Honeywell RQ-16 T-Hawk (Tarantula Hawk) Unmanned VTOL Micro Air Vehicle (MAV)

Specifications

Year: 2008
Status: Active, In-Service
Manufacturer(s): Honeywell International - USA
Production: 410
Capabilities: Reconnaissance (RECCE); Unmanned;

Crew: 1
Weight (Empty): 18 lb (8 kg)

Power: 1 x 3W-56 Boxer Twin piston engine developing 4 horsepower.

Speed: 81 mph (130 kph; 70 kts)
Ceiling: 10,499 feet (3,200 m; 1.99 miles)

Operators: United Kingdom; United States

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.

Armament

None.

Variants / Models

• 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