Royal Malaysian Navy takes delivery of 6 ScanEagle UAS

The Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) has taken delivery of six Boeing Insitu ScanEagle unmanned aircraft vehicles (UASs), gifted by the United States.

“Overnight, our partners with the TLDM took receipt of the first batch of six Insitu Inc Scan Eagle unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAV) which will enhance the Royal Malaysian Navy's ability to defend the country's territorial integrity,” the United States Embassy of Kuala Lumpur tweeted on May 7.

Insitu Inc won $48 million to provide 34 of these drones for the governments of Malaysia (12); Indonesia (8); Philippines (8); and Vietnam (6) last June.

The drones are being provided US’ Southeast Asia Maritime Security Initiative program aimed to improve the maritime domain awareness in this region.

The ScanEagle UAV is 5.1 feet long with a 5.6-foot wingspan. It weighs as much as 48.5 pounds and can carry a 7.5-pound sensor payload. The UAV can fly for more than 24 hours at altitudes as high as 19.500 feet, and at speeds to 80 knots.