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Video by Tech. Sgt. Michael McGhee

RQ-7B Shadow Flight Demonstration

Joint Force Headquarters - Iowa National Guard

Nov. 9, 2016 | 4:01

The Iowa Army National Guard flight demonstration of an RQ-7B Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (TUAS) during a flight demonstration on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at the Boone Municipal Airport, in Boone, Iowa. The demonstration consists of the smaller RQ-7B, which is organic to U.S. Army Brigade Combat Teams and also used by the U.S. Marine Corps.
The Shadow enhances the capabilities by providing real-time reconnaissance, relaying communications, and assisting in target acquisition. Powered by a fuel-injected rotary engine, it's launched from a 40-foot rail launcher pressurized by nitrogen and hydraulic pressure. Once airborne, the aircraft is controlled by Ground Control Stations through ground data terminals via radio frequency, relaying information between Army ground and air controls.
With a length of 11.2 feet and a wingspan of 15 feet, this aircraft has a maximum range of 77 miles and a maximum endurance of six hours. The Shadow system has flown more than one million flight hours and 85 percent have been in combat operations - the only Tactical Unmanned Aircraft of its size to accomplish this feat.
A Shadow crew consists of a 28-Soldier platoon, with a platoon leader, two warrant officers, 16 officers and nine maintainers. These aircraft are flown by Soldiers of the TUAS Platoon, Company B, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division at the Boone Army Aviation Support Facility in Boone.

Soundbite #1: CW3 Michael R. Schminke, TUAS Platoon Leader, Explains the benefits of a COA at the airport.
Soundbite #2: Staff Sgt. Francisco C. Hernandez, UAV Standardization Operator/Instructor, Talks about his deployment time with the unit.