ADF-SERIALS
Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History

A43 AAI Corporation RQ-7B Shadow 200 UAV

AAI Corporation Shadow Image Gallery

In the meantime, in 2007, the ScanEagle short-range UAV was leased by the Army for in-theatre operations, and in 2008 a new JP 129 competition was launched. This saw several more platforms offered, including BAE Systems Australia teamed with American firm AAI to offer the Shadow 200 UAV, and the selection of the RQ-7B Shadow 200 was announced in August 2010. This 'B' variant expands the original Shadow’s wingspan to 14 feet, endurance to 6 hours, and payload to 45 pounds. It is the US Army’s main tactical UAV (TUAV), and has had extensive operational use in Iraq and Afghanistan. The new 132 Battery of the 20th Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) Regiment was set to operate the TUAVs at Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera, Queensland. 

The August 2010 deal was reportedly worth A$ 175 million (US$158 million) for 18 RQ-7B Shadow 200 platforms, sourced from the US military by a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract. The first RQ-7B Shadow system of four UAVs were delivered to Australia for testing in mid-2011, and early delivery of a second system (at least four more platforms) may be possible by the US Army giving up one of its production-line slots. These aircraft should be received over 2012/13, with up to four systems and Ground Control Stations being eventually acquired.

18 RQ-7B Shadow 200 aircraft have been acquired, equipping 131 & 132 Battery of 20STA Regiment with one complete system each consisting of a Ground Control Station and 6 Shadow UAVs.  A further 6 assets were acquired as a replacement / attrition pool.