The RQ-7B Shadow unmanned aircraft system conducted its first-ever test flight June 21 under the direction of Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division’s UAS Test Directorate at Webster Field.

PMA-263’s Shadow flew 6.3 hours in support of the Wide Focal Plane Array Camera (WFPAC) payload development effort. The WFPAC payload is an alternative to the existing electro optic/infrared payload turret currently installed on the Shadow and provides persistent surveillance capability over a wide search area.

Initial flight testing of the WFPAC payload at Webster Field is set for September. Other upcoming flight tests for the Shadow include integration and test of the Software Reprogrammable Payload, UHF Communications Relay integration and test and notched flap testing.

The RQ-7B Shadow is currently operated by U.S. Marine Corps unmanned aerial vehicle squadrons in Afghanistan. These Marine Corps squadrons also operated Shadow in Iraq.

The Shadow has flown more than 25,000 flight hours since it was fielded in May 2007.