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RQ-22 ScanEagle

Insitu (Boeing) · Fixed Wing / Tactical ISR · USA · Modern (1992–2009)

RQ-22 ScanEagle — Fixed Wing / Tactical ISR
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The Insitu ScanEagle — designated RQ-22 in some U.S. military service — is an American long-endurance compact unmanned aerial system built by Insitu, a Boeing subsidiary, and produced from 2004 to the present. With more than 1,500 airframes built and operators in 30+ nations, it is among the most widely deployed lightweight UAVs in the world. Twenty years of continuous combat and civil use have proven the design, which set the template for the modern short-range battlefield UAV category and remains in active production despite being one of the older platforms in widespread service.

ScanEagle is a fixed-wing low-aspect-ratio airframe 4.6 ft (1.4 m) long with a 10.2 ft (3.1 m) wingspan. Empty weight is 35 lb (16 kg), maximum take-off weight 44 lb (20 kg), and maximum payload 7.5 lb (3.4 kg). A single 3W-28i piston engine drives a pusher propeller, giving a 56 mph (49 KTAS) cruise and 92 mph (80 KTAS) dash. Service ceiling is 19,500 ft. Endurance reaches 24 hours — exceptional for the lightweight UAV class and the principal reason for the ScanEagle's longevity. As with the RQ-21 Blackjack, ScanEagle launches from a pneumatic catapult and recovers using the SkyHook system.

The design philosophy emphasises ultra-light weight, simple operations, and very long endurance: the aircraft can loiter over an area of interest for an entire day on a single fuel load. Standard sensor fit is a Wescam MX-10 EO/IR turret with laser designator, with the upgraded MX-15 turret on later airframes. Optional payloads cover SIGINT, communications relay, and multispectral imaging. The aircraft is unarmed in U.S. service. A complete ScanEagle system — typically four airframes plus ground control station, launcher, SkyHook, and training equipment — fits into a handful of containers for rapid deployment.

ScanEagle has been continuously deployed since 2004, beginning with the U.S. Marine Corps in Iraq, then the U.S. Navy aboard surface combatants, and onward to allied military forces worldwide. Combat deployments cover Iraq (2003-2011), Afghanistan (2004-2021), counter-piracy operations off Somalia (2008-present), and other missions. The U.S. Navy operates ScanEagle from Burke-class destroyers, Ticonderoga-class cruisers, and amphibious-assault ships. Allied operators include the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Japan, Italy, Netherlands, Singapore, and around 25 additional nations. With 1,500+ airframes delivered globally, ScanEagle ranks among the most-produced lightweight UAVs in history. The U.S. provided 6+ ScanEagle systems to Ukraine in 2022 as part of military assistance packages.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Insitu ScanEagle is one of the smallest American military drones. It is about 5 feet long with a 10-foot wingspan, smaller than a school bus. The ScanEagle first flew in 2002 and entered service in 2004. More than 1,500 have been built since.

The ScanEagle weighs only 44 pounds at maximum, less than a bag of dog food. A small 3W-28i piston engine drives a propeller at the back. Top speed is 92 mph, faster than most cars on a highway. The drone can stay airborne for 24 hours, longer than most other small drones.

The ScanEagle launches from a pneumatic catapult, like a giant slingshot. To recover, the drone flies into a wire hanging from a tall pole called SkyHook. The wing tip catches on the wire, stopping the drone in mid-air. This means the ScanEagle needs no runway, perfect for ships and small bases.

More than 30 countries fly ScanEagles, including America, Japan, Britain, Canada, and many others. The drone is used to watch borders, oceans, and forests. The American Navy and Marines use it from ships and forward bases. Ukraine has received ScanEagles to help spot Russian forces since 2022.

Fun Facts

  • The ScanEagle is one of the smallest American military drones.
  • The ScanEagle weighs only 44 pounds, less than a bag of dog food.
  • The ScanEagle can stay airborne for 24 hours on one tank of fuel.
  • Top speed is 92 mph, faster than most cars on a highway.
  • The drone is about 5 feet long, smaller than a school bus.
  • More than 1,500 ScanEagles have been built since 2004.
  • More than 30 countries fly ScanEagles around the world.

Kids’ Questions

How can it fly 24 hours?

The ScanEagle is super light: only 44 pounds total. The small piston engine sips fuel slowly. The long thin wings give lots of lift with little drag. Together these mean the ScanEagle can stay airborne 24 hours, all on a small fuel tank. Few other small drones can do this.

How does it launch?

The ScanEagle launches from a pneumatic catapult, just like the bigger RQ-21 Blackjack. The catapult shoots the drone into the air with a burst of compressed air. The drone's propeller then keeps it airborne. The catapult is small enough to fit on a Navy ship or a small forward base.

Who uses it?

The American Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard fly ScanEagles. More than 30 allied countries also use them, including Japan, Britain, Australia, and Canada. Ukraine has received many ScanEagles since 2022 to help find Russian troops and equipment. The drone is widely used for spotting fires, finding lost ships, and watching borders.

