MQ-5B Hunter Project Overview

In 2005, the U.S. Army introduced requirements to upgrade the capabilities of the Northrop Grumman RQ-5A Hunter, a multi-mission, medium altitude long endurance tactical unmanned aircraft system. Northrop Grumman responded by proposing the MQ-5B Hunter, a variant of the original RQ-5A. Upgrades included a modified airframe, the introduction of a heavy-fuel engine, an improved avionics suite, and a modified inertial navigation system.

CDL Systems was contracted by Northrop Grumman to develop and engineer VCS for use in the One System Ground Control Station (OSGCS) for the MQ-5B. These upgrades were completed in 2005. CDL Systems continued its cooperation with Northrop Grumman by upgrading VCS to support the Automatic Takeoff and Landing System (ATLS). CDL Systems continues to work closely with Northrop Grumman in providing upgrades to VCS for MQ-5B Hunter.

Currently in fielded use with the U.S. Army, the MQ-5B has seen over 10,000 flight hours in operation with CDL Systems' software and continues to play a key role in reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition missions in times of peace and war.
 

Hunter B Specifications

  • Wingspan: 34 ft. (10.4 m)
  • Length: 23 ft. (7 m)
  • Maximum speed: 138 mph (222 km/h) 
  • Maximum altitude: 18,000+ ft. (5,490+ m)
  • Endurance: 21 hr 
  • Maximum GTOW: 1,950 lb. (885 kg)
  • Maximum payload: 500 lb. (227 kg)
 

Hunter B Project Partners

 

VCS Features for Hunter

  • Automatic Takeoff and Landing System (ATLS)
  • Airborne Data Terminal (ADT) relay support
  • Weapon systems management
  • Commander-mode view for Tactical Operations Center (TOC)
  • Laser target designator
  • Application Programming Interface (API) for 3rd-party integration