More RQ-7s for US Army

The US Army has ordered 68 additional AAI RQ-7B Shadow unmanned air vehicles (UAV), the latest in a long and continuing stream for US military customers.

The US Army alone currently operates about 450 of them, and the US Marine Corp around 50 more.

The RQ-7B has become ubiquitous in warzones, providing tactical intelligence, and will soon be dropping small bombs and missiles for the Marine Corps.

The aircraft is highly portable, and can be transported using a single vehicle and trailer. Though it is launched using a catapult and rail, it has wheels for landing.

AAI is pitching a modified version of the Shadow, called the M2 model, with greater capabilities.