RQ-3 Dark Star
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The RQ-3 Dark Star unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was operated by the US Air Force. Its first flight was on March 26, 1996. The program was cancelled in 1999.
RQ-3A_Darkstar.jpg
The RQ-3 Dark Star was designed as a "high-altitude endurance UAV", and incorporated stealth technology to make it difficult to detect. The Dark Star was fully autonomous: it could take off, fly to its target, operate its sensors, transmit information, return and land without human intervention. Human operators, however, could change the Dark Star's flight plan and sensor orientaion through radio or satellite relay. The RQ-3 carried either an optical sensor or radar, and could send digital information to a satellite while still in flight.
The first RQ-3 Dark Star crashed on its second flight, and a modified, more stable design (the RQ-3A) first flew in June 1998. Two additional RQ-3As were built, but purportedly never flew.
The industry trade magazine Aviation Week & Space Technology, which is generally considered to be accurate, reported in April, 2003 that the RQ-3 was still in development, but had become a black project. The size and capabilites had increased somewhat. The magazine further alleged that the first such example had been used in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. There has been no independent confirmation.
The "R" is the Department of Defense designation for reconnaissance; "Q" means unmanned aircraft system. The "3" refers to it being the third of a series of purpose-built unmanned reconnaissance aircraft systems. See also RQ-1 Predator, RQ-2 Pioneer, RQ-4 Global Hawk, RQ-5 Hunter, RQ-6 Outrider, and RQ-7 Shadow.
General Characteristics
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Source for specifications and second and third paragraphs: Display information on exhibit at Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington, USA.
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