Shadow Drone

The Shadow drone is a tactical unmanned aerial system developed by Textron Systems for military reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition missions at brigade and battalion level. The RQ-7B Shadow variant is the primary operational configuration — providing organic ISR capability to ground commanders without requiring dedicated air support allocation from higher headquarters.

The RQ-7B Shadow airframe measures 3.4 meters in length with a 6.98-meter wingspan. Maximum takeoff weight reaches 170kg with a payload capacity of 27kg. The system uses a Rotax 2-stroke engine producing 38 horsepower — delivering a maximum airspeed of 204 km/h and cruise speed of 148 km/h. Endurance reaches 9 hours at operational altitudes up to 4,572 meters MSL. Furthermore, the Shadow launches from a pneumatic catapult system mounted on a trailer — enabling forward deployment without prepared runways or airfields. Recovery uses an arresting wire system rather than a conventional runway landing — maintaining operational capability at austere forward locations.

The sensor payload bay carries an electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) gimbal. The standard MTS-A multi-spectral targeting system delivers full-motion video in both visible and thermal infrared bands. Live video transmits to the ground control station and connects to ROVER terminals carried by ground units — giving dismounted troops direct downlink of Shadow ISR feeds during active operations. Additionally, the Shadow supports laser designation capability — illuminating targets for laser-guided munition delivery by cooperating fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft without requiring a separate forward air controller.

The ground control station (GCS) operates from two vehicles — a mission control element and a launch and recovery element. One GCS controls multiple Shadow aircraft simultaneously. The system uses a one-click automated takeoff and landing sequence — reducing pilot workload during high-tempo operations. Moreover, the Shadow integrates with Army Battle Command Systems and tactical data links — feeding target location data directly into fire mission processing and digital map displays at supported unit level.

These systems apply to Pakistan Army brigade-level ISR programs, Frontier Corps surveillance operations along Pakistan’s western frontier, Pakistan Army Aviation ISR capability development, and Special Services Group target acquisition support requiring organic tactical reconnaissance without dependence on national-level ISR asset allocation.

Tactical Supply Pakistan supplies Shadow drone systems for tactical ISR, target acquisition, and brigade-level reconnaissance procurement across Pakistan.