Lead photo shows a ShadowHawk drone with Montgomery County, Texas, SWAT team members. In a major step toward opening U.S. skies to thousands of unmanned drones, federal officials Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013, solicited proposals to create six drone test sites around the country. The FAA has granted several hundred permits to universities, police departments and other government agencies to use small, low-flying drones. For example, the sheriff’s department in Montgomery County, Texas, has a 50-pound ShadowHawk helicopter drone intended to supplement its SWAT team. (AP Photo/Lance Bertolino, Vanguard Defense Industries)
The ShadowHawk can fly day and night in adverse weather conditions for up to 3 hours at a time on an accurate flight path under computer control. Available in several models, including,
MK-I: Basic UAS unit with CCD TV optics, standard semi-autonomous flight avionics package and turbine or piston power plant.
MK-II: Upgraded UAS with day CCD TV camera as well as FLIR optics package, fully autonomous avionics package and turbine or piston power-plant.
MK-III: UAS with day CCD, FLIR and thermal cameras, fully autonomous avionics and weaponized with either 40mm, 37mm grenade launcher or 12 gauge shotgun with laser designator (military use only.)
MK-IV: Unavailable to non-military users.
Note: All models are available in two variants; Piston Engine for long endurance mid-altitude operations and a Turbine Engine variant for high altitude missions.
Specifications
Rotor Span: 76.5 in.
Weight: 49 lbs.
Length: 84 in.
Height: 29.8 in.
Width: 17 in.
Usable Payload: 22 lbs.
Performance
Cruising Speed: 22 mph
Max Speed: 55 mph
Max Range: 15 miles
Fuel Endurance: Turbine 50 minutes
Piston Engine: 3 hrs.
