Squadron Location Aircraft Command Tail code
VMX-1 ‘Argonauts’ MCAS Yuma, Arizona CQ-24A COTEF MVCQ-24A K-MAX
Marine operational test and
evaluation squadron VMX-1
operates two unmanned CQ-24A
helicopters that are capable of
ying autonomously or under
remote control ight via line-of-
sight and beyond line-of-sight
satellite data links.
Originally deployed to
Afghanistan as a cargo resupply
unmanned aircraft system (CRUAS)
in October 2011, two CQ-24As are
assigned to marine operational
test and evaluation squadron
VMX-1 at MCAS Yuma.
The CRUAS, which is based on
the airframe of Kaman’s K1200
K-MAX helicopter, was developed
jointly by Lockheed Martin and
Kaman Aerospace, in response
to a 2009 urgent operational
needs statement (UONS). It
was intended as an unmanned
aircraft that could transport largeamounts of cargo to remote
units and reduce the need for
convoys that were susceptible to
roadside improvised explosive
devices (IED).
Two of the modi ed unmanned
helicopters were deployed
to Afghanistan in November
2011, and after returning to the
United States in May 2014 they
were upgraded by Kaman and
Lockheed Martin. The aircraft
were subsequently delivered to
MCAS Yuma to support additional
evaluations. Planned upgrades
include the addition of external
fuel tanks, a high de nition EO/
IR sensor and a high-bandwidth
satellite communications system.
The aircraft will support MAGTF
unmanned expeditionary
(MUX) experimentation and
risk reduction testing e orts
through 2028.RQ-21A Blackjack
Considered a Group 3 small
tactical unmanned aircraft system
(STUAS), the Insitu RQ-21A serves
in marine expeditionary units
(MEUs) and infantry regiments as
a long-endurance, expeditionary
multi-mission platform. The
rst RQ-21A entered service
with VMU-2 in 2014. The
marines deployed the system to
Afghanistan in late April 2014
and it achieved IOC in January- The RQ-21A made its rst
shipboard deployment with the
22nd MEU in June 2016.
Each system comprises ve
air vehicles, two ground control
systems, and launch and recovery
support equipment. The rail-
launched UAS is recovered via the
Sky Hook Recovery System (SHS).
Current plans call for assigning
Blackjacks to each of the marines’
four VMU squadrons, where they
will replace the RQ-7B. VMU-1
and VMU-2 will each operate six
systems in support of the 11th,
13th and 15th MEUs and the 22nd,
24th and 26th MEUs respectively.
Once VMU-3 completes its
transition, it will have four systems
assigned and it will support the
31st MEU. Two systems will be
operated by reserve squadron
VMU-4(-) when its conversion is
completed in 2021. In addition,
single systems will support
training with the VMUTD at MCAS
Cherry Point, North Carolina and
test duties with VMX-1 at Yuma.
The RQ-21A supports
intelligence, surveillance, and
reconnaissance (ISR) missions
using multi-intelligence
payloads that include electro-
optical and infra-red sensors, laser
range- nders and illuminators,
automatic identi cation system
(AIS) and a communications
relay capability. Smaller than
the RQ-7, the Blackjack has an
endurance of 15 hours and is
capable operating from the US
Navy’s L-class amphibious ships
and expeditionary land bases. An
entire system is air-transportable
by a CH-53E helicopter.
Planned upgrades include
integration with the AN/ALQ-231
Intrepid Tiger II electronic
warfare pod and the addition of a
laser designator.Squadron Location Aircraft Command Tail code
VMU-1 ‘Watchdogs’ MCAGCC Twentynine Palms, California RQ-21A MAG-13 WG
VMU-2 ‘Night Owls’ MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina RQ-21A MAG-14 FF
VMU-3 ‘Phantoms’
(see note 1)MCAS Kaneohe Bay,
Hawaii RQ-7Bv2 MAG-24
VMU-4 (-) ‘Evil Eyes’
(see note 2)MCAS Camp Pendleton,
California RQ-7Bv2 MAG-41
VMX-1 MCAS Yuma, Arizona RQ-21A COTEF MV
VMUT (FRD)
(see note 3)MCAS Cherry Point,
North Carolina RQ-21A MAG-14
1 VMU-3 will transition to RQ-21A in 2018.
2 VMU-4 will transition to RQ-21A in 2019.
3 VMUTD will activate in 2019.RQ-7B Shadow
The Textron Systems/AAI
RQ-7B Marine Corps tactical
unmanned air system
(MCTUAS) was rst elded
by the service in 2007. The
reconnaissance, surveillance,
targeting, and assessment
(RSTA) platform, which
replaced the earlier RQ-2B
Pioneer, was elded to three
active-duty squadrons along
with a single reserve squadron.
Now being replaced by the
RQ-21A, the RQ-7A remains
in limited service with marine
unmanned aircraft squadron
VMU-3, which is undergoing
transition to the Blackjack.
Reserve squadron VMU-4
has also begun its process of
conversion to the RQ-21A,
which will be complete
in 2021. By mid-2019, theremaining Shadows will
be retired.
The RQ-7B is a rail-launched
aircraft but requires a runway
for recovery. Three RQ-7
systems were assigned to each
active-duty unit and two are
assigned to the reserve unit.
Each system comprised four air
vehicles, a launcher and two
ground control stations.
Recent upgrades provided
the Shadow with a tactical
common data link (TCDL),
UHF communications relay
capability, a universal ground
control station (UGCS) that
increased joint interoperability
with other aircraft, and a
laser designator payload. The
Shadow has been replaced
with VMU-1 and VMU-2 by
the RQ-21A.An RQ-7B Shadow unmanned
aerial system (UAS) of VMU-3
‘Phantoms’. USMC/LCpl
Isabelo TabanguilVMFAT Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron
VMFT Marine Fighter Training Squadron
VMGR Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron
VMM Marine Medium Tilt-rotor Squadron
VMMT Marine Medium Tilt-rotor Training Squadron
VMR Marine Transport Squadron
VMU Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron
VMUT Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Training Detachment
VMX Marine Operational Test and Evaluation SquadronVP Patrol Squadron
VPU Special Projects Patrol Squadron
VQ Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron
VR Fleet Logistics Support Squadron
VRC Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (Composite)
VT Training Squadron
V TUAV Vertical Take-o and Landing Tactical Unmanned Air Vehicle
VUP Unmanned Patrol Squadron
VX Air Test and Evaluation Squadron
VXS Scienti c Development SquadronABBREVIATIONS CONTINUED
US NAVY & MARINE CORPS AIR POWER YEARBOOK 2018
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS AIR POWER^9786-99 Marine Tables C.indd 97 01/06/2018 14:05