Data Quality87%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category.
01 / Overview
AAI RQ-2 Pioneer
Prime contractor
Production
1986–2007
Quantity
175
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES · COLD WAR
17
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
85
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
- UAV ClassShort Range
- Category (MALE/HALE/Tactical/Micro)Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones
- First Flight1986
- Service Entry Year1986
- Primary RoleArtillery Targeting and Acquisition, Forward air control, Reconnaissance and Surveillance, Battle Damage Assessment, Search and Rescue, Psychological Operations
◈Airframe6MOD.6
- Length4.27 m
- Wingspan4.877 m
- Height0.99 m
- Empty Weight190 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight205 kg
- Low ObservableNo
▣Powerplant5MOD.5
- Engine TypeZF Sachs
- Number of Engines1
- Engine Power28.3 kW
- Electric PropulsionNo
- Propeller / ConfigurationFixed-pitch
◇Performance6MOD.6
- Top Speed185 km/h
- Cruise Speed130 km/h
- Service Ceiling4,600 m
- Range185 km
- Endurance5
- Maximum Payload34 kg
◆Payload & Sensors6MOD.6
- EO/IR SensorYes
- SAR / GMTI RadarNo
- SIGINT PayloadNo
- Laser DesignatorNo
- Sensor Payload Weight34 kg
- Comms RelayNo
▤Armament4MOD.4
- ArmedNo
- Hardpoints0
- Weapons Payload0 kg
- Air-to-Ground MissilesNo
⬢Control & Autonomy5MOD.5
- Control TypeRemote control
- Satellite (BLOS) LinkNo
- Autonomous CapableNo
- Swarming CapableNo
- Automatic Takeoff/LandingNo
▲Production3MOD.3
- Total Built175
- Operators3
- Variants1
◎Service History4MOD.4
- Retirement Year2007
- Production Start1986
- Production End2007
- Operational StatusRetired
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1986Production started
- 1990First deployment: Gulf War
- 2007Production ended
40
years in service
21
years in production
175
units produced
2
countries operating
ⓘ 2 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries4country
05 / MASS Score
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES RANKING Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
198RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES17COLD WAR · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES82PERFORMANCE/PRICE · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES
ⓘ Rankings are within theReconnaissance / Surveillance Dronescategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE1terms
Electro-optical/infrared sensor combining daylight cameras and thermal imagers for real-time target detection, tracking, and identification in military drones.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources