BAE Systems Skylynx II

The BAE Systems Skylynx II is a small unmanned aerial vehicle developed to support United States Marine Corps regiment-level reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition. It made its maiden flight on 9 August 2006 at the Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona. It carries an electro-optical and infrared imaging system and was able to locate and track human and vehicle targets during test flights. A UAV Engines UEL-741 engine drives a single propeller, the aircraft is launched without a runway, and it can carry payloads of up to 32 kilograms. It forms part of a system of three aircraft with a launcher, a ground control station and a remote receiver terminal, designed to be operated by six Marines and carried by two CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters or two HMMWVs.