Editing AAI RQ-7 Shadow (section)

===Nightwarden===
A test version called STTB flew in summer 2011. AAI is developing a bigger version called M2 with a blended wing to include a 3-cylinder {{cvt|60|hp|kW}} [[Lycoming Engines|Lycoming]] heavy fuel engine,<ref>[http://www.unmanned.co.uk/unmanned-vehicles-news/unmanned-aerial-vehicles-uav-news/aai-flies-testbed-for-next-generation-shadow-uav-developments/ AAI flies testbed for next-generation Shadow UAV developments] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014051438/http://www.unmanned.co.uk/unmanned-vehicles-news/unmanned-aerial-vehicles-uav-news/aai-flies-testbed-for-next-generation-shadow-uav-developments/ |date=14 October 2011 }}, 2 August 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2011.</ref><ref>[http://www.unmanned.co.uk/unmanned-vehicles-news/unmanned-aerial-vehicles-uav-news/aai-flys-heavily-modified-shadow-m2-sttb-uavs/ AAI flys heavily modified Shadow M2 STTB UAV’s] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012145608/http://www.unmanned.co.uk/unmanned-vehicles-news/unmanned-aerial-vehicles-uav-news/aai-flys-heavily-modified-shadow-m2-sttb-uavs/ |date=12 October 2011 }}, 6 August 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2011.</ref> and began flight testing in August 2012.<ref>Gourley, Scott. [http://www.shephardmedia.com/news/uv-online/auvsi-2012-aai-textron-begins-shadow-m2-flight-tes/ "AAI Textron begins Shadow M2 flight tests"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003011055/http://www.shephardmedia.com/news/uv-online/auvsi-2012-aai-textron-begins-shadow-m2-flight-tes/ |date=3 October 2013 }} ''Shephard Media'', 9 August 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.</ref> The Shadow M2 has a conformal blended body that reduces drag, wingspan increased to {{convert|25|ft|m|abbr=on}}, and is {{convert|120|lb|kg|abbr=on}} heavier.  It can fly for 16 hours at altitudes up to {{convert|18000|-|20000|ft|m|abbr=on}}. Its endurance and service ceiling are comparable to Group 4 UASs like the [[MQ-1 Predator]], so the company is pitching the M2 as a budget-conscious alternative to larger unmanned aircraft.<ref name="auto1">[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/aai-unveils-shadow-m2-363307/ AAI unveils Shadow M2] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702095151/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/aai-unveils-shadow-m2-363307/ |date=2 July 2015 }} – Flightglobal.com, 17 October 2011</ref><ref name="auto">[http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2011-10-24/aai-unveils-larger-more-capable-shadow AAI Unveils Larger, More Capable Shadow] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702163538/http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2011-10-24/aai-unveils-larger-more-capable-shadow |date=2 July 2015 }} – Ainonline.com, 24 October 2011</ref><ref name="auto2">[http://archive.defensenews.com/article/20140115/C4ISRNET08/301150027/Army-s-Shadow-UAS-gets-upgrades Army's Shadow UAS gets upgrades]{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}  – Defensenews.com, 15 January 2014</ref>

It has a greater payload to carry [[synthetic aperture radar]] (SAR), wide-area surveillance, navigation, [[signals intelligence]], and [[electronic warfare]] packages.  It also has the ability to be controlled beyond line-of-sight through a SATCOM link. Although the M2 uses the same internal components as the RQ-7B Shadow 200 and is compatible with existing support equipment and ground infrastructure, its greater weight necessitates changes to the existing launcher.<ref name="auto1"/><ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto2"/> The Shadow M2 uses 80-85 percent of the components of the Shadow V2, while allowing for an additional {{convert|100|lb|kg|abbr=on}} of capability with total airframe weight increased to {{convert|720|lb|kg|abbr=on}}.<ref>[http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/show-daily/aaaa/2016/04/28/textron-eyes-next-gen-shadow-long-distance-surveillance/83686606/ Textron Eyes Next-Gen Shadow Drone With Greater Payload] - Defensenews.com, 29 April 2016</ref>

In June 2017, Textron introduced the '''Nightwarden''' TUAS as a production-ready model of the developmental Shadow M2, the change in name due to significant improvements and enhancements to the system such as greater flexibility and combat capability, SATCOM features, and enhanced command-and-control. The aircraft has a range of {{convert|1100|km|mi|abbr=on}}, maximum speed of {{convert|90|knot|mph km/h}}, endurance of 15 hours, can fly at an altitude of {{convert|16000|ft|m|abbr=on}}, and has a maximum takeoff weight of {{convert|750|lb|kg|abbr=on}} with a dual-payload bay with a capacity of {{convert|130|lb|kg|abbr=on}}.<ref>[http://airrecognition.com/index.php/archive-world-worldwide-news-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-military-defence-industry/defense-security-exhibitions-news/air-show-2017/paris-air-show-2017-news-coverage-report/3560-paris-air-show-2017-textron-systems-introduces-nightwarden-tactical-uas.html Textron Systems introduces Nightwarden Tactical UAS] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626195628/http://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/archive-world-worldwide-news-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-military-defence-industry/defense-security-exhibitions-news/air-show-2017/paris-air-show-2017-news-coverage-report/3560-paris-air-show-2017-textron-systems-introduces-nightwarden-tactical-uas.html |date=26 June 2017 }} - Airrecognition.com, 22 June 2017</ref><ref>[http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2017/6/19/textron-unveils-new-tactical-unmanned-aircraft Textron Unveils New Tactical Unmanned Aircraft at Paris Air Show] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623163319/http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2017/6/19/textron-unveils-new-tactical-unmanned-aircraft |date=23 June 2017 }} - Nationaldefensemagazine.org, 19 June 2017</ref>