RQ-21A Blackjack
A runway-independent tactical reconnaissance system with a US naval programme specification distinct from today’s commercial Integrator configuration.
- Country / region
- United States
- Programme status
- In service / use documented
- Sources reviewed
- 20 Sept 2026
- Primary domain
- Air
- System type
- Reconnaissance aircraft
- Developer / manufacturer
- Insitu / Boeing
- Origin / production countries
- United States
- Other names
- Blackjack
- Variants / configurations
- RQ-21A baseline
- Operators / programme customers
- US naval programme — historical operator specification
Evidence & current status
The sources below establish the stated programme milestone or supplier claim. They do not independently verify every configuration, delivery total or advertised performance figure.
Role & capabilities
- Reconnaissance aircraft
Specifications in context
- Airframe
- Fixed-wing reconnaissance aircraft
Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together.
Source ↗ - Launch / recovery
- Runway-independent launch and recovery
Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together.
Source ↗ - Propulsion
- Not established from the reviewed public sources.
Public data gap; no estimate or neighbouring variant value substituted.
Source ↗ - Dimensions
- 15.7 ft span; 8.2 ft length
Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together.
Source ↗ - Mass
- 135 lb published weight; weighing condition not defined
Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together.
Source ↗ - Endurance
- Up to 16 h
Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together.
Source ↗ - Range
- 50 km published range; definition not stated
Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together.
Source ↗ - Speed
- 60 kt
Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together.
Source ↗ - Altitude
- Up to 20,000 ft
Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together.
Source ↗ - Payload
- Not established from the reviewed public sources.
Public data gap; no estimate or neighbouring variant value substituted.
Source ↗ - Sensors
- Day/night video; customer-dependent additional sensors
Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together.
Source ↗ - Communications / navigation
- Ground-control datalink; communications-relay payload
Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together.
Source ↗