)
LENGTH: 36 inches (109 cm)
WINGSPAN: 55 inches (130 cm)
ENGINE: Aveox 27/26/7-AV electric motor
MAX ALTITUDE: 300 meters
ENDURANCE: 1 hour Max Aloft Time
MAX RANGE: 16km diameter circle around GCS (8 km from ground station)
