ScanEagle, Raven UAVs and Hellfire Missiles to Iraq to help counter al-Qaida

Defense.gov News Article: DOD Speeds Delivery of Surveillance Assets to Iraq
WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2014 - The United States is speeding delivery of unmanned aerial vehicles Iraq purchased under the foreign military sales program to help in tracking and thwarting al-Qaida-affiliated groups, a Pentagon spokesman said today.

Boeing Insitu ScanEagle Cutaway

ScanEagle Launch

"We're expediting delivery of 10 operational ScanEagles for part of the original purchase, as well as an additional four nonoperational ScanEagles, which will be sent to help facilitate maintenance of the original 10," Army Col. Steven Warren told reporters. The ScanEagle is a small and low-cost unmanned surveillance aircraft capable of up to 24 hours of flight.



Warren also reported that the original purchase included delivery of 75 AGM-114 Hellfire missiles in mid-December, with another 100 to be ready for delivery by spring.

Hellfires do more than surveillance. MQ-9 Reaper weapon of choice.

Preparing

AeroVironment RQ-11

Raven UAV

Officials also anticipate an additional 48 Raven surveillance unmanned aerial vehicles to be delivered in the spring, he added.