24th MEU ‘eyes’ UAV capabilities

Marine Corps News ^ | Cpl. Jeffrey A. Cosola

[SandRat]

CENTRAL COMMAND THEATER OF OPERATION (July 11, 2006) -- Marines serving with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), trained with the X-63 “Dragon-Eye” unmanned aerial vehicle June 11, as part of a training exercise in the Central Command theater of operation.

The bungee-cord-launched “Dragon-Eye” provides organic aerial reconnaissance and surveillance at the small-unit level, giving Marine units the opportunity to observe real-time enemy movements beyond their traditional capacity. Whisper-quiet and weighing less than five pounds, the “Dragon-Eye” is able to navigate pre-assigned waypoints via a global positioning system while transmitting data – either still images or video – to a two-man control station.

Capable of low-light operation and with a wingspan of just 18 centimeters, the drone can sustain flight for approximately 60 minutes. And because of its relative low cost, it can be fielded to Marines in large numbers. The effective deployment of the UAV is able to transform a small tactical unit into an all-seeing machine of war, while supplying aerial surveillance and intelligence that can keep patrols and convoys out of harm’s way.

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A “Dragon-Eye” unmanned aerial vehicle is launched by Marines serving with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) June 11 as part of a training exercise in the Central Command theater of operation. The UAV is a force multiplier that extends the vision of small units in combat operations. Photo by: Cpl. Jeffrey A. Cosola

Colonel Ronald J. Johnson, commanding officer of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), tests the capabilities of the “Dragon-Eye” unmanned aerial vehicle June 11 as part of a training exercise in the Central Command theater of operation. The UAV is light-weight and can be launched, operated and recovered by a two-man team of Marines. Photo by: Cpl. Jeffrey A. Cosola

[Ciexyz]

Most impressive!

[ASA Vet]

Ping

[Mike-o-Matic]

That's lookin' like a mighty big 18cm to me.

[ol' hoghead]

Looks closer to 118cm (48 inches). Checked the Sparta composits site and it says 4.5 lbs, twin engine, 48 in wingspan.

[Old Sarge]

I worked with a number of UAV's in theater. Dragon Eye did NOT impress me. It had virtually no dwell time on target. The Army's Raven got more bang for the buck.

With Dragon Eye's limited range, ad-hoc tasking was out of the equation: it flew its mission, and there was no deviation from the plan. Something else pops up during the mission, and you could not re-task to exploit the situation.