https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AeroVironment_RQ-20_Puma
The AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma is a small, battery powered, American hand-launched
unmanned aircraft system produced by AeroVironment based in California. Primary
mission is surveillance and intelligence gathering using an electro-optical and
infrared camera.
Role
Remote controlled UAS
Manufacturer
AeroVironment
First flight
2007
Introduction
2008
Primary users
United States Army
United States Marine Corps
United States Air Force
Number built
1,000+
Unit cost
$250,000+
Previously selected for the United States Special Operations Command in 2008, in
March 2012 the United States Army ordered the Puma All Environment (AE) and
designated it the RQ-20A. In April, the United States Marine Corps and United
States Air Force placed a similar order for the RQ-20A. Each military RQ-20A
system has three air vehicles and two ground stations. The Puma AE can operate
under extreme weather conditions including temperatures ranging from -20 to 120
rain per hour.
On 26 July 2013, the Puma became one of the first unmanned aerial vehicles to be
granted certification by the Federal Aviation Administration to fly in U.S.
airspace for commercial purposes. AeroVironment expects one to be deployed to
Alaska to support oil spill response crews and count wildlife. The Puma can
safely accomplish observation missions in hazardous Arctic locations, which is
safer, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly than using manned aircraft.
Commercial certification was the result of previous military certification and
the Congressionally-mandated opening of airspace over much of Alaska to small
UAVs. The FAA also certified the Boeing Insitu ScanEagle, also planned to be
deployed to Alaska. Only three individual Pumas were certified with strict
requirements: only one aircraft of the type is allowed airborne at any one time,
they cannot fly through clouds or icing conditions, and they cannot take off or
land during certain gust and wind conditions. The certifications did not mention
line-of-sight control.
On 8 June 2014, the Puma AE made its first flight for BP in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska,
making it the first authorized unmanned commercial flight over land.
The UK tested ISR packages compatible with the Puma AE on board the M80 Stiletto
trials ship in November 2014 under Capability Demonstration 15-1.
On 20 January 2016, a number of RQ-20 were captured by the Turkish army from the
PKK. It is suspected that the Kurdish militants were able acquire these drones
from their Syrian affiliates.
In August 2016, AeroVironment announced the U.S. Navy had tested and deployed
the RQ-20B Puma aboard a Flight I Guided Missile Destroyer, which included the
company's Precision Recovery System to autonomously recover the aircraft aboard
a ship. The Puma is also being utilized on Navy patrol craft in the Persian
Gulf.
Specifications
General characteristics
Length: 4 ft 7 in (1.4 m)
Wingspan: 9 ft 2 in (2.8 m)
Max takeoff weight: 13 lb (5.9 kg)
Performance
Maximum speed: 52 mph; 45 kn (83 km/h)
Minimum control speed: 23 mph; 20 kn (37 km/h)
Range: 9 mi; 8 nmi (15 km)
Endurance: 2 hours
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