Alliant RQ-6 Outrider
US Army single engine UAV

Archive Photos ¹

Alliant Techsystems RQ-6 Outrider (119), on display 8/3/2011 Fort Huachuca Army Base, Arizona, (Lt. Col. Dr. Marc Matthews, M.D., USAF (retired) photos copyright © 2011 Lt. Col. Dr. Marc Matthews, M.D., USAF (retired))

Overview ²

• Alliant RQ-6 Outrider
• Role: Remote controlled UAV
• Manufacturer: Alliant Techsystems
• Primary users: United States Marine Corps, United States Army, United States Navy
• Produced: 1996-1999

The RQ-6 Outrider unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was designed to provide near-real-time reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition information to United States Marine Corps air/ground task forces, United States Army brigades, and deployed United States Navy units that was small enough for an entire system to be contained on two Humvees and trailer and transported on a single Lockheed C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft.

The project began in 1996 and was canceled in 1999.

The "R" is the Department of Defense designation for reconnaissance; "Q" means unmanned aircraft system. The "6" refers to its being the sixth of a series of purpose-built unmanned reconnaissance aircraft systems.

Characteristics and Specifications ²

General Characteristics

• Payload: 60 lb (27 kg)
• Length: 118.8 in (3 m)
• Wingspan:
• Height: 61 in (1.5 m)
• Empty weight: 300 lb (136 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × McCulloch 4318F four cylinder pusher prop, 50 hp (37.3 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 110 knots (204 km/h)
• Cruise speed: 90 kt (167 km/h)
• Stall speed: 34 kt (63 km/h)
• Range: up to 200 km (108 nm)
• Endurance: 4.9 hours at 200 km, 7.2 hours at 50 km
• Service ceiling: 15,000 ft (4,572 m)
• Rate of climb: 1,600 ft/min (488 m/min)
• Operating altitude: 5,000 ft (1.5 km)

References

1. Photos: Lt. Col. Dr. Marc Matthews, M.D., USAF (retired) copyright © 8/3/2011
2. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Alliant RQ-6 Outrider