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.
Specifications
Year: 2008
Status Active, In-Service
Crew 1
[ 410 Units ] : Honeywell International - USA
United Kingdom; United States
- Reconnaissance (RECCE)
- Unmanned
(Showcased structural dimension values pertain to the Honeywell RQ-16A T-Hawk (Tarantula Hawk) production model)
Empty Weight:
18 lb (8 kg)
(Showcased weight values pertain to the Honeywell RQ-16A T-Hawk (Tarantula Hawk) production model)
1 x 3W-56 Boxer Twin piston engine developing 4 horsepower.
(Showcased powerplant information pertains to the Honeywell RQ-16A T-Hawk (Tarantula Hawk) production model)
Max Speed:
81 mph (130 kph; 70 kts)
Service Ceiling:
10,499 feet (3,200 m; 1.99 miles)
(Showcased performance values pertain to the Honeywell RQ-16A T-Hawk (Tarantula Hawk) production model; Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database)
None.
(Showcased armament details pertain to the Honeywell RQ-16A T-Hawk (Tarantula Hawk) production model)
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
* Ribbons not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns/operations.
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United Kingdom; United States
