OVERVIEW
The Honeywell RQ-16 T-Hawk UAV provides a portable VTOL UAV system to forward-deployed troops.
The Honeywell RQ-16 T-Hawk UAV provides a portable VTOL UAV system to forward-deployed troops.
YEAR: 2008
STATUS: Active, In-Service
MANUFACTURER(S): Honeywell International - USA
PRODUCTION: 410
OPERATORS: United Kingdom; United States
SPECIFICATIONS
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Honeywell RQ-16A T-Hawk (Tarantula Hawk) model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Honeywell RQ-16A T-Hawk (Tarantula Hawk) model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
CREW: 1
WEIGHT (EMPTY): 18 pounds (8 kilograms)
ENGINE: 1 x 3W-56 Boxer Twin piston engine developing 4 horsepower.
SPEED (MAX): 81 miles-per-hour (130 kilometers-per-hour; 70 knots)
CEILING: 10,499 feet (3,200 meters; 1.99 miles)
ARMAMENT
None.
None.
VARIANTS
Series Model Variants
• G-MAV (Micro Air Vehicle) - Initial Product Designation.
• RQ-16A T-Hawk - Base Series Designation; US Navy usage; 372 examples on order (2008).
• RQ-16B T-Hawk - Improved production model
• XM156 (Class I) - US Army Designation
Series Model Variants
• G-MAV (Micro Air Vehicle) - Initial Product Designation.
• RQ-16A T-Hawk - Base Series Designation; US Navy usage; 372 examples on order (2008).
• RQ-16B T-Hawk - Improved production model
• XM156 (Class I) - US Army Designation
HISTORY
Detailing the development and operational history of the Honeywell RQ-16 T-Hawk (Tarantula Hawk) Unmanned VTOL Micro Air Vehicle (MAV). Entry last updated on 10/19/2018. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
Detailing the development and operational history of the Honeywell RQ-16 T-Hawk (Tarantula Hawk) Unmanned VTOL Micro Air Vehicle (MAV). Entry last updated on 10/19/2018. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
The Honeywell RQ-16 T-Hawk is a Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) currently in limited service with the United States Army and Navy. It has also been procured by the United Kingdom and is under consideration with the military of India. The system allows for backpack-sized portability and operation by a single person with a vertical launch capability allowing it to be used out of confined, open-air spaces. The RQ-16 is utilized by ordnance disposal technicians to receive an overview of a given potentially lethal situation. To date, the MAV has proven robust in the field and has served operators well. One RQ-16 system was used to provide a close-up view of the Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear reactor that had fallen victim to the massive earthquake and tsunami. One T-Hawk MAV was lost on the roof of Reactor Number 2.
Honeywell International is the RQ-16's contracting authority and manufacturer. RQ-16s were initially trialed in the Iraqi Theater (successfully) and have since gone on to see extended use in the Afghanistan Theater.
The RQ-16 sports a 3W-56 56cc Boxer Twin piston engine developing 4 horsepower and can reach speeds of 80 miles per hour with a service ceiling of 10,500 feet. Overall weight is 20lbs and the system is broken down into two major components for transport. Two carrying bags are provided.
On September 19th, 2012, it was announced that the United States Navy has awarded Honeywell International a $8,286,161 contract for support of the RQ-16B T-Hawk system (Block II Micro Air Vehicle) for use in ongoing operations concerning Operation Enduring Freedom.
The "T-Hawk" receives its name from the "Tarantula Hawk", a predatory wasp common to the American southwest.
Honeywell International is the RQ-16's contracting authority and manufacturer. RQ-16s were initially trialed in the Iraqi Theater (successfully) and have since gone on to see extended use in the Afghanistan Theater.
The RQ-16 sports a 3W-56 56cc Boxer Twin piston engine developing 4 horsepower and can reach speeds of 80 miles per hour with a service ceiling of 10,500 feet. Overall weight is 20lbs and the system is broken down into two major components for transport. Two carrying bags are provided.
On September 19th, 2012, it was announced that the United States Navy has awarded Honeywell International a $8,286,161 contract for support of the RQ-16B T-Hawk system (Block II Micro Air Vehicle) for use in ongoing operations concerning Operation Enduring Freedom.
The "T-Hawk" receives its name from the "Tarantula Hawk", a predatory wasp common to the American southwest.
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Relative Maximum Speed Rating
Hi: 100mph
Lo: 50mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (81mph).
Graph average of 75 miles-per-hour.
Aviation Era
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Unit Production Comparison
Comm. Market HI*: 44,000 units
Military Market HI**: 36,183 units
410
410
Altitude Visualization
