BAE Skylynx II
Encyclopedia
The BAE Systems
Skylynx II is an unmanned aerial vehicle
(UAV) developed to support US Marine Corps Tier II regiment-level reconnaissance
, surveillance and target acquisition missions. The aircraft flew its maiden flight
on August 9, 2006 at the Yuma Proving Grounds, Yuma, Arizona
. The Skylynx II is equipped with an electro-optical (EO) and infrared
imaging system, and during test flights it was able to locate and track human and vehicle targets. Powered by a UEL-741 engine driving a single propeller, the aircraft is designed to be launched without a runway, and to carry payloads of up to 70 lb (31.8 kg).
The Skylynx II aircraft is part of an integrated unmanned aerial system that is made up of three aircraft, launcher, ground control station and remote receiver terminal. The system is designed to be operated by six Marines. The entire package can be transported to battlefield sites by two CH-46 Sea Knights or two HMMWVs.
BAE Systems
BAE Systems plc is a British multinational defence, security and aerospace company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, that has global interests, particularly in North America through its subsidiary BAE Systems Inc. BAE is among the world's largest military contractors; in 2009 it was the...
Skylynx II is an unmanned aerial vehicle
Unmanned aerial vehicle
An unmanned aerial vehicle , also known as a unmanned aircraft system , remotely piloted aircraft or unmanned aircraft, is a machine which functions either by the remote control of a navigator or pilot or autonomously, that is, as a self-directing entity...
(UAV) developed to support US Marine Corps Tier II regiment-level reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
, surveillance and target acquisition missions. The aircraft flew its maiden flight
Maiden flight
The maiden flight of an aircraft is the first occasion on which an aircraft leaves the ground of its own accord. This is similar to a ship's maiden voyage....
on August 9, 2006 at the Yuma Proving Grounds, Yuma, Arizona
Yuma, Arizona
Yuma is a city in and the county seat of Yuma County, Arizona, United States. It is located in the southwestern corner of the state, and the population of the city was 77,515 at the 2000 census, with a 2008 Census Bureau estimated population of 90,041....
. The Skylynx II is equipped with an electro-optical (EO) and infrared
Infrared
Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74 micrometres , and extending conventionally to 300 µm...
imaging system, and during test flights it was able to locate and track human and vehicle targets. Powered by a UEL-741 engine driving a single propeller, the aircraft is designed to be launched without a runway, and to carry payloads of up to 70 lb (31.8 kg).
The Skylynx II aircraft is part of an integrated unmanned aerial system that is made up of three aircraft, launcher, ground control station and remote receiver terminal. The system is designed to be operated by six Marines. The entire package can be transported to battlefield sites by two CH-46 Sea Knights or two HMMWVs.