Evolved from initial prototypes developed by the former Allied
Aerospace company. Following a $40 million technology demonstration
contract to Honeywell Defense and Space Electronic Systems in 2003, the
MAV project was transferred to US Army’s Future Combat System (FCS)
programme to fulfill the need for Class Iplatoon-level drone. In May
2006, Honeywell was awarded a $61 million contract to develop an
advanced MAV with extended endurance and heavy-fuel engine.
In 2007, the US Navy awarded Honeywell a $7.5 million contract for 20
G-MAVs (denoting the use of a gasoline engine) for deployment to Iraq
with the US Multi-Service Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group In January
2008, the US Navy placed a surprise order for 372 MAVs, designated
RQ-16A T-Hawk. In January 2009, the UK was reported to have ordered five
complete T-Hawk systems for delivery by 2010.
Honeywell started developing the T‐Hawk with the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
in 2003, and a Block 1 version was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan with the US Navy four years
later. The USN has ordered 180 RQ‐16s. The T‐Hawk is also being purchased by the British Army for
use in counter improvised explosive device stand‐off inspections.
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| RQ-16 T-Hawk |
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