{{Short description|Type of aircraft}} {{Infobox aircraft | name = AeroVironment T-20 | logo = | logo_size = | image = Arcturus T-20 UAV in flight Aug 2011.jpg | alt = | caption = T-20 with ISR camera extended [[Camp Roberts, California]] | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = Runway independent tactical reconnaissance UAV | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = | manufacturer = [[AeroVironment]] | design_group = | designer = | builder = | issuer = | status = | owners = | primary_user = [[United States Armed Forces|US military]] | more_users = [[Ukraine]] [[Armed Forces of Ukraine|military]]<br/>[[Taiwan]] [[Coast Guard Administration (Taiwan)|CGA]] | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = 200 + Delivered/more Planned | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = 2009 | retired = | first_flight = January 28, 2009, Edwards Air Force Base | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }}
The '''AeroVironment T-20''' [[unmanned aerial vehicle]] (UAV) (formerly '''Arcturus T-20''') is a medium range, composite aircraft capable of internal and external [[payload]]s. Launched from a portable catapult, it can be recovered with a shipboard landing system, or belly land on unimproved surfaces. The T-20 carries a retractable [[gimbal]]-mounted, digitally stabilized, [[Electro-optics|electro-optical]]/[[infrared]] (EO/IR) camera that relays video in real time via a [[C band (IEEE)|C-band]] LOS data link to the [[UAV ground control station|ground control station]] (GCS). Powered by a 4-stroke, fuel injected gasoline engine, the aircraft burns {{cvt|2|lb|g}} of fuel per hour at cruise. [[AeroVironment|AeroVironment, Inc.]] acquired ''Arcturus UAV'', the original developer of '''JUMP 20''' and T-20 on February 22, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Judson|first=Jen|date=2021-01-15|title=Aerovironment buys Arcturus UAV in $405M deal|url=https://www.defensenews.com/land/2021/01/15/aerovironment-buys-arcturus-uav-405m-deal/|access-date=2022-01-26|website=Defense News|language=en}}</ref>
==Development== [[Image:Arcturus T-20 Wing Payload.JPG|right|thumb|T-20 ready to launch at [[Camp Roberts, California]]]]
The T-20 was developed in 2009 in [[Rohnert Park, California]] as an [[Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance|Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance]] platform with payload capacity for a gimbal camera, and wing mounted drop pods. Flight testing of the prototype T-20 was completed at [[Edwards Air Force Base]] in February 2009. The first air drop test was completed in August 2009 at Camp Roberts California with payloads provided by the [[Naval Postgraduate School]]. October 2009 The T-20 flew air drops at the 2009 Precision Airdrop Technology Conference and Demonstration (PATCAD)<ref>Precision Airdrop Technology Conference and Demonstration July 2009 NATICK website</ref> at [[Yuma Proving Ground]] in support of the [[Naval Postgraduate School]] Snowflake<ref>Hennings, E:"Aerodynamic Decelerator Systems", Aerospace America page 8 December 2009</ref> guided para foil.
In March 2012, the [[Naval Air Systems Command]] (NAVAIR) included the T-20 UAV in multi-award IDIQ contract N00019-12-D-0010<ref>US Dept. of Defense website, February 29, 2012</ref> for ISR Services.
In California on October 24, 2012, the T-20 made aviation history as the first unmanned aerial vehicle to detect and avoid a general aviation manned aircraft using an [[Automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast|ADS-B]] transponder. The event was sponsored by the Cascade Chapter of [[AUVSI]].<ref>AUVSI News October 24, 2012 article by Brett Davis</ref>
In August 2013, the T-20 flew to an altitude of {{convert|23500|ft}} with no special modifications. The previous altitude record for the T-20 was {{convert|15000|ft}}. The aircraft flew for eight hours before landing.<ref>[http://www.suasnews.com/2013/08/24419/t-20-uav-reaches-high-altitude-mark/ T-20 UAV Reaches High Altitude Mark] - sUASNews.com, August 12, 2013</ref>
The T-20 and JUMP 20 are used extensively with the Mexican Navy.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}} The T-20 is also operated by the Turkish government.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}
==Design== The T-20 does not require an airfield to operate and lands on dirt, grass, desert, or gravel roads. The internal payload bay ({{convert|11|x|11|x|36|in|cm|disp=or|abbr=on}}) allows for [[sensor array]]s to be pre-assembled on payload pallets that attach from the bottom of the aircraft. The T-20 system includes three aircraft, ground control station, portable launcher, and support trailer for equipment and personnel. The airframe is entirely composite with complex wet wings tested to stresses of {{cvt|10|g-force|m/s2}}.
