[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] US Forces Korea Deploy Latest Reconnaissance Aircraft on the Korean Peninsula

Reconnaissance UAVs Deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan
Latest Performance-Enhanced Version Introduced in 2020
Conducting Missions Alongside 'AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopters'

The U.S. Forces Korea has deployed the latest version of the brigade-level unmanned reconnaissance drone RQ-7B 'Shadow' on the Korean Peninsula. The RQ-7B is expected to carry out missions alongside the 'AH-64 Apache attack helicopters,' which are rotated every 6 to 9 months.

On the 19th, the U.S. Department of Defense announced through the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) that the 5-17th Aviation Regiment operated the RQ-7B Block 3 for the first time on the 13th at Desiderio Army Airfield in Camp Humphreys. Camp Humphreys is a U.S. Army base located in the Paengseong-eup area of Pyeongtaek City, Gyeonggi Province.

The RQ-7 is a U.S. military brigade-level unmanned reconnaissance drone first deployed in combat in 2002 and has been used in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other regions. The block number indicates upgrades and improvements to the aircraft's performance. Each time the program is upgraded, the version number increases. The RQ-7B Block 3, introduced in 2020, is the latest upgraded version, featuring improvements in flight time, engine safety, and camera performance compared to previous versions.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

When the RQ-7B Block 3 operates as part of a manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) system alongside the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, Apache pilots can receive real-time video footage captured by the Shadow Block 3 and, if necessary, directly control the Shadow Block 3. This allows for precise identification of enemy positions from a distance using the drone, thereby enhancing survivability.

The AH-64E Apache helicopter, known as the most powerful attack helicopter currently in service, is equipped with up to 76 70mm rockets and up to 1,200 rounds of 30mm ammunition, capable of swiftly destroying North Korean tanks and hovercraft in the front lines. It has a maximum cruising speed of 269 km/h (145 knots) and can carry up to 16 Hellfire air-to-ground guided missiles and up to 4 Stinger air-to-air guided missiles. The latest version, the AH-64E Guardian, is known for faster and more efficient attacks and especially excellent interoperability with unmanned reconnaissance drones.