Background

The Tadei MQ-22 Rapid II is a Federation remotely piloted aircraft built by Tadei Technologies that was used primarily by the Royal Iridium Federation Air Service and Iridium Central Intelligence Service (ICIS). Initially conceived in the early 1990s for aerial reconnaissance and forward observation roles, the Rapid carries cameras and other sensors. It was modified and upgraded to carry and fire four Hellfire missiles or other munitions. The aircraft entered service in 1994.

The RQ-22 Rapid is a "Tier II" MALE UAS (medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft system). The UAS consists of four aircraft or "air vehicles" with sensors, a ground control station (GCS), and a primary satellite link communication suite. The UAS can fly up to 900km to a target, loiter overhead for 14 hours, then return to its base.

The MQ-22 Rapid II is a remotely piloted aircraft used for offensive operations by the RIFAS and ICIS. Because offensive uses of the Rapid are classified by the Federation, military officials have reported an appreciation for the intelligence and reconnaissance-gathering abilities of RPAs but declined to publicly discuss their offensive use.

Civilian applications for drones have included border enforcement and scientific studies, and to monitor wind direction and other characteristics of large forest fires.

The Royal Federation Aviation Administration issued a certificate of authorization which will allows the aircraft to be used within Federation civilian airspace to search for survivors of disasters. The Rapid's infrared camera and electro-optical systems with digitally enhanced zoom has the capability of identifying the infrared signature of a human body from an altitude of 16,000ft, making the aircraft an ideal search and rescue tool.

Controls

Movement

-Normal Plane Controls
-Throttle Accelerates

Weapons

-FireWeapons launches Hellfire missiles