==Operational history== On 18 August 2022, the [[U.S. Army]] selected the AeroVironment Jump 20, the [[vertical takeoff and landing]] version of the T-20, as part of the first increment of the Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS). This was part of an effort started in 2018 to replace the [[RQ-7 Shadow]] with a drone that was runway independent, had a lower acoustic signature and had lower equipment requirements to transport. The Army awarded AeroVironment an $8 million contract to provide one Jump 20 system, which consists of six air vehicles, ground data terminals and ground control stations for one [[brigade combat team]]; up to seven more systems could be acquired. Increment one of the FTUAS was meant to immediately meet operational units' needs, while increment two would rely on a separate competitive acquisition.<ref>[https://www.defensenews.com/land/2022/08/19/army-taps-aerovironments-jump-20-to-replace-shadow-uas/ Army taps AeroVironment’s Jump 20 to replace Shadow unmanned system]. ''[[Defense News]]''. 18 August 2022.</ref><ref>[https://breakingdefense.com/2022/08/aerovironment-wins-first-increment-of-armys-future-tactical-drone-competition/ AeroVironment wins first increment of Army’s future tactical drone competition]. ''Breaking Defense''. 19 August 2022.</ref> The Army received the first system on 12 September 2022.<ref>[https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_october_2022_global_security_army_industry/us_army_receives_first_aerovironment_ftuas_future_tactical_unmanned_aircraft_system_increment_1_system.html US Army receives first AeroVironment FTUAS Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System Increment 1 system]. ''Army Recognition''. 7 October 2022.</ref> AeroVironment was eliminated from the second increment of the FTUAS program in May 2023.<ref>[https://www.defensenews.com/newsletters/unmanned-systems/2023/05/24/army-eliminates-aerovironment-from-future-tactical-uas-competition/ Army eliminates AeroVironment from future tactical UAS competition]. ''[[Defense News]]''. 24 May 2023.</ref>
On 24 February 2023, one year since the start of the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]], the Jump 20 was included in an American aid package for Ukraine. As part of the [[Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative]] (USAI), it will be bought from the manufacturer and be delivered in late spring or later.<ref>[https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2023/02/24/us-vows-to-send-more-drones-aid-to-ukraine-on-wars-anniversary/ US vows to send more drones, aid to Ukraine on war’s anniversary]. ''[[Defense News]]''. 24 February 2023.</ref><ref>[https://breakingdefense.com/2023/02/marking-one-year-of-ukraine-war-us-pledges-2b-in-weapons-including-new-drone-types/ Marking 1 year of Ukraine war, US pledges $2B in weapons, including new drone types]. ''Breaking Defense''. 24 February 2023.</ref><ref>[https://www.airandspaceforces.com/cutting-edge-drones-headed-to-ukraine-in-latest-us-aid/ Cutting-Edge Drones Headed to Ukraine in Latest US Aid]. ''Air & Space Forces Magazine''. 26 February 2023.</ref>
In 2023 a JUMP 20 system was delivered to the [[Coast Guard Administration (Taiwan)]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Li-yun |first1=Huang |last2=Yang-yu |first2=Wang |last3=Cheng-chung |first3=Wang |last4=Shen-hung |first4=Wu |last5=Kao |first5=Evelyn |title=DEFENSE/Taiwan obtains U.S. Jump 20 drone to strengthen maritime security: CGA |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202306260016 |website=focustaiwan.tw |date=26 June 2023 |publisher=Focus Taiwan |access-date=26 June 2023}}</ref>
==Variants== Variations of the T-20 are the Block I (Carburettor) and Block II (Fuel Injected).
There is also a VTOL version known as JUMP 20, which participated in FTUAS program of [[US Army]] and is currently deployed within the [[Coast Guard Administration|Taiwanese CGA]]. <!-- ==Operators== -->
==Specifications== {{Aircraft specs |ref=AeroVironment T-20 UAV<ref>[https://www.avinc.com/uas/t-20] AeroVironment T-20 UAV, January 26, 2022</ref> |prime units? = imp |crew=2 man ground crew |length m=2.9 |length ft=9 |length in=5 |span m=5.3 |span ft=17 |span in=6 |height m=1 |height ft=3.0 |empty weight kg=50 |empty weight lb=110 |gross weight kg=84 |gross weight lb=185 |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name= 1 Aviation Gasoline [[Avgas]] 110 LL 4 stroke internal combustion, 190cc |eng1 kw=7.5 |eng1 hp=10 |max speed kmh=139 |max speed mph=86 |cruise speed kmh=111 |cruise speed kts=60 |range km=185 |range miles=115 |range note=range from nearest transmitter connected to operator |endurance=24+ hours |ceiling m= |ceiling ft=15000 |ceiling note= (rated); {{cvt|25,000|ft|m}} (proven) }}
==See also== {{aircontent| |related= |similar aircraft= * [[AAI RQ-7 Shadow]] * [[Boeing Insitu RQ-21 Blackjack]] * [[Boeing Insitu ScanEagle]] |lists= * [[List of active United States military aircraft]] |see also= * [[AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma]] * [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|Unmanned Aerial Vehicle]] * [[Unmanned combat aerial vehicle]] }}
==References== *''This article contains material that originally came from the web article [https://web.archive.org/web/20120223101100/http://www.auvsi.org/AUVSI/News/ ''Sagetech, Arcturus Team to Demonstrate Joint Ops With ADS-B''] by Brett Davis, October 24, 2012, which exists in the Public Domain.'' *''This article contains material that originally came from the web article [https://archive.today/20121212205846/http://www.jber.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123098843/ ''Arcturus Unmanned Aerial Vehicle''] by Marine Sgt. Rocky Smith, which exists in the Public Domain.'' *''This article contains material that originally came from the web article {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110902194407/http://www.vectorsite.net/twuav.html ''Unmanned Aerial Vehicles'']}} by Greg Goebel, which exists in the Public Domain.'' *''This article contains material that originally came from the web article [http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/technology_news/4324278.html ''Pentagon to Test Guided Parachute Drops From UAVs''] by PM Staff June 2009, which exists in the Public Domain.'' {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} * [http://www.popularmechanics.com/flight/drones/videos/a7030/arcturus-uav-t-20-video-28968506001/ Popular Mechanics T-20 UAV] * [https://www.avinc.com/uas/t-20 AeroVironment T-20] * [https://www.avinc.com/uas/jump-20 AeroVironment Jump 20]
{{AeroVironment aircraft}}
[[Category:2000s United States military reconnaissance aircraft]] [[Category:Unmanned aerial vehicles of the United States]] [[Category:Arcturus aircraft|T-20]] [[Category:AeroVironment aircraft|T-20]] [[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]