Editing IAI RQ-5 Hunter (section)

==Operational history==
[[File:MQ-5B Hunter.jpg|thumb|MQ-5B Hunter]]

In 1995, A Company, 15th Military Intelligence Battalion (Aerial Exploitation) out of [[Fort Hood]], TX was the first Army field unit equipped with the Hunter.  A Company conducted multiple successful training rotations to the [[National Training Center]].  Then in March 1999, they were deployed to the [[Republic of Macedonia]] in support of [[NATO]] operations in [[Kosovo]] where one was shot down by a Yugoslav [[Mil Mi-8]] Side 7.62mm Machine Gun. During the 78 days of the NATO led campaign, at least 7 Hunter UAV were lost.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/43995564 |jstor=43995564 |title=Successes include imagery of 'ethnic cleansing' evidence: DESPITE LOSSES, BACKERS SAY UNMANNED SYSTEMS EXCELLING OVER KOSOVO |last1=Dupont |first1=Daniel G. |journal=Inside the Pentagon |date=1999 |volume=15 |issue=23 |pages=1–14 }}</ref> During the 7 month operation, the Hunter was flown for over 4,000 hours.  Significant operational success in [[Kosovo]] led to resumption of production and technical improvements.  Hunter was used in [[Iraq]] and other military operations since then. The system was also armed with the [[Viper Strike]] munitions.

The Army's [[Unmanned Aircraft Systems Training Battalion]] at [[Fort Huachuca]], [[Arizona|AZ]] trained soldiers and civilians in the operation and maintenance of the Hunter UAV.

In 2004, the [[United States Department of Homeland Security]], [[Bureau of Customs and Border Protection]], [[Office of Air and Marine]] utilized the Hunter under a trial program for border patrol duties. During this program, the Hunter flew 329 flight hours, resulting in 556 detections.<ref name="dhs">{{cite web |url=http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/border_security/air_marine/uas_program/uas_presentation.ctt/uas_presentation.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/border_security/air_marine/uas_program/uas_presentation.ctt/uas_presentation.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title=Office of Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine, UAS Presentation |access-date=2006-10-31 }}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

A version armed with the [[Northrop Grumman]] [[GBU-44/B Viper Strike]] weapon system is known as the MQ-5A/B.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-155.html|title=Northrop Grumman (TRW/IAI) BQM-155/RQ-5/MQ-5 Hunter}}</ref>

As of October 2012, the [[U.S. Army]] had 20 MQ-5B Hunters in service.  Retirement of the Hunter was expected to be completed in 2013,<ref>[http://strategypage.com/htmw/htairfo/articles/20121030.aspx UAV Growth Continues] - Strategypage.com, October 30, 2012</ref> but Northrop was awarded a support contract for the Hunter in January 2013,<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/northrop-gets-new-hunter-uas-support-deal-from-us-army-381616/ Northrop gets new Hunter UAS support deal from US Army] - Flightglobal.com, January 30, 2013</ref> extending its missions into 2014.<ref>[http://www.suasnews.com/2013/01/20689/pentagon-awards-northrop-37-3-million-to-support-hunter-uav-work/ Pentagon Awards Northrop $37.3 Million to Support Hunter UAV Work] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928195246/http://www.suasnews.com/2013/01/20689/pentagon-awards-northrop-37-3-million-to-support-hunter-uav-work/ |date=2015-09-28 }} - SUASNews.com, January 23, 2013</ref>

On 7 October 2013, the U.S. Army opened a UAS facility at Vilseck Army Airfield in Germany.  A letter of agreement between the U.S. and Germany allows the [[Joint Multinational Command Training Center|7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command]] to use two ‘air bridges’ in the east of the country to train operators, marking the first time a U.S. UAV will fly beyond the limits of military training areas.  Two unarmed MQ-5B Hunters were used solely for training drone operators.<ref>[http://www.armyrecognition.com/october_2013_defense_industry_military_news_uk/u.s.army_opens_new_unmanned_aerial_system_facility_at_vilseck_army_airfield_in_germany_1010133.html United States Army opens new Unmanned Aerial System facility at Vilseck Army Airfield in Germany] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015022820/http://www.armyrecognition.com/october_2013_defense_industry_military_news_uk/u.s.army_opens_new_unmanned_aerial_system_facility_at_vilseck_army_airfield_in_germany_1010133.html |date=2013-10-15 }} - Armyrecognition.com, 10 October 2013</ref>

From 1996 to January 2014, the MQ-5B Hunter unmanned aerial system flew over 100,000 hours with the U.S. Army.<ref>[http://www.suasnews.com/2014/01/26963/northrop-grummans-hunter-unmanned-aircraft-system-surpasses-100000-combat-flight-hours/ Northrop Grumman’s Hunter Unmanned Aircraft System Surpasses 100,000 Combat Flight Hours] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116071127/http://www.suasnews.com/2014/01/26963/northrop-grummans-hunter-unmanned-aircraft-system-surpasses-100000-combat-flight-hours/ |date=2014-01-16 }} - sUASNews.com, 14 January 2014</ref>

On 14 March 2014, an RQ-5 was reported downed by a Crimean self-defense unit over Russian occupied Ukrainian territory,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.com/russia-says-intercepted-us-drone-over-crimea-arms-180430584.html;_ylt=At_B0i8Ttqvgrn8ZH8ESDpzQtDMD;_ylu=X3oDMTBsdmNodWplBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMzBHNlYwNzcg-- |title=Russia says intercepted US drone over Crimea: Arms group - Yahoo News |access-date=2017-01-14 |archive-date=2014-03-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318000910/http://news.yahoo.com/russia-says-intercepted-us-drone-over-crimea-arms-180430584.html;_ylt=At_B0i8Ttqvgrn8ZH8ESDpzQtDMD;_ylu=X3oDMTBsdmNodWplBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMzBHNlYwNzcg-- |url-status=dead }}</ref> although Russia did not substantiate the claim and the Pentagon denies it operated such a vehicle over Crimea.<ref>[http://aviationweek.com/defense/unmanned-aerial-systems-gear-contested-battlespace Unmanned Aerial Systems Gear Up For Contested Battlespace] - Aviationweek.com, 23 April 2015</ref>

On 16 December 2015, the Hunter flew its final flight in Army service at Fort Hood.  Since entering service in 1995, the aircraft had been deployed to the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan.  It was deployed to the Balkans four times between 1999 and 2002, accumulating 6,400 flight hours, and was the first Army UAS to cross into Iraq in 2003, proving itself for the first time in contingency operations as an intelligence asset to commanders at all levels and flying more hours than any other NATO reconnaissance platform.  One capability unique to the Hunter was its relay mode that allowed one aircraft to control another at extended ranges or over terrain obstacles.  By the end of [[Operation New Dawn (Iraq, 2010-2011)|Operation New Dawn]] in 2011, Hunters had flown more than 110,000 hours, its battlefield success clearly showing the value of UASs in combat operations as a direct result.  While Army operators transitioned to the larger and more capable [[General Atomics MQ-1C Gray Eagle]], the Hunter is being transferred to government-owned, contractor-operated units supporting operations overseas.<ref>[https://www.army.mil/article/160279/Soldiers_bid_farewell_to_Army_s_oldest_unmanned_aircraft/ Soldiers bid farewell to Army's oldest unmanned aircraft] - Army.mil, 21 December 2015</ref>

===International use===
In 1998, the [[Belgian Air Force|Belgian Air Component]] purchased three B-Hunter UAV-systems, each consisting of six aircraft and two ground control stations.<ref>[http://belmilac.wetpaint.com/page/IAI+-+Eagle+B-Hunter+UAV+(Unmanned+Aerial+Vehicle) Belgian Military Aircraft] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216155015/http://belmilac.wetpaint.com/page/IAI+-+Eagle+B-Hunter+UAV+%28Unmanned+Aerial+Vehicle%29 |date=2008-12-16 }}</ref> Operational from 2004 in the 80 UAV Squadron, 13 aircraft were in service in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://m.mil.be/fr/node/4881?mobile_domain_switch=0 |title=B-HUNTER UAV &#124; Belgian Defence |access-date=2020-06-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627025930/https://m.mil.be/fr/node/4881?mobile_domain_switch=0 |archive-date=2020-06-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The last Hunter was withdrawn from Belgian service on 28 August 2020, to be replaced by the [[MQ-9 Reaper|MQ-9B SkyGuardian]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2020/september/6535-belgian-air-component-withdraws-last-b-hunter-uav-from-service.html|title=Belgian Air Component withdraws last B-Hunter UAV from service|website=airrecognition.com|date=2020-09-01|access-date=2021-11-24|archive-date=2021-11-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124115722/https://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2020/september/6535-belgian-air-component-withdraws-last-b-hunter-uav-from-service.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>