Variants

ScanEagle (baseline)
Original 2004 production variant with single-engine, single-sensor configuration. Around 800+ delivered. Backbone of U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy fielding from 2004-2015.
ScanEagle 2
Improved variant with refined airframe, upgraded engine, Wescam MX-15 EO/IR sensor, and Link 16 datalink option. Currently in production and replacing the baseline ScanEagle for new procurements.
ScanEagle 3
Latest generation with enhanced performance, larger payload, upgraded autonomy, and expanded mission options. Initial fielding 2023; selected for U.S. Coast Guard fielding and several allied programs.
Integrator (related)
Insitu's Integrator is a larger commercial / export variant. Some operators distinguish between ScanEagle (compact) and Integrator (mid-size); others use the names interchangeably. The RQ-21 Blackjack is the U.S. military designation for the Integrator-class platform.
NightEagle (proposed)
Proposed night-operations variant with low-light EO sensor and reduced engine noise signature. Adoption stayed limited as most customers preferred the standard variant with optional night-sensor payloads.

Notable Operators

U.S. Marine Corps / U.S. Navy
Primary U.S. operators with around 150+ airframes delivered. Marine Corps fields battlefield ISR with Marine Expeditionary Units worldwide. U.S. Navy flies shipboard ISR from Burke-class destroyers and other surface combatants. Operating units include VMU-1, VMU-2, VMU-3, and Navy expeditionary detachments.
United Kingdom (Royal Navy + British Army)
Major export customer with around 30+ ScanEagle delivered to the Royal Navy (shipboard ISR) and British Army (short-range ISR UAV). Operating from Type 23 frigates, Type 45 destroyers, and Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers (limited use). British Army deployments include Afghanistan (2004-2014) and current operations.
Other military operators (~30 nations)
Australia, Canada, Japan, Italy, Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, Germany, Poland, Romania, Turkey, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Egypt, UAE, Iraq, Yemen (legacy), Pakistan (limited), and Tunisia among others. ScanEagle is one of the most widely exported short-range ISR UAVs in service.
Civil / commercial / Ukraine
Civil operations cover maritime surveillance for fisheries enforcement, border patrol, and search-and-rescue. The U.S. Coast Guard, NOAA (whale research), and commercial maritime operators all fly the type. Ukraine received 6+ ScanEagle in 2022 as U.S. military assistance, used for ISR against Russian forces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the ScanEagle still in production after 20+ years?

Persistent field utility. The combination of 24-hour endurance, ultra-light weight, simple operations, and proven reliability suits a battlefield-UAV niche that has not been improved upon. Larger UAVs such as the MQ-9 and RQ-7 Shadow offer more sensors and weapons but require runway operations. Lighter UAVs like the Raven and Switchblade are simpler to operate but offer much shorter endurance. ScanEagle's sweet spot — long endurance, no runway requirement, compact operating crew — has kept it in service across multiple generations of supposed replacements (Integrator, RQ-21, RQ-7B Shadow upgrade).

How does ScanEagle compare to RQ-21 Blackjack?

Both come from Insitu and are field-similar, with the RQ-21 as the larger and 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 multiple simultaneous payloads — EO/IR plus SIGINT plus communications relay — where ScanEagle is limited to one. They are complementary in service: Marine Corps and Navy operate both, with ScanEagle taking the lower-cost, higher-quantity role and RQ-21 the more sensor-rich, lower-quantity role.

What sensors does ScanEagle carry?

One sensor at a time, swapped between flights. Standard fit is the Wescam MX-10 (or upgraded MX-15) electro-optical / infrared turret with laser designator and laser rangefinder. Optional payloads include signals-intelligence (SIGINT) for radio-frequency intercept, communications relay, multi-spectral imaging, and commercial-derivative payloads such as the NOAA whale-research camera. The 7.5 lb payload limit narrows sensor options compared to larger UAVs but is sufficient for the principal ISR and surface-search missions.

Has ScanEagle been used in Ukraine?

Yes. The U.S. Department of Defense delivered around 6 ScanEagle systems — roughly 24 airframes — to Ukraine in 2022 as part of military assistance packages. Ukrainian forces have used the type for ISR against Russian positions, particularly artillery target-cueing and counter-battery fire support. Quiet operation and 24-hour endurance suit the high-threat air-defence environment of the Russia-Ukraine war, where larger and louder UAVs would be detected and engaged by Russian air defence. Ukrainian use has demonstrated continued field value in modern peer-conflict environments.

How long can ScanEagle stay airborne?

Up to 24 hours typical mission endurance — exceptional for the lightweight UAV class. A standard mission profile keeps the aircraft airborne 18-22 hours over the area of interest, providing persistent surveillance coverage. That endurance enables 24/7 coverage with just two airframes — one in the air, one on standby. Service ceiling is 19,500 ft and cruise speed 56 mph. Endurance is one of the principal reasons for the type's longevity, as few comparable-size UAVs match it.

What does ScanEagle cost?

Around $3.2M USD per complete system, covering four airframes plus ground control station, launcher, SkyHook, initial spares, and training. Per-airframe cost runs $100-150K USD. Low cost is a principal driver of widespread adoption, particularly among allied nations and civil operators where pricier UAVs are not affordable. Total ScanEagle program value across all U.S. and export procurement runs $1.5-2B USD over the platform's 20+ year service life.

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