MQ-19 Rondel

The is a UNSC drone.

Description
A small and easy to operate drone, the Rondel is the preferred drone for both anti-insurgency operations and milita use. Carrying offensive capabilities, observation equipment, high-endurance flight times, and a low build cost, the Rondel can be quickly rolled out and deployed.

The Rondel uses tried and tested technologies, with a turboprop engine, titanium-alluminide frame, aluminium alloy hull, a synthetic aperture RADAR, satellite uplink, and a sophisticated computer. Thanks to its design and small size, it is also resistant to RADAR. It uses a wide-area observation sensors that allow it pinpoint targets on the ground with precision not seen in any other units this size, and can even detect threats through dense environmental hazards, foliage, or in urban terrain. It carries four external pylons, allowing it to deploy missiles, and bombs, using onboard sensors and LASER guidance to ensure maximum lethality. Thank's to its light weight and reliable design, it has a high loiter time, allowing it to perform long range missions, or observe an area for long periods. It's onboard computer can autonomously launch, deploy, then land the aircraft, flying along a pre-arranged route, engaging defensive measures, manoeuvring, and loitering to observe. The Militia variant is fitted with a downgraded system that cannot autonomously engage, forcing it to be fired by remote operation. The UNSC's deployed version does feature this upgrade, and can identify, and engage hostile targets without a human operator.

The Rondel's home is flying over contested territory, in territories contested by criminal organisations, or Insurrectionist guerillas. The UNSC use it to patrol these territories and engage if necessary, while Militia units use it to provided much needed air support and reconnaissance, at a fraction of the system cost of an aircraft.