The US Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Test Directorate has demonstrated an AAI-built dedicated Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System for test and evaluation purposes.

AAI UAS general manager and senior vice president Steven Reid said: "This dedicated test and evaluation system is an excellent way for Marine Corps to continue validating new missions for their Shadow assets."

The new system will support US Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical UAS Program Office (PMA-263) test and evaluation initiatives.

The system will be equipped with a wide focal plane array camera (WFPAC) payload to conduct persistent surveillance over wider search areas.

The system is used in testing various new payloads in support of new additional mission profiles, and is currently in service with US, Italy and Sweden.

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