Data Quality86%
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-7 Shadow
Country
Production
1999–
Quantity
500
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES · POST-COLD WAR
20
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
90
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
◎General6MOD.6
- UAV Classtactical reconnaissance UAS
- Category (MALE/HALE/Tactical/Micro)Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones
- First Flight1991
- Service Entry Year2002
- Primary Rolereconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, battle damage assessment
- In ServiceYes
◈Airframe6MOD.6
- Length3.41 m
- Wingspan4.267 m
- Height1 m
- Empty Weight77 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight170 kg
- Low ObservableNo
▣Powerplant5MOD.5
- Engine TypeWankel rotary engine
- Number of Engines1
- Engine Power28 kW
- Electric PropulsionNo
- Propeller / Configurationpusher propeller
◇Performance7MOD.7
- Top Speed203.702 km/h
- Cruise Speed150 km/h
- Service Ceiling4,572 m
- Range109.5 km
- Endurance6
- Combat / Operating Radius125 km
- Maximum Payload45 kg
◆Payload & Sensors6MOD.6
- EO/IR SensorYes
- SAR / GMTI RadarNo
- SIGINT PayloadNo
- Laser DesignatorYes
- Sensor Payload Weight45 kg
- Comms RelayYes
▤Armament4MOD.4
- ArmedNo
- Hardpoints0
- Weapons Payload0 kg
- Air-to-Ground MissilesNo
⬢Control & Autonomy5MOD.5
- Control Typeremote piloted via line‑of‑sight data link
- Satellite (BLOS) LinkNo
- Autonomous CapableYes
- Swarming CapableNo
- Automatic Takeoff/LandingYes
▲Production3MOD.3
- Total Built500
- Operators10
- Variants2
◎Service History2MOD.2
- Production Start1999
- Operational Statusactive
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 1999Production started
- 2010Sale: Australia (18 units)
27
years in service
500
units produced
7
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
AAI RQ-7 SHADOW · CONFLICTS SERVED IN50% win
Total Conflicts
2
Victories
1
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
Operator Inventory6country · 550units
550active
AAI RQ-7 ShadowSALES5records
| Year | Buyer | Quantity | Amount | Present Value (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 |  Australia | 18 | — | — |
| 2010 |  Italy | 4 | — | — |
| 2010 |  Sweden | 8 | — | — |
| — |  Turkey | 9 | — | — |
| — |  United States | 500 | — | — |
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
06 / MASS Score
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES RANKING Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones · Post-Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
74RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES20POST-COLD WAR · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES1015UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS17PERFORMANCE/PRICE · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES
ⓘ Rankings are within theReconnaissance / Surveillance Dronescategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE5terms
Automatic Takeoff/Landing is a UAV capability that enables a drone to initiate and complete takeoff and landing sequences autonomously using onboard sensors and control software.
Capable of performing tasks or missions without direct human control, using onboard systems to make decisions and execute actions.
A capability enabling drones to relay communication signals between units, extending operational range and maintaining network connectivity in combat environments.
Electro-optical/infrared sensor combining daylight cameras and thermal imagers for real-time target detection, tracking, and identification in military drones.
A device that emits a laser beam to mark targets for precision-guided munitions, enabling accurate strikes by designating coordinates for laser-homing weapons.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources