Textron Systems Shadow - program supplier guide | Airframer

Textron Systems Shadow

In production

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Overview Supply chain (3) Downloads

Multi-mission Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (TUAS). Includes the variants Shadow V2 and the Nightwarden.

Lift type

Fixed wing

Construction

Factory-built

Control

Autonomous

Engine type

Rotary

Application

Surveillance

Design & construction

Primary structure

Composite

Wing

Composite

Landing gear

Fixed tricycle

Ice protection

None

Pressurisation

Unpressurised

Flight controls

Full FBW digital

Autopilot

3-axis

Avionics architecture

Integrated glass suite

Environmental control

None-unpressurised

Wing position

High

Planform

Straight

Tail

Conventional

Certification

Military

Composite wing (primary structure) Primary Composite fuselage (primary structure) Primary

Technical reference compiled with AI research; a value appears only where two independent research passes and a web fact-check agree. Gaps are deliberate.

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Type variants

Variant	Launch / first flight	Production end	Notes
AAI RQ-7A Shadow	1992 / 1992	2020	Baseline variant of tactical UAV.
AAI RQ-7B Shadow	2004 / 2004		Generally improved variant, with increased wing length; current production varaint (as of 2020): RQ-7B V2 Block III Shadow.
AAI Nightwarden	2017 / 2017	2020	Variant for ISR missions.

Airframer

Textron Systems Maryland (AAI)

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Program milestones 6 dated events

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Information on this page is compiled from a variety of published sources; links do not necessarily imply recommendation or confirmation by the airframe manufacturer.