Sign in Subscribe
Soldiers

New York Army National Guard Deploys Advanced Unmanned Aircraft to Afghanistan

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard's 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team have conducted training missions with the Shadow RQ-7 unmanned reconnaissance aircraft at Fort Drum, New York. The detachment, consisting of over a dozen Soldiers, flew four training missions during a brigade command-post exercise, marking the first time the detachment has flown the aircraft at the base. The Shadow enables the brigade to gain a 3D view of the battlefield, providing crucial intelligence to improve security for friendly forces and civilians.

Key Takeaways:

  • The New York Army National Guard's 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is deploying to Afghanistan in 2012, where they will utilize the Shadow RQ-7 unmanned reconnaissance aircraft for intelligence gathering and reconnaissance.
  • The detachment, consisting of over a dozen Soldiers, has completed training on the aircraft, including launching, flying, and recovering the Shadow.
  • Staff Sgt. Nathan Edwards, the detachment's standardization instructor-operator, stated that the Shadow enables the brigade to see things they couldn't see otherwise, creating a more three-dimensional picture of the battlefield.
  • The Shadow can fly up to 15,000 feet, use its infrared camera system to gather intelligence, and broadcast radio communications between units on the ground.
  • The aircraft's infrared camera is sensitive enough to detect the temperature difference of freshly turned earth, indicating new digging and potential IED placement.
  • The detachment operates the Shadow using computers and radios housed in specially-designed trucks, which can also refuel the aircraft.
  • Staff Sgt. Todd Berardicurti, the detachment's maintenance supervisor, stated that the Shadow is more cost-effective than a helicopter and can stay aloft longer.

Statistics:

  • 12+ Soldiers of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team operated the Shadow RQ-7 unmanned reconnaissance aircraft.
  • The detachment flew 4 training missions during the brigade command-post exercise.
  • The Shadow can fly up to 15,000 feet.
  • The aircraft's infrared camera can detect the temperature difference of freshly turned earth.
  • The Shadow can relay radio communications between units on the ground.
  • 2 Shadow aircraft can fit neatly in the back of specially-designed trucks, which are also used to refuel them.

Sources:

  • "New York Army National Guard Deploys Advanced Unmanned Aircraft to Afghanistan" (uncredited author), April 18 (no year provided), readme.readmedia.com (no longer available online)

Read more