Insitu MQ-27 ScanEagle
Insitu · United States · first flew 2002 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Insitu ScanEagle is a small, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. It is operated by a wide range of military and government customers worldwide.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 1.55 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Small long-endurance surveillance UAV
- Twin-boom tail with inverted V stabiliser
- Launched by catapult, recovered by SkyHook system
A very small straight-wing UAV with a twin-boom inverted-V tail and pusher propeller; the compact size and catapult-launch profile make it unmistakable as a small tactical drone.
Specifications
- The Insitu MQ-27 ScanEagle has a length of 1.55 m (5 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 3.11 m (10 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 148 km/h (92 mph).
- Typical crew: 0 (unmanned).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Originally developed as the SeaScan for autonomous fish-spotting before being adapted for military ISR, the ScanEagle entered military service around 2004. Insitu was acquired by Boeing in 2008. The MQ-27 military designation covers the operational system used extensively in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Variants
Multiple variants exist including the ScanEagle 2 with improved endurance and payload; the Block D and later versions feature enhanced sensors.
Where you'll see it
Widely used by the US military and allied nations for persistent surveillance; the ScanEagle has accumulated millions of flight hours in active combat zones.
Related aircraft
- RQ-21 Blackjack
- BQM-167 Skeeter
- IAI I-View
- Lockheed Martin Desert Hawk
- Northrop Grumman EQ-4B Global Hawk
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.