AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma

Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS) [ 2008 ]

The AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma is a small-class surveillance UAV utilized in large numbers by the US military.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 07/24/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Image from official AeroVironment marketing material.

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The AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma is one of the many intelligence-gathering unmanned aircraft system (UAS) currently in service with the United States military. The aircraft achieved first flight in 2007 and was adopted by United States Special Operations COMmand (better known as "SOCOM") in 2008 through the All-Environment Capable Variant (AECV) program. The Puma continues frontline operational level service as of 2013, being fielded in conjunction with various elements of the United States including special forces. Use of this UAS has since branched to include the United States Army, Air Force and Marine Corps. Production of the type is now represented in over 1,000 units produced by California-based AeroVironment. In US nomenclature, the Puma has been assigned the designation of "RQ-20A".

Unlike other highly publicized UAVs such as Predator and Reaper, the Puma is given a very small and compact profile for maximum portability. Its primary mission directive is that of surveillance and intelligence gathering for the purpose of a planned response while onboard systems can also be used to acquire targets. Its full mission scope is recognized as "ISRT" ("Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Targeting"). The payload is modular in nature and can therefore be suited to customer requirements. The Puma design is entirely waterproof which protects vital systems such as the battery compartment, allowing the Puma to operate equally-effectively over water. Standard equipment includes a stabilized electro-optical (EO) and an infrared (IR) camera with infrared illuminator while the payload is gimbaled to provide 360-degree continuous panning. Power is served through a conventional engine spinning a two-bladed propeller unit mounted to the front of the fuselage. Its noise level is rather quiet, allowing the Puma to remain unnoticed to targets on the ground. Wings include a high-mounted main assembly with noticeable outboard dihedral and a traditional single-fin tail unit. The Puma is small enough to be managed by a single operator in the field with a second operator managing the Ground Control Station (GCS). Also unlike other larger UAV systems, the Puma is hand-launched with recovery accomplished through simple deep-stall landing. Being waterproof, the Puma can also land in water and be recovered as needed. The entire Puma system includes three aircraft and GCS units and no additional equipment is required.

The Puma features an overall length of 4 feet, 7 inches with a wingspan of 9 feet, 2 inches. Maximum take-off weight (MTOW) is listed at just 13 lbs. With its onboard propulsion system, the Puma can make 52 miles per hour out to a range of 9 miles. Flight time endurance is two hours. Despite these seemingly pedestrian specifications when compared to her larger brethren, the Puma is a budget-conscious alternative to the full-sized Predator and Reaper types. The Puma is also part of AeroVironment's established lineup of UAS vehicles that include the Raven and Wasp, both of these products being able to utilize the same provided GCS system.

Beyond the United States military, Denmark and Sweden added the RQ-20A system in June of 2012.©MilitaryFactory.com

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March 2018 - To satisfy growing market demand, AeroVironment has launched the new "Puma 3" Small Unmanned Air System (SUAS) line. Among its features is a revised airframe with modern Electro-Optical (EO) sensor package installed and a new protected datalink fit.

April 2022 - The United States will be sending RQ-20 drones to Ukraine to assist the nation in its fight against the invading Russians.

July 2022 - It was revealed that the U.S. intends to sell Puma drones to the nation of Tajikistan.

Specifications

AeroVironment - USA
Manufacturer(s)

Albania; Belgium; Canada; Czech Republic; Denmark; Egypt; Estonia; France; Germany; Latvia; Netherlands; New Zealand; Norway; Kosovo; Spain; Sweden; Tajikistan (announced); United Kingdom; United States; Ukraine
Operators

2008
Service Year

United States
National Origin

Active
Project Status

0
(UNMANNED)
Crew

1,000
Units

INTELLIGENCE-SURVEILLANCE-RECONNAISSANCE
Surveil ground targets / target areas to assess environmental threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.

UNMANNED
Aircraft inherently designed (or later developed) with an unmanned capability to cover a variety of over-battlefield roles.

4.6 ft
(1.40 meters)
Length

9.2 ft
(2.80 meters)
Width/Span

13 lb
(6 kilograms)
Empty Weight

13 lb
(6 kilograms)
Maximum Take-Off Weight

+0 lb
(+0 kg)
Weight Difference

monoplane / shoulder-mounted / straight
Mainplane Arrangement

Monoplane
Design utilizes a single primary wing mainplane; this represents the most popular modern mainplane arrangement.

Shoulder-Mounted
Mainplanes are mounted at the upper section of the fuselage, generally at the imaginary line intersecting the pilot's shoulders.

Straight
The planform involves use of basic, straight mainplane members.

1 x Electric powerplant powering two-bladed propeller in puller mounting.
Propulsion

52 mph
(83 kph | 45 knots)
Max Speed

499 ft
(152 m | 0 miles)
Ceiling

9 miles
(15 km | 8 nm)
Range

MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

♦

None.

RQ-20 "Puma" - Base Series Designation

RQ-20A (AE - "All Environment") - US military designation for initial production models.

RQ-20 "Puma 3" - Upgraded, improved Puma product; Mantis i45 Electro-Optical (EO) sensor; upgraded airframe and data link.

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Images

1 / 4

Image from official AeroVironment marketing material.

2 / 4

Image from the U.S. DoD imagery database; Public Release.

3 / 4

Image from the U.S. DoD imagery database; Public Release.

4 / 4

Image from the U.S. DoD imagery database; Public Release.

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