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RQ-21 Blackjack vs RQ-7 Shadow

RQ-21 Blackjack vs RQ-7 Shadow at a glance — top speed 170 vs 200 km/h, range 93 vs 109 km, max takeoff weight 61 vs 170 kg.

Insitu RQ-21 Blackjack military drones side profile drawing
🇺🇸 RQ-21 Blackjack
AAI RQ-7 Shadow military drones side profile drawing
🇺🇸 RQ-7 Shadow
Specifications
RQ-21 Blackjack RQ-7 Shadow
Origin country 🇺🇸 United States 🇺🇸 United States
Category Military Drones Military Drones
Manufacturer Insitu AAI
First flight 28 July 2012 1 January 1991
Year introduced 2014 2002
Number produced N/A 500 units
Average unit price $2 million $750K
Wingspan 4.9 m 3.9 m
Length 2.5 m 3.4 m
Maximum speed 170 km/h 200 km/h
Operational range 93 km 109 km
Service ceiling 5,900 m 4,600 m
Max. takeoff weight 61 kg 170 kg
Empty weight 37 kg 86 kg
Total thrust 1 x 6 kW --
Performance Radar Chart
Change comparison vs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the RQ-21 Blackjack or RQ-7 Shadow?
The RQ-7 Shadow is faster with a maximum speed of 200 km/h compared to the RQ-21 Blackjack's 170 km/h, a difference of 30 km/h.
Which has longer range, the RQ-21 Blackjack or RQ-7 Shadow?
The RQ-7 Shadow has a longer range at 109 km compared to the RQ-21 Blackjack's 93 km.
Which can fly higher, the RQ-21 Blackjack or RQ-7 Shadow?
The RQ-21 Blackjack has a higher service ceiling at 5,900 meters (19,356 ft) compared to the RQ-7 Shadow's 4,600 meters (15,091 ft).
Which is heavier, the RQ-21 Blackjack or RQ-7 Shadow?
The RQ-7 Shadow has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 170 kg compared to the RQ-21 Blackjack's 61 kg.
Which is larger, the RQ-21 Blackjack or RQ-7 Shadow?
The RQ-7 Shadow is longer at 3.4 meters compared to the RQ-21 Blackjack's 2.5 meters.
Which is more expensive, the RQ-21 Blackjack or RQ-7 Shadow?
The RQ-21 Blackjack is more expensive at approximately $2.0 million per unit compared to the RQ-7 Shadow at $0.8 million.
Which entered service first, the RQ-21 Blackjack or RQ-7 Shadow?
The RQ-7 Shadow entered service first in 2002, 12 years before the RQ-21 Blackjack which entered service in 2014.