AQUILA ON THE TEST STAND

Lockheed Missiles & Space Company developed the Aquila (Latin for "Eagle") remotely piloted vehicle system for the U.S. Army Aviation Research and Development Command. Aquila's primary mission was real time target acquisition, but it was also capable of reconnaissance, target designation, ordnance guidance and damage assessment. Lockheed built 23 RPVs, each of which could carry a fully controllable video camera, a miniature laser for target location and designation. The program concluded after 218 flights were logged.