The RQ-7 Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System is designed to succeed the aging RQ-2 Pioneer in service of the United States Marine Corps. Additionally, it will be utilized by U.S. Army elements for reconnaissance, surveillance, targeting, and assessment of the battlefield.

The Shadow 200 TUAS is produced by AAI utilizing cutting-edge avionics technology and manufacturing techniques. Targets within 125 kilometers of the brigade tactical operations center are visible to the aircraft, which can also identify tactical vehicles 8,000 feet in the air at an altitude greater than 3.5 kilometers at a slope, day or night.

Near real time imagery and telemetry data are transmitted directly from the RQ-7 Shadow ground control station to the Joint Surveillance and Target аttаck Radar System, All Sources Analysis System, and Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System. Additionally, targeting data for precision weapons is furnished. Using three C-130 Hercules aircraft, an entire Shadow TUAS—including all spares, personnel, and other components required to support sustained operations—can be rapidly deployed to any location. For operations of brief duration, a solitary C-130 is sufficient.

The RQ-7B Shadow is utilized by the Marine Expeditionary Force or Marine Expeditionary Brigade as an asset deployed in squadrons. The RQ-7B Shadow, which is specifically engineered to facilitate target acquisition, relay communications, and perform reconnaissance, maintains a watchful gaze over the battlefield for prolonged durations while continuously transmitting data between Marine air and ground command centers. Initially deployed in September 2007 during Operation Iraqi Freedom, The Shadow augments the capabilities of Marine commanders throughout the spectrum of military operations.

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