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RQ-11 Raven

AeroVironment · Fixed Wing / Small unit ISR · USA · Modern (1992–2009)

RQ-11 Raven — Fixed Wing / Small unit ISR
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The AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven is an American hand-launched, electric-powered unmanned aerial vehicle built by AeroVironment Inc. for U.S. military squad- and platoon-level reconnaissance. More than 19,000 airframes have rolled off the line since 2002, serving the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and 30+ foreign militaries. That production total makes the Raven the most-numerous Western military UAV ever built, and the type that brought aerial reconnaissance directly down to the rifle squad for the first time.

First flown in 1999, the airframe measures 4.5 ft long with a 4.5-ft wingspan and weighs only 4.2 lb — light enough to ride in an infantryman's rucksack. A small electric motor turns a folding propeller, and payload capacity comes to 0.4 lb. The standard sensor is the Plug-In Optronic Payload (POP) gimbal, combining a color daytime camera with a thermal imager for night work. Operating altitude runs 100-1,000 ft, cruise speed is 35 mph (30 knots), endurance is 60-90 minutes per battery, and operator-to-aircraft range tops out at 6 miles.

What defines the Raven is squad-level operation. The pilot throws the aircraft into the air like a javelin to launch it; recovery is a controlled belly-flop onto soft ground, with the propeller folding back to survive impact. A two-soldier team runs the system — one flies via a hand controller while the other watches the live feed on a portable computer or tablet. Aircraft, ground control gear, and spare batteries together weigh about 25 lb, light enough that a squad can carry the entire kit without vehicle support.

Combat use spans the Global War on Terror in depth. Since deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq in 2002, Ravens have flown 400,000+ combat sorties — far exceeding any larger U.S. UAV. Typical taskings include route reconnaissance ahead of dismounted patrols, force-protection ISR around forward operating bases, building-clearance overwatch in urban operations, and battlefield surveillance against time-sensitive enemy movement. Foreign users include the United Kingdom (~80+ in service), Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and 25+ other militaries. Ukraine has reportedly received hundreds of Raven systems through U.S. military aid since 2022 for the Russo-Ukrainian War. AeroVironment's Simi Valley, California plant continues to deliver 500-1,000 airframes per year, with 12,000+ Ravens still in active worldwide service in 2026.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven is the smallest American military drone. A single soldier can throw it into the air by hand, like a javelin. The Raven first flew in 1999 and entered service in 2003. More than 19,000 Ravens have been built, the most of any Western military drone.

The Raven is tiny: about 4 feet long with a 5-foot wingspan, weighing just over 4 pounds. A small electric motor turns a folding propeller at the front. Top speed is 35 mph, faster than a person can run. The drone has a daytime camera and a thermal camera for night work, packed into a small turret on the nose.

A two-soldier team runs each Raven. One soldier flies the drone with a hand controller. The other watches the live video feed on a small tablet or laptop. The Raven, controller, and spare batteries together weigh about 25 pounds, light enough for a squad to carry without a truck.

Ravens have flown more than 400,000 combat missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria since 2002. More than 30 other countries fly Ravens, including Britain, Australia, Canada, Italy, Spain, and Sweden. Ukraine has received hundreds of Ravens through American aid since 2022. The Raven lands by belly-flopping onto soft ground, with its propeller folding back to survive the impact.

Fun Facts

  • The Raven is small enough to throw by hand, like a javelin.
  • The Raven weighs just over 4 pounds, smaller than most birds carry.
  • Top speed is 35 mph, faster than a person can run.
  • More than 19,000 Ravens have been built, the most of any Western drone.
  • Each Raven can fly for 60 to 90 minutes on a single battery.
  • Ravens have flown more than 400,000 combat missions since 2002.
  • A two-soldier team operates each Raven, with a hand controller and tablet.

Kids’ Questions

How do you launch it?

A soldier holds the Raven over their shoulder and throws it forward, like throwing a javelin. The propeller starts spinning, and the drone climbs into the sky. No runway or launcher is needed. Anyone can learn to launch a Raven in a few minutes.

How does it land?

The Raven cannot land like a normal plane because it has no landing gear. Instead, it belly-flops onto soft ground. The propeller folds back so it does not break. A soldier picks up the Raven, checks for damage, swaps in a fresh battery, and the drone is ready to fly again.

How do squads use it?

Before walking down a road, a squad launches a Raven to scout ahead. The live video shows enemies, hidden trucks, or bombs in the road. The squad can change plans before getting close. The Raven gives small infantry teams the same kind of overhead view that bigger units used to need helicopters or planes for.

