Insitu ScanEagle
Boeing’s subsidiary, Insitu, created the ScanEagle as a small, low-altitude, long-endurance drone used primarily for reconnaissance. It’s operating empty weight is 35 pounds, and it has a flight life of over 24 hours. This is perhaps its greatest asset – as it can perform day-long duties which increases likelihood of mission accomplishment.
The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) stands roughly five feet tall with a wingspan over 10 feet. In addition to recon efforts, it also aids the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and Australian Army in search and rescue, wildlife monitoring, border control, battleground damage, and more. It can reach altitudes of a whopping 20,000 feet and get up to 92 mph. Impressive auto-bird, wouldn’t you say?
Insitu ScanEagle cost: $800,000 per unit