As announced by the Ecuadorian Military Navy's Facebook account on June 24, 2023, in the context of bilateral security cooperation, the US Department of Defense has recently provided a valuable asset to the Ecuadorian Navy: RQ-11 Raven drones. Originally developed for the US military and now adopted by many other nations, these small unmanned aerial vehicles (SUAVs) will play a crucial role in enhancing command, control, and surveillance capabilities at the country's northern border.
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RQ-11 Raven is a hand-launched, remotely-controlled SUAV (Picture source: Wikimedia)
The RQ-11 Raven is a hand-launched, remotely-controlled SUAV. It was initially known as the FQM-151 when introduced in 1999 but was later developed into its current form in 2002, resembling a scaled-up FAI class F1C free flight model aircraft in appearance. Featuring a discreet design, the drone is powered by an electric motor in a pusher configuration.
With an operational range of 10 km and the ability to fly at altitudes of approximately 150 meters above ground level or over 4,500 meters above mean sea level, the RQ-11 Raven can achieve flight speeds ranging from 45 to 100 km/h. These capabilities make it a valuable tool for gathering critical intelligence and visual data.
The launch process of the RQ-11 Raven is simple, requiring hand-launching similar to a free-flight model aircraft. Once airborne, the drone can provide intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance coverage, both during the day and at night. Thanks to its auto-pilot capability, the Raven can execute a controlled descent to a predefined landing point at a 45-degree slope (1 foot down for every 1 foot forward).
The addition of these RQ-11 Raven drones to the Ecuadorian Navy's arsenal will significantly bolster its ability to monitor and secure the northern border of the country. Leveraging their advanced intelligence and reconnaissance capabilities, these drones will offer crucial information in the fight against illicit activities and organized crime, thus safeguarding Ecuador's sovereignty and national security.
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