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The RQ-11A / RQ-11B Raven is a remote-controlled miniature unmanned aerial vehicle (or MUAV) used by the U.S. military. The craft produced by AeroVironment is launched by hand and powered by an electric motor. The plane can fly up to 6.2 miles (10 km) up to altitudes of 1,000 feet (305 m) AGL, and 15,000 feet MSL, at flying speed of 28-60 mph.

The Raven can be either remotely controlled from the ground station or fly completely autonomous missions using GPS waypoint navigation. The UAV can be ordered to immediately return to its launch point simply by pressing a single command button. Standard mission payloads include CCD color video and an infrared night vision camera.

A single Raven costs about $35,000 and the total system costs $250,000.^[1]

Raven is the standard SUAS for the US Army, USSOCOM, and now the US Marine Corps. As of early 2007, over 5,000 airframes have already been shipped, making it the most prolific UAV system in the world today. Additionally, US allies such as Australia, Italy, and Denmark have also begun acquiring it, with more countries expected over the next few years.

Contents 1 Specifications 2 Operators 3 Trivia 4 References 5 External links 6 Related content

• Wing Span 4 ft 3 in
• Length 3 ft 7 in
• Weight 4.2 lb
• Engine Aveox 27/26/7-AV electric motor
• Cruising speed 60 mph
• Range 6.2 miles
• Endurance approx. 80 min

•  United States
•  United Kingdom
  • The British forces in Iraq are using U.S. Raven equipment and personnel on loan.^[2]
•  Italy
•  Australia
•  Denmark
  • Denmark acquired 12 Ravens in September 2007 - 3 of the UAVs will be delivered to the Army Special Forces, while the rest of 9 will be deployed at the Danish Army's Artillery Training Center. ^[3]

The name "Raven" was previously used in the US military for the EF-111, the electronic warfare variant of the General Dynamics F-111 fighter-bomber.

• Popular Science, March 2006, pg. 12

• Video of RQ-11 Raven launch from building in Najaf, Iraq

Designation sequence

v • d • e American Q-series UAVs
MQ-1 Predator · RQ-2 Pioneer · RQ-3 Dark Star · RQ-4 Global Hawk · RQ-5 Hunter · RQ-6 Outrider · RQ-7 Shadow · MQ-8 Fire Scout · MQ-9 Reaper · CQ-10 Snowgoose · RQ-11 Raven See also List of unmanned aerial vehicles

Related lists

• List of active United States military aircraft

See also

• Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
• History of unmanned aerial vehicles

v • d • e Lists relating to aviation
General	Timeline of aviation · Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines
Military	Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft
Notable incidents and accidents	Military aviation · Airliners · General aviation · Famous aviation-related deaths
Records	Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft