This model is big! 2500mm is impressive by any standard, yet the model is very practical, for instance the highly efficient balsa wing is removable for transportation. This model is highly unusual being both a scale model and a purpose built FPV/Camera platform. The Reaper UAV is a development of the Predator and represents the latest in cutting edge military technology, it is also much more than a mere surveillance aircraft, with its armament of Hellfire missiles and laser guided "smart" bombs, it is a hunter/killer with an impressive combat history.
Specifications:
Wingspan: 2500mm
Length: 1080mm
Wing Area: 32.5dm2
Wing Loading: 76-83g dm2
Airfoil: Eppler 374 Mod
Weight: 2500g~2700g
This MQ-9 comes as ARF, the following is required to complete this plane:
5~6 Channel TX/RX
36~42 Outrunner or Inrunner Brushless Motor
40A~60A ESC
2 x Standard Servo and 4 x High Torque Micro Servo
3500mAh~4000mAh 3s or 4s Lipoly Battery
For FPV use, this model obviously ticks the boxes, its difficult to argue with the design of the Reaper! There is plenty of room for FPV/Camera equipment, the scale under-slung camera pod is supplied in such a way that it can be fixed or made rotating with a little effort and comes with glazing. For FPV use obviously the model weight will increase and you may want to consider a 4s set up, prop range is 11"-12". However you fly it, this is an impressive model in every respect and is bound to be a talking point wherever it is flown.
Available from Hobbyking for US$ 100.36, see the product page for details. If you stay on the site for a while, a one-time offer window appears to budy this plane for US$ 94.96. Price may depend on your membership level at the shop.
Comments
I would like to purchase one of these models if anyone has one for sale. I am looking for a kit or partially assembled one. I do not need any R/C gear nor motors ( I have tons of that! lol!)
If you have one you haven't gotten around to building or one you have grown tired of flying, let me know.
Thank you!
Dan
How did yours fly Matt?
Well Im Going to be Building A 5.2m Reaper over the Course of Next year..... So Keep a look out Any advice? (i want it to be a fully functional UAV and RPV using Ardu-plane and some FPV Stuff
I changed the turret on mine to a dome. protects the camera nicely though.
Awesome detail Matt, NASA needs you!
By the way, nitroplane.com offers this model since a long time, is it the exact same design ?
I mean, did HK craft its own design (details count), or are they just reselling a nitroplane model?
I'm also working on this airframe. Yep, another slow-goer. YouTube.com has a MQ-9 Reaper put it together video but I felt somewhat undersized the electric outrunner motor - 200 watts but then it depends on what you want to do with it.
The wings (kinda removable) along with a number of other not really thought through challenges provide opportunity for experiments and improvements here. I chose the dsPIC30F4011 (UAV V3) platform for writing firmware and convert it into a bot.
25%. Is this your average crash rate? :-)
If you can forecast a very possible crash, it is either being pessimistic, or you already know the reasons of the upcoming crash.
Building an RC kit always requires a critical eyes and eventually modify it.
I early talked about longitudinal centering, I would also be very cautious with the V-tail and this configuration would call for some propeller shrouding (thin lip, very circular, not as curvy as my "Propeller Shroud project").
It has a wingspan to base width ratio which generates an excellent lift (U2 plane) and the v-tail could appear less efficient. So, the v-tail could be, perhaps, adapted/enlarged/tuned, (like lengthening the v-tail elevon) in relation with a rear centering (wing axle).
Can be a good FPV with some mods and tuned with care, No more a RTF, but interesting.
Fixing, repairing and redoing are not in your "business model"? ;-)
@Coptaire "IMO, biz as usual!"
All depends if you include 25% crash probability during maiden to the business plan. I don't.
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