Variants

RQ-11A (initial)
Original production variant, in service from 2002. About 6,000 built and used heavily in Afghanistan and Iraq from 2002-2010. Most were upgraded to RQ-11B standard or retired.
RQ-11B (current production)
Improved variant with a modular EO/IR sensor package, GPS-guided autonomous return, an upgraded data link, and a refreshed ground control station. Backbone of the current fleet at roughly 13,000 built.
RQ-11B Digital Data Link (DDL)
Replaces the original analogue link with a digital data link for better security, sharper video, and longer effective range. Production has focused on this configuration since around 2017.
AeroVironment Puma / Wasp / Switchblade (related products)
Other AeroVironment small-UAV products. Switchblade 300 / 600: armed loitering munition. Puma: larger 4.4 ft wingspan battlefield UAV. Wasp: smaller 1.4 lb micro-UAV.
AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma (related)
Larger family member. RQ-20A Puma has a 4.4 ft wingspan, 13.5 lb gross weight, and 3.5-hour endurance, in service with the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Navy. It bridges the gap between the Raven and larger battlefield UAVs.

Notable Operators

United States Army / U.S. Marine Corps
The largest users. Peak inventory reached around 13,000 RQ-11Bs in the U.S. Army and 1,500 in the U.S. Marine Corps. Operating units include every U.S. Army Brigade Combat Team, U.S. Marine Corps Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs), and U.S. Army Special Operations units. Used in every U.S. ground operation since 2002.
U.S. Air Force / U.S. Navy / U.S. Coast Guard
USAF: 500+ RQ-11s for security forces and base-defence duties. USN: limited use for shore-based force protection. USCG: 50+ for maritime and harbor surveillance.
Foreign / NATO operators
30+ operator nations: United Kingdom (~80+ in service), Australia (~25), Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Germany, France, Greece, Portugal, Belgium, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, and others. Ukraine has received hundreds of Raven systems through U.S. military aid since 2022.
Production / future
AeroVironment's Simi Valley, California facility continues to deliver 500-1,000 airframes per year. Major outstanding orders cover ongoing U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps procurement, foreign export contracts, and continued Ukraine support through U.S. military aid programmes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the RQ-11 launched?

By hand. The operator holds the airframe overhead and throws it forward at a brisk run, much like a paper airplane. The electric motor spins up on release and the Raven climbs to operating altitude. Recovery is a belly-flop onto soft ground — grass, sand, snow, or soft soil — with the folding propeller minimising impact damage. Hand launch and belly-flop landing eliminate any need for catapults or runway gear, so the aircraft can be deployed from any clear patch about 10 m × 10 m.

How does the RQ-11 compare to the MQ-9 Reaper?

Different scales entirely. The MQ-9 Reaper is a 5,000 lb medium-altitude long-endurance armed UAV with 27-hour endurance, 14 × Hellfire armament, and a $30M per-airframe price tag. The RQ-11 Raven is a 4.2 lb hand-launched squad-level scout with 60-90 minute endurance, no armament, and a $35-50K per-airframe cost. The Reaper handles theatre-level long-range ISR and strike; the Raven covers squad and platoon ground reconnaissance. The two anchor opposite ends of the U.S. military UAV inventory and answer different doctrinal needs.

What does the RQ-11 cost?

Around $35,000-50,000 USD per system, covering a three-aircraft set plus ground control equipment and spare batteries — far cheaper than larger UAVs. Per-airframe acquisition runs $15,000-20,000 USD. Operating cost is minimal: electric power means the recurring expense is mainly battery replacement at $200-300 per battery, with each battery lasting around 10 flights. That low cost has driven the type's wide fielding; a U.S. Army Brigade Combat Team can equip every infantry platoon with a Raven system without breaking the budget.

How many RQ-11s have been built?

Over 19,000 RQ-11 airframes since 2002 — far more than any other Western military UAV type. For comparison: MQ-9 Reaper (~425 built), MQ-1C Gray Eagle (~250 built), RQ-4 Global Hawk (~45 built). Low per-airframe cost and a high attrition rate in frontline use both feed the cumulative production figure. Output continues at 500-1,000 airframes per year from the Simi Valley facility.

How does the RQ-11 compare to commercial drones?

Different design priorities. RQ-11 Raven: military-spec equipment, encrypted communications, hardening against electromagnetic and GPS jamming, built for combat environments, and operated under U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, and NATO doctrine. Commercial drones (DJI Phantom, Mavic, Inspire) are consumer products without combat hardening, generally unencrypted, and easier to disrupt with electronic-warfare techniques. The Raven is the more capable platform in contested airspace, but it costs more. Combat use of commercial DJI drones in Ukraine and other recent conflicts has at times outperformed military-grade alternatives at a fraction of the price, prompting fresh U.S. military thinking about small-UAV procurement.

How is the RQ-11 used by Ukraine?

Hundreds of RQ-11 Raven systems have reached Ukraine through U.S. military aid since the 2022 Russo-Ukrainian War began. Ukrainian forces use them for squad and platoon reconnaissance, artillery fire-support adjustment, and force protection around defensive positions. Ukrainian operations have shown that small commercial and military drones — Raven, DJI Mavic, Skydio platforms, and others — collectively rank among the most impactful battlefield-reconnaissance assets in modern combined-arms warfare. That experience has driven U.S. Department of Defense reconsideration of small-UAV doctrine and procurement priorities.

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