The United States has offered to supply to Ukraine three RQ-11B Raven unmanned aircraft systems in a potential deal worth more than $3 million, a diplomatic source said last week.
“These drones can pinpoint the exact location of objects on the ground and designate targets for air strikes in real time,” the source told TASS. “If the deal goes through, the drones may be used in Ukraine’s south-east,” he added.
“Under the contract, the US side suggests organizing two-week training courses for Ukrainian drone operators at Redstone Arsenal base (Alabama, US),” the source added.
One Raven complex — aircraft and an applicable controlled station — would cost about $300,000, he said, but the whole contract might be valued at more than $3 million, as it included preparation of operators and aircraft maintenance in the United States.
The RQ-11B Raven unmanned aircraft system is a 4.5-pound hand-launched sensor platform that provides day and night, real-time video imagery wirelessly to a portable ground control station for ‘over the hill’ and ‘around the corner’ reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition in support of tactical units. The United States use Raven systems extensively for missions such as base security, route reconnaissance, mission planning and force protection. Each Raven system typically consists of three aircraft, two ground control stations and spares.
Source: TASS