RQ-21 Blackjack

RQ-21 Blackjack is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by Insitu, a subsidiary of Boeing, in collaboration with Northrop Grumman and the United States Navy. The RQ-21 Blackjack is designed to provide Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to support United States Marine Corps and United States Navy operations, with its development influenced by the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021). The program has involved partnerships with various organizations, including NASA, Lockheed Martin, and General Dynamics. The RQ-21 Blackjack has undergone testing and evaluation at facilities such as the Naval Air Station Patuxent River and the McDonnell Douglas test range.

● Development

The development of the RQ-21 Blackjack began in the early 2000s, with Insitu and Northrop Grumman forming a partnership to design and build the UAV, leveraging expertise from MIT and Stanford University. The program was influenced by the Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) program, which involved companies such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman. The RQ-21 Blackjack was designed to meet the requirements of the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps, with input from United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The development process involved collaboration with various organizations, including NASA, General Dynamics, and Raytheon Technologies, and was supported by funding from the United States Department of Defense (DoD) and the Office of Naval Research (ONR).

● Design

The RQ-21 Blackjack is a twin-boom, single-engine UAV with a wingspan of 16 feet (4.9 meters) and a length of 8 feet (2.4 meters), designed to operate in conjunction with systems such as the AN/ZPY-1 STARLite and the AN/TPQ-53 Quick Reaction Capability Radar. The airframe is made of carbon fiber and aluminum, with a honeycomb structure to provide strength and durability, similar to the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit. The RQ-21 Blackjack is powered by a Brushless DC electric motor and has a maximum takeoff weight of 135 pounds (61 kilograms), allowing it to carry payloads such as the AN/DAS-4 and the Wescam MX-10. The UAV has a service ceiling of 19,500 feet (5,943 meters) and can stay aloft for up to 16 hours, supported by ground control systems such as the Ground Control Station (GCS) and the Common Data Link (CDL).

● Operational History

The RQ-21 Blackjack has been deployed in support of various operations, including the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021) and the Iraq War, with units such as the United States Marine Corps and the United States Navy utilizing the UAV in conjunction with other systems such as the MQ-8 Fire Scout and the MQ-4C Triton. The RQ-21 Blackjack has also been used in support of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts, such as the response to Hurricane Katrina and the 2010 Haiti earthquake, with support from organizations such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross. The UAV has undergone testing and evaluation at facilities such as the Naval Air Station Patuxent River and the McDonnell Douglas test range, with participation from companies such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman.

● Operators

The RQ-21 Blackjack is operated by the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps, with other countries such as Canada and Australia also operating the UAV, often in conjunction with other systems such as the CP-140 Aurora and the P-8 Poseidon. The RQ-21 Blackjack is used by various units, including the United States Marine Corps' VMU-1 and VMU-2, and the United States Navy's VUP-19, with support from organizations such as the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR).

● Specifications

The RQ-21 Blackjack has a length of 8 feet (2.4 meters) and a wingspan of 16 feet (4.9 meters), with a maximum takeoff weight of 135 pounds (61 kilograms) and a service ceiling of 19,500 feet (5,943 meters). The UAV is powered by a Brushless DC electric motor and has a cruise speed of 60 knots (111 kilometers per hour), allowing it to carry payloads such as the AN/DAS-4 and the Wescam MX-10. The RQ-21 Blackjack has a range of 50 nautical miles (93 kilometers) and can stay aloft for up to 16 hours, supported by ground control systems such as the Ground Control Station (GCS) and the Common Data Link (CDL).

● Variants

There are several variants of the RQ-21 Blackjack, including the RQ-21A and the RQ-21B, with different payload options and sensor suites, such as the AN/ZPY-1 STARLite and the AN/TPQ-53 Quick Reaction Capability Radar. The RQ-21 Blackjack has also been used as a testbed for various technologies, including autonomous systems and artificial intelligence, with participation from companies such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman. The UAV has undergone testing and evaluation at facilities such as the Naval Air Station Patuxent River and the McDonnell Douglas test range, with support from organizations such as the NASA and the Office of Naval Research (ONR).

Category:Unmanned aerial vehicles