Background: The IAI/Malat-built, TRW-assembled RQ-5/Hunter (formerly BQM-155) won the U.S. Army's Short Range UAV competition in 1988 and first flew in Mar 91. Following three crashes in close succession in Aug-Sep 95, full rate production was canceled. The follow-on quality control improvements made Hunter a model of reliability. Seven systems of eight aircraft each were delivered; a total of 75 were built. Hunter has launched from (RATO) and landed on the deck of an amphibious assault ship. Today, one system is deployed at Ft Hood, TX, for concept development, one at Ft Huachuca, AZ, for training, and a third to the Joint ReadinessTraining Center at Ft Polk, LA; the rest are in storage. Hunter is also operated by Israel, Belgium, and France (demo only). Hunter can be converted to Endurance Hunter (E-Hunter) in 3 hours by adding wing extensions; E-Hunter data is given in parentheses:
Characteristics:
| Length, ft | 22.9 (24.5) | Wing Span, ft | 29.2 (54.5) |
| Gross Weight, lbs | 1600 (2100) | Payload Weight, lbs | 200 (670) |
| Fuel Capacity, lbs | 300 | Fuel Type | MOGAS |
| Engine Make | 2xMotto Guzzi | Power, hp | 2x60 |
| Structure | |||
| Guidance | Navigation | GPS | |
| Data Link(s) | 4-5
GHz CONUS 5-6 GHz OCONUS |
Data Rate(s) | 7.3 kbps up/down |
| Endurance, hrs | 11.6 (24) | Radius, nm | 67.5 (162 with air relay) |
| Max Speed, kts | 106 | Stall Speed, kts | 53 |
| Altitude, ft | 15,000 (20,000) | ||
| Takeoff Means | Conventional (2000 ft runway reqd)/RATO | ||
| Navigation | Preprogrammed
(points)/ autonomous/direct control |
||
| Landing Means | Conventional (runway reqd)/parachute | ||
Sensor(s): EO/IR