AAI RQ-2 Pioneer

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RQ-2 Pioneer
RQ-2 Pioneer
Role Reconnaissance UAV
National origin Israel/United States
Manufacturer
Israel Aircraft Industries
Introduction 1986
Retired 2007
Number built 175 delivered; 35 in service
Developed into AAI RQ-7 Shadow

The AAI RQ-2 Pioneer was an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that was used by the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Army, and deployed at sea and on land from 1986 until 2007. Initially tested aboard USS Iowa, the RQ-2 Pioneer was placed aboard Iowa-class battleships to provide gunnery spotting, its mission evolving into reconnaissance and surveillance, primarily for amphibious forces.

It was developed jointly by

American and Israeli militaries.[1]

Essentially, the Pioneer is an upgraded

Sensenich Propeller Manufacturing Company
of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Operation

An RQ-2B on the tarmac
Crewmen recover an RQ-2 Pioneer aboard USS Iowa (BB-61)

Launched by

Kosovo and Iraq conflicts. In 2005, the Navy operated two Pioneer systems (one for training) and the Marines operated two, each with five or more aircraft. It is also operated by Israel and the Republic of Singapore Air Force. In 2007 Pioneer was retired by the US Navy and was replaced by the Shadow UAV
.

Internationally, Pioneer drones are perhaps most remembered for their role in the 1991 Gulf War, when a Pioneer launched by the Iowa-class battleship USS Wisconsin (BB-64) observed Iraqi troops on Failaka Island surrendering shortly after USS Missouri's attack on their trenchlines. When navy officials offered to transfer a Pioneer to the Smithsonian Institution, curators at the National Air and Space Museum specifically asked for the UAV that Iraqi troops surrendered to during the Gulf War.[2]

In the 1991 Gulf War, the US Army operated a UAV Platoon from Ft. Huachuca, Arizona. The UAV Platoon conducted flight surveillance and target acquisition missions from KKMC and later, the unit pushed north (Operation Sand Hawk) where US Army combat engineers built a metal runway for the aircraft to launch and recover.[3]

The "R" is the Department of Defense designation for reconnaissance; "Q" means unmanned aircraft system. The "2" refers to its being the second of a series of purpose-built unmanned reconnaissance aircraft systems.

Specifications (RQ-2)

  • Primary Function:
    Psychological Operations
RQ-2B Pioneer
RQ-2B Pioneer

Data from [citation needed]

General characteristics

Performance

  • Range: 185 km (115 mi, 100 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 4,600 m (15,100 ft)

Avionics
Dual Sensor (12DS/POP-200/POP-300)

Operators

 United States
 Sri Lanka

Former operators

 United States

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

  1. ISBN 978-1-56347-644-0
    .
  2. ^ "Pioneer RQ-2A UAV". Collections.nasm.si.edu. Archived from the original on 2 April 2011. Retrieved 2011-03-18.
  3. ^ "Pioneer Short Range (SR) UAV". fas.org. Retrieved 2021-01-30.
  4. ^ Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  5. ^ "Pioneer Short Range (SR) UAV".
  6. ^ Thompson, Coleman (2008-08-08). "Fleet Composite Squadron 6 Deactivates". NavNews. United States Navy.
  7. ^ Stegherr, Laura K. (2007-11-08). "UAV DET Launches Final Pioneer Flight". NavNews. United States Navy.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to RQ-2 Pioneer.
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