The Navy’s RQ-21A Small Tactical Unmanned Air System (STUAS) completed its first flight at sea on 10th February from the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19). The system previously completed three months of land-based trial flights at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division in China Lake, California, before launching from the LPD-class ship.
The MKIV launcher prepares to launch the RQ-21A Small Tactical Un-manned Air System (STUAS) from the flight deck of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock for its first flight at sea. (U.S. Navy photo)
The RQ-21A Small Tactical Unmanned Air System (STUAS) is recovered with the flight recovery apparatus cable on the flight deck after its first flight at sea. (U.S. Navy photo)
Members of the RQ-21A Small Tactical Unnmanned Air System (STUAS) test team transport the RQ-21A across the flight deck of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) after its first flight at sea. (U.S. Navy photo).
Source: Naval Air Systems Command
