Honeywell RQ-16 T-Hawk (Tarantula Hawk)

United States (2008)

The Honeywell RQ-16 T-Hawk UAV provides a portable VTOL UAV system to forward-deployed troops.

Detailing the development and operational history of the Honeywell RQ-16 T-Hawk (Tarantula Hawk) VTOL Micro Air Vehicle. Entry last updated on 11/18/2017. 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.

Any available statistics for the Honeywell RQ-16 T-Hawk (Tarantula Hawk) VTOL Micro Air Vehicle are showcased in the areas immediately below. Categories include basic specifications covering country-of-origin, operational status, manufacture(s) and total quantitative production. Other qualities showcased are related to structural values (namely dimensions), installed power and standard day performance figures, installed or proposed armament and mission equipment (if any), global users (from A-to-Z) and series model variants (if any).

Our Data Modules allow for quick visual reference when comparing a single entry against contemporary designs. Areas covered include general ratings, speed assessments, and relative ranges based on distances between major cities.

Image of collection of graph types

Relative Maximum Speed Rating

Hi: 100mph

Lo: 50mph

This entry's maximum listed speed (81mph).

Graph average of 75 miles-per-hour.

Aviation Era

Useful in showcasing the era cross-over of particular aircraft/aerospace designs.

Unit Production Comparison

Comm. Market HI*: 44,000 units

Military Market HI**: 36,183 units

372

* Commercial Market High belongs to Cessna 172.

** Military Market High belongs to Ilyushin Il-2.

Altitude Visualization

Compare this entry against other aircraft using our Comparison Tool

Supported Mission Types:

Anti-Ship

Airborne Early Warning

VIP Travel

Origin: United States

Year: 2008

Type: VTOL Micro Air Vehicle

Manufacturer(s): Honeywell International - USA

Production: 372

Status: Active, In-Service

Global Operators:
India (possible); United Kingdom; United States

Historical Commitments / Honors:

Military lapel ribbon for Operation Allied Force

Military lapel ribbon for the Arab-Israeli War

Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of Britain

Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of Midway

Military lapel ribbon for the Berlin Airlift

Military lapel ribbon for the Cuban Missile Crisis

Military lapel ribbon for the Falklands War

Military lapel ribbon for the French-Indochina War

Military lapel ribbon for the Golden Age of Flight

Military lapel ribbon for the 1991 Gulf War

Military lapel ribbon for the Indo-Pak Wars

Military lapel ribbon for the Iran-Iraq War

Military lapel ribbon for the Korean War

Military lapel ribbon for the 1982 Lebanon War

Military lapel ribbon for the Malayan Emergency

Military lapel ribbon for the attack on Pearl Harbor

Military lapel ribbon for the Six Day War

Military lapel ribbon for the Soviet-Afghan War

Military lapel ribbon for the Spanish Civil War

Military lapel ribbon for the Suez Crisis

Military lapel ribbon for the Vietnam War

Military lapel ribbon for Warsaw Pact of the Cold War-era

Military lapel ribbon for the WASP (WW2)

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2

Military lapel ribbon for the Yom Kippur

* Ribbons not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns/operations.

Structural - Crew, Dimensions, and Weights:
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.

Operational
CREW

Personnel
1

Weight
EMPTY

Pounds
18 lb

Kilograms
8 kg

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

Performance
SPEED

Miles-per-Hour
81 mph

Kilometers-per-Hour
130 kph

Knots
70 kts

Performance
CEILING

Feet
10,499 ft

Meters
3,200 m

Miles
1.99 mi

Armament - Hardpoints (0):

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