Role & capabilities
- Reconnaissance aircraft
- Primary domain
- Air
- System type
- Reconnaissance aircraft
- Developer / manufacturer
- Insitu / Boeing
- Origin / production countries
- United States
- Other names
- No additional names recorded
- Variants / configurations
- Multiple ScanEagle blocks; FLARES-supported configuration
- Operators / programme customers
- US Navy / Marine Corps — contracted ISR services
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 and programme
ScanEagle combines a small reusable airframe with interchangeable observation payloads. The current product table is the baseline for the figures here; earlier ScanEagle blocks have different weights and capabilities. FLARES is a launch-and-recovery support system rather than a conversion of the aircraft into a permanent multirotor.
Insitu announced selection of ScanEagle and Integrator for US Navy and Marine Corps contracted ISR services in May 2026. The contractor-owned service model is distinct from a customer purchasing a fleet. Satellite communications and newer navigation functions are options, so they should not be assumed present on every aircraft already delivered.
Sourced specifications
Figures apply to the named configuration. Maximum values are not guaranteed operating performance.
| Specification | Reported value | Context & source |
|---|---|---|
| Airframe | Fixed-wing reconnaissance aircraft | Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together. Source ↗ |
| Launch / recovery | Rail launch / Skyhook recovery; optional FLARES VTOL support | Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together. Source ↗ |
| Propulsion | Heavy-fuel or gasoline engine | Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together. Source ↗ |
| Dimensions | 3.1 m span; 1.71 m length | Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together. Source ↗ |
| Mass | 28 kg maximum take-off mass | Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together. Source ↗ |
| Endurance | 18 h table; 18+ h narrative | Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together. Source ↗ |
| Range | Not established from the reviewed public sources. | Public data gap; no estimate or neighbouring variant value substituted. Source ↗ |
| Speed | 80 kt maximum horizontal speed | Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together. Source ↗ |
| Altitude | 5,950 m ceiling | Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together. Source ↗ |
| Payload | 8 kg maximum | Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together. Source ↗ |
| Sensors | EO/IR, radar and other modular mission payloads | Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together. Source ↗ |
| Communications / navigation | Radio datalinks; optional PLEO satellite control | Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together. Source ↗ |
Publication history
- — Added a sourced global catalogue profile with configuration-specific data and explicit evidence limits.
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Follow the evidence
Source types identify who makes the claim. Programme milestones and supplier statements should be read in context.
- Insitu current ScanEagle product table (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer / programme source
- Insitu US naval ISR-services selection, 4 May 2026 (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer / programme source