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RQ-21 Blackjack

Insitu (Boeing) · Fixed Wing / Tactical ISR / comms relay · USA · Digital Age (2010–present)

RQ-21 Blackjack — Fixed Wing / Tactical ISR / comms relay
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The Insitu RQ-21 Blackjack is an American small unmanned aerial system (STUAS) developed by Insitu (a Boeing subsidiary) and produced from 2014 to the present. It serves as the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy's principal small UAV, designed for shipboard, vehicle-launched, and forward-base operations from austere environments. Conceptually it follows the larger Insitu ScanEagle formula, but with greater payload, modular sensor options, and improved beyond-line-of-sight datalink range.

The airframe is a fixed-wing twin-boom design 8.2 ft (2.5 m) long with a 16 ft (4.9 m) wingspan. Empty weight is 81 lb (37 kg), maximum take-off weight 135 lb (61 kg), and maximum payload 39 lb (18 kg). Propulsion comes from a single 3T-EFI four-stroke piston engine driving a pusher propeller. Cruise speed is 60 mph (52 KTAS) and dash speed 90 mph (78 KTAS), with a service ceiling of 19,500 ft. Endurance reaches 16 hours — exceptional for the small UAV class. Launch is via a pneumatic catapult (no runway required) and recovery uses the SkyHook system, a vertical-rope grasping mechanism designed for shipboard or forward-base operations.

Design philosophy emphasises rapid forward deployment: the entire system — 4 airframes plus ground control station, launcher, recovery gear and training equipment — fits into a small number of containers for transport on Marine Expeditionary Unit ships, Marine Expeditionary Force ground vehicles, or via C-130 / C-17 transport aircraft. Standard sensor fit is the Wescam MX-10 EO/IR turret with laser designator, plus communications-relay and signals-intelligence payloads. The aircraft is unarmed in U.S. service but cleared for intelligence-collection and target-cueing missions.

U.S. Marine Corps deployments have taken the RQ-21 worldwide: Afghanistan (counter-Taliban ISR, 2014-2021), Iraq and Syria (counter-ISIS ISR, 2015-present), the Pacific (Marine Expeditionary Unit and Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations), and other theatres. The U.S. Navy has fielded RQ-21 aboard amphibious-assault ships and Coastal Patrol Cutters. Allied operators include Canada (CC-150 Polaris-supported deployments), the Netherlands (Dutch Special Operations Forces), Poland (Polish Special Forces), and additional partners. More than 200 RQ-21 airframes have been delivered globally, with production continuing at Insitu's Bingen, Washington facility.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Insitu RQ-21 Blackjack is an American Marine Corps small drone. It is launched from a slingshot-like catapult and caught back by a special vertical-rope system, with no runway needed. The RQ-21 entered service in 2014 and the Marines have used it ever since. About 200 or more have been delivered.

The RQ-21 is small: 8 feet long with a 16-foot wingspan, smaller than a school bus. The drone weighs only 135 pounds at maximum. Top speed is 90 mph, faster than most cars on a highway. The drone can stay airborne for 16 hours on one tank of fuel.

The RQ-21 has two long booms instead of a normal tail. A single piston engine drives a propeller at the back. The drone carries a camera turret for watching the ground or sea, plus radios for relaying messages over distance. There are no weapons; the RQ-21 just watches.

The Blackjack is built for fast-moving Marine units. The whole system fits in a few containers: 4 drones, a ground control station, the catapult, and the recovery gear. Marines can take it on ships, trucks, or aboard C-130 cargo planes. Canada, the Netherlands, and Poland also use the RQ-21.

Fun Facts

  • The RQ-21 is the American Marine Corps small drone.
  • The RQ-21 is launched from a pneumatic catapult, not a runway.
  • The RQ-21 is recovered by flying into a vertical rope called SkyHook.
  • The drone is 8 feet long, smaller than a school bus.
  • Top speed is 90 mph, faster than most cars on a highway.
  • The RQ-21 can stay airborne for 16 hours on one tank.
  • Canada, the Netherlands, and Poland also use RQ-21s.

Kids’ Questions

How does SkyHook work?

SkyHook is a tall pole with a vertical wire hanging down. The drone flies straight at the wire, slow and low. A small hook under the wingtip catches the wire, stopping the drone in mid-air. The drone hangs from the wire until the crew lowers it to the ground. No runway is needed.

Why two booms?

The RQ-21 has two long booms reaching back from each wing instead of a normal tail. This design is stronger and lighter, since one tail of equal strength would weigh more. The pusher propeller sits between the booms at the back. Many small drones use the twin-boom design for this reason.

How is it different from a ScanEagle?

The RQ-21 is bigger, heavier, and can carry more sensors than the ScanEagle. The ScanEagle stays airborne longer (24 hours versus 16). Both use the same Insitu catapult and SkyHook recovery systems. The RQ-21 is for missions that need more payload, the ScanEagle for missions that need extra long flight time.

Variants

RQ-21A Blackjack (initial)
First in-service variant. Around 150 delivered to the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy, operating from amphibious-assault ships, Marine Expeditionary Unit deployments, and forward bases worldwide.
RQ-21A Block 2
Improved variant with upgraded autonomy, EO/IR sensor improvements, expanded payload options, and a Link 16 datalink. In production for U.S. Navy and Marine Corps frontline use.
Integrator (commercial / export name)
Insitu's commercial and export designation for the RQ-21A. Operated by Canada, the Netherlands, Poland and other partner nations under the Integrator name rather than the U.S. military RQ-21 designation.
Integrator ER (Extended Range)
Long-endurance variant with enlarged fuel tanks. Endurance rises to 24 hours from the standard 16. Adoption has been limited, with most customers preferring the standard variant.
Integrator Maritime / Anti-Surface (proposed)
Proposed maritime-search and anti-surface-warfare variant with surface-search radar and weapons integration. Under development for export customers requiring enhanced maritime reach.

Notable Operators

U.S. Marine Corps
Primary operator, with 80+ delivered. Operating units include VMU-1 (Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1) at MCAS Yuma, Arizona; VMU-2 at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina; VMU-3 at MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii; and VMU-4 (Reserve component) at MCAS Cherry Point. Forward-deployed worldwide with Marine Expeditionary Units and Marine Air-Ground Task Forces.
U.S. Navy
Around 30 delivered. Flown from amphibious-assault ships (LHD / LHA), Cyclone-class Coastal Patrol Ships, and coastal-defence / counter-narcotics units, primarily for surface-search and counter-narcotics ISR in the Caribbean, Pacific, and Persian Gulf. Navy RQ-21 fielding is gradually being replaced by the larger MQ-8C Fire Scout for primary fleet operations.
Canada / Netherlands / Poland
Canada operates around 6 Integrators with Canadian Special Operations Forces. The Netherlands operates around 10 with Dutch Special Operations Forces and the Royal Marechaussee. Poland fields around 12 with Polish Special Forces and rapid-reaction units. All three use the platform under the Integrator commercial designation.
Other operators / planned
United Kingdom (limited evaluation use), Australia (under evaluation), Brazil (around 6 delivered for a small-UAV programme), Mexico (limited use), Romania (under evaluation), Egypt (delivered, service details limited).

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the RQ-21 compare to ScanEagle?

Both come from Insitu and share the same operating concept, but the RQ-21 is the larger, more capable evolution. ScanEagle: 44 lb MTOW, 7-lb payload, 24-hour endurance, single-sensor configuration. RQ-21: 135 lb MTOW, 39-lb payload, 16-hour endurance, modular multi-sensor fit. The RQ-21 carries simultaneous payloads — EO/IR plus SIGINT plus communications relay — whereas ScanEagle is limited to one. The Marine Corps and Navy field both: ScanEagle for higher-quantity, lighter-payload missions, RQ-21 for lower-quantity, heavier-payload missions.

How is the RQ-21 launched and recovered?

Launch is by pneumatic catapult — the airframe sits on a pneumatic rail launcher that accelerates it to flying speed with no runway required. Recovery uses SkyHook: a vertical rope hung from a portable mast that the aircraft flies into, with a hook on the wing grasping the rope and bringing it to a safe stop. Both the launcher and SkyHook are built for shipboard, vehicle, and forward-base operations, and neither needs a prepared runway. The complete launch and recovery system fits into a small number of containers for rapid forward deployment.

What sensors does the RQ-21 carry?

It uses a modular payload bay supporting multiple simultaneous payloads. Standard fit is the Wescam MX-10 EO/IR turret with laser designator, laser rangefinder and communications relay. Optional payloads include a signals-intelligence (SIGINT) sensor for radio-frequency intercept and direction-finding; a multi-spectral imaging sensor for ISR; a communications relay extending UHF / VHF / Link 16 traffic between forward units and rear command; and other classified payloads. Modularity lets a single airframe type cover multiple ISR roles by swapping payloads — a key field benefit.

How long can the RQ-21 stay airborne?

Typical mission endurance is 16 hours with full payload. A standard mission profile keeps the aircraft on station for 12-14 hours, providing persistent ISR, surface-search and communications relay coverage. Service ceiling is 19,500 ft and cruise speed 60 mph. RQ-21 endurance is shorter than ScanEagle's 24 hours, reflecting the payload trade-off — more payload at the cost of less fuel volume. For Marine Corps short-range missions, 16 hours is more than enough for daily mission cycling.

Has the RQ-21 seen combat?

Yes, extensively. Marine Corps RQ-21 operations have covered Afghanistan counter-Taliban ISR (2014-2021), Iraq / Syria counter-ISIS ISR (2015-present), and other combat deployments worldwide. Roles have included close surveillance of enemy positions, target cueing for crewed strike aircraft (typically AV-8B Harrier, F-35B Lightning II, or AH-1Z Viper), and communications relay between forward Marine units. Losses to enemy fire have been minimal — the aircraft's small size and quiet operation make it difficult to detect and engage.

What does the RQ-21 cost?

A complete system runs roughly $5M USD: 4 airframes plus ground control station, launcher, SkyHook, initial spares and training. Per-airframe cost is around $200-300K USD. That is far below larger UAVs (MQ-9: $30M, MQ-9B: $35-50M), reflecting the smaller, lighter-payload platform. Total Marine Corps RQ-21 programme value runs $300-500M USD across the full procurement.

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