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United States Boeing
ScanEagle
A small, catapult-launched long-endurance reconnaissance drone developed by Insitu (a Boeing subsidiary), widely used by the US Navy and Marine Corps as well as many allied and commercial operators for over-the-horizon ISR. Recovered via a skyhook wire-capture system rather than a runway.
In service since 2004 · 20 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
148
km/h
100
km range
5,950
m ceiling
Pricing: Unit cost not publicly disclosed; typically procured as a service/system package
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
US ITAR-controlled
Export needs U.S. State Dept (DDTC) approval; end-use & re-transfer restrictions apply.
Channel: Foreign Military Sales (FMS) or Direct Commercial Sale
Fielded & proven
Widely fielded · 20 operators
In service since 2004. Status: active · ~2,000 built.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
| Max speed Maximum level speed. For aircraft this is at optimal altitude; for ground vehicles, top road speed. Higher means faster response and better kinematic performance. | 148 km/h |
|---|---|
| Cruise speed Sustained economical speed. Determines transit time to station. | 92 km/h |
| Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence. | 100 km |
| Service ceiling Maximum operating altitude. Higher gives energy advantage and sensor horizon. | 5,950 m |
| Endurance Time on station. Critical for UAVs and patrol platforms, higher means longer persistent coverage. | 24 h |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 1.55 m |
|---|---|
| Wingspan Wingtip-to-wingtip span. | 3.1 m |
| Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor. | 22 kg |
| Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity. | 0 |
Propulsion
Engine, power and fuel.
| Engine Powerplant model and type. | 2-stroke piston engine |
|---|---|
| Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet… | Piston, pusher propeller, catapult-launched |
Sensors & avionics
Radar, sensor suite and datalinks.
| Sensors IRST, EO/IR turrets, laser designators, sniper pods, thermal sights. | Electro-optical/infrared gimbaled camera payload |
|---|---|
| Datalink Network connectivity: Link 16, MADL, national datalinks. Enables cooperative engagement. | LOS datalink |
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
| Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability. | 2,000 |
|---|---|
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 20 |
Specifications compiled from public Boeing and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.
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ScanEagle vs
CH-5 (Caihong-5) Frequently asked questions
What is the top speed of the Boeing ScanEagle? +
The Boeing ScanEagle has a maximum speed of 148 km/h.
What is the range of the Boeing ScanEagle? +
The Boeing ScanEagle has a maximum range of 100 km.
How much does the Boeing ScanEagle weigh? +
The Boeing ScanEagle has a combat weight of 22 kg.
How many crew does the Boeing ScanEagle require? +
The Boeing ScanEagle requires a crew of 0.
What engine does the Boeing ScanEagle use? +
The Boeing ScanEagle is powered by the 2-stroke piston engine.
What is the Boeing ScanEagle used for? +
The Boeing ScanEagle is a uav / drone typically used for isr.
How many countries operate the Boeing ScanEagle? +
The Boeing ScanEagle is operated by 20 countries.
How much does the Boeing ScanEagle cost? +
Boeing ScanEagle: Unit cost not publicly disclosed; typically procured as a service/system package. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
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