RQ-21A Blackjack flies in Hawaii
The US Marine Corps’ Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3 has conducted its first flight of the RQ-21A Blackjack UAS at Marine Corps Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, US PACOM announced on 18 October.
The Blackjack UAS will provide soldiers with dedicated day and night ISR coverage, target acquisition and communication relay via a dedicated airborne sensor system capable of delivering actionable intelligence to the tactical commander in real time.
The expeditionary nature of the Blackjack, which means it can be launched and recovered without a runway, will enhance the capabilies of the Hawaii-based marine air-ground task force.
The RQ-21A Blackjack replaces the RQ-7B Shadow, which flew its last flight for the marines in July 2018, during Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2018.
Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3, call sign Phantoms, is one of only three active duty marine UAV squadrons. It is responsible for providing shore and ship-based aerial surveillance to III Marine Expeditionary Force units stationed throughout the Indo-Pacific.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market]()
Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market
The UAV market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with innovations in technology and battlefield applications driving demand across military sectors. From the battlefields of Ukraine to NATO exercises and beyond, drones are transforming how wars are fought and supported.
-
![Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system]()
Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system
Launched at AUSA in October, the company’s multi-stream video codec is attempting to bring a new lease of life to drone technology through its AI accelerator.
-
![AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments]()
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
-
![US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS]()
US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS
The service has been using a Directed Requirement (DR) approach to speed up the deployment of a Medium Range Reconnaissance capability.
-
![AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024]()
AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024
AeroVironment’s portfolio will grow thanks to the eVTOL P550 aimed at battalion-level tactical forces.
-
![Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards]()
Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards
The Royal Australian Air Force is advancing its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities across three key programmes as it works with the likes of Boeing and Northrop Grumman to reshape Australia’s defence strategy.
