RQ-21A Small UAV Completes First Ship-Based Flight

Feb. 13, 2013 defense-unmanned.com

(Source: US Naval Air Systems Command; issued Feb. 12, 2013)

RQ-21A Small Tactical Unmanned Air System Completes First Ship-Based Flight

GULF OF MEXICO --- The Navy's RQ-21A Small Tactical Unmanned Air System (STUAS) completed its first flight at sea Feb. 10 from the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19).

The system completed three months of land-based trial flights at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division in China Lake, Calif., before launching from a LPD-class ship.

The photograph shows the RQ-21A Small Tactical Unmanned Air System (STUAS) is recovered with the flight recovery apparatus cable on the flight deck of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) after its first flight at sea. Mesa Verde is underway conducting exercises in the Gulf of Mexico. (U.S. Navy